|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995 |
Not much snow at the lower elevation , but what we had is now turning to ice over night , shaded areas will have patches before the lake but south facing parts of the trail will be melting out until the next storm.
you can see rocks showing on the north section of Thor and looiking into the canyon (north Fork) very little snow but these conditions are not good since not enough snow to stay above the rocks and brush. Wind has been the normal problem also.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1 |
The Explore Act...? Did Inyo get money for keeping Whitney Portal Road OPEN all year???
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 496
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 496 |
How about we keep the WP Board about trip reports, general conditions, and NOT about political suppositions and opinions about government function?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995 |
Another dry fall some snow but not like years past Snowing north system moving in looks like Independence Keserage could be getting snow we most often are on the edge of the systems. Wind in the valley but warm so this system could be pushing system ?
So this is the end of our 36 th year on the mountain and 37 years ago my brother and I hiked up to the store. to place the 30 day notice of change of ownership for the beer license ,snow was close to 3 feet deep.
Been to a few county fairs and some hog callings nothing is like life at the Portal ,amazing amount of people with a story for each person .Many repeat visitors that did Whitney 30 40 50 years ago as a scout or finished a long hike and exited ,
Hope the winter brings snow early melt and no floods ,fires earthquakes or avalanches Hey that's asking a lot!
Happy Holidays from the Portal Crew
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 579
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 579 |
Doug, 37 years!!! We have benefited greatly from your experience and wisdom. Thank you very much! It is also such pleasure to meet your family at the Store. Strong work!
A couple of days ago Scott mentioned Trip Reports. As the Winter has left me mostly just dreaming of next year's outings on the Mountain, I frequently turn to the WPSMB Members Photo Album link on this Message Board. The hundred's of TR's on the link provide a wealth of information. What new outings should I attempt next season and how can I improve my skill set? It is very helpful to study what others have reported. Thanks to those who have contributed to this link over the years.
Happy Holidays to all and looking forward to seeing you on the Mountain next season.
Jim
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16 |
Hi, Hope Everyone had a great Christmas and Wishing everyone a happy New Year. I'M a little premature but thinking of heading up the mountain on the second of Jan and looking for a trail report. Weather shows nothing in the forecast as of now. Also is the road open or closed. We want last year on Dec 26th road was open but closed two days later when we came down. I believe there was more snow last year as we broke trail and made it up to trail camp. There was to much snow on the switch backs and champagne snow on the chute so just enjoyed being out and the Mountain. Thanks for any info.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995 |
Road shows closed at the bottom ,we have had melting and freezing so I think the road crew closed the road. Just talked with a person coming down high wind blowing snow he saw one other group that turned around today. Watch the Webcam the next few days to see. If we get any snow and look for spindrift off the ridge. We can get storms that don't make the forecast and forecast that say inches we get feet so be ready for a great trip or a turn around
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 6
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 6 |
On Friday, December 27th, I visited the area with the intention of reaching Trail Camp. However, due to extremely dangerous conditions (wind), I was only able to make it to Outpost Camp. At that time, I clocked wind gusts at 80 mph, resulting in a brutal wind chill. Additionally, the snow was very deep, further complicating the journey. The National Weather Service called for 5 inches of new snow the night before, but I measured over 16 inches of new snow just past Lone Pine Lake.
On my journey, I began at 7 AM at the first gate closure, navigating around the cones at the bottom of Whitney Portal Road (WPR). Initially, there were about 3 inches of snow at the portal. However, the snow depth increased significantly past the north fork stream crossing. I encountered tracks on the trail leading up to Lone Pine Lake, but I created my own tracks to the Outpost due to deep snow drifts preventing me from following the trail after the Whitney Zone sign.
As I approached the ridge before Big Horn Park, I had to remove my snowshoes to manage the steep slope. This resulted in some post-holing up to my waist, which was physically demanding. Despite these challenges, I made it to the Outpost around 11 AM, where I experienced extremely high winds that posed a safety risk. I found shelter there and took the opportunity to enjoy a hot drink.
I encountered two climbers near Lone Pine Lake and advised them to turn back. They were inexperienced hikers, and given the current conditions, it is not safe to attempt summiting Mount Whitney without mountaineering experience. After returning to my car at 3 PM, I spoke with another pair of climbers who were parked next to me. While they had some winter experience, they were unaware of the current weather situation. I recommended that they consider camping at the portal until the winds subside, as the extreme conditions could pose significant risks. I hope they took my advice to ensure their safety.
The trip was productive overall. My primary objective was not to reach the summit but rather to gather reconnaissance for future climbers. In the coming weeks, I expect the snow conditions to consolidate, which will make the route via the north fork more accessible for mountaineers. Additionally, I was able to capture some impressive footage and photographs during the journey.
Stay safe!
-Mike
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1 |
Nice to see additional reports...
You can't judge snowfall based on spin...and every winter a sl gets moved from west to east...because of those hellacious winds...farther up, with no trees for shelter, I'm guessing you'd see plenty of terrain with little to no snow...
I've left lots of clues in my photo albums (for the best paths)...having had the benefit of climbing with Bob R and Doug Sr over the decades...
Here's one suggestion...if there is enough snow, skip Bighorn Park and Mirror Lake by staying left as you pass the Permit Required Area...it's steep for a short while and then eases off for a relatively easy contour all the way to Trail Camp...but be careful in warming conditons as this terrain is prone to "Spring" Sloughs...
If there isn't enough for this altenative, I'm usually able to keep my snowshoes on by staying right along the "cliff wall" and using the trees to build confidence that I won't go too far if I lose traction heading up...and obviously, you can create your own short switchbacks to make it seem less steep...
Love that thrashing feeling when the snow is so soft that the snowshoes do almost nothing to keep you up...but if we didn't enjoy the suffering, we'd stay home and watch YouTube videos...
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 16 |
Thanks so much for all the Info. Happy New Year.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1 |
Can't resist one more post... HM Rd with the e-bike...had snowshoes in the truck...should have attached them to the pack...typical stay on top at times and fill the boots with snow too...forgot/couldn't find my gaiters... Here are a few photos: Lubken Canyon Rd Pano. The view from The Crossover. Probably could have ridden a little farther up the road, but I was down to 30% on the battery and 70/30 is usually what I'm willing to risk so I don't have to Hike-A-Bike... Made it up to the Administrative Area...concerned about daylight and fatigue...and no acclimatization... The road up... The area where the trail heads to Golden Trout Camp. I've been playing around with Waypoint Missions for the drone...there's really expensive software that makes it real easy...I do it manually with a few maps open to verify...even with that, I only made it a few hundred yards past Walt's Point (not Wilderness yet) before the drone hovered (too low to the ground)...The FAA is planning a Part 108 Certification that will aloow Beyond Line Of Sight Flights...I'm getting a little ahead of the game...(what else is new???)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 610
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 610 |
Excellent!!!! Great job Richard....sorry no Portal burgers for your accomplishment, but still impressive. If anyone is interested. The link below takes you to the California snow survey. The link is dynamic, updated daily or so. The Sierras, especially the Southern is below normal. https://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=dlysweqpaul
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 610
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 610 |
Oh, you need to start a 2025 thread.
Paul
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 15
Member
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 15 |
Mike, my wife and I were considering coming up in the next day or so to stay at Outpost for a little overnighter. Were you able to mostly use the main trail path in to reach Outpost? And would you consider it an absolute must for the snowshoes? The area I'm mostly thinking of are the switchbacks past LPL/Whitney Zone sign before Bighorn Park, if it's a mess getting up we'll just sleep at Lone Pine Lake. We love cold, as long as it's cold, I'm happy.
We came up just a few days before you did for a day hike, we turned around a little ways past the JM sign last week since we didn't bring any gear, but itching to go back up before any major storms dump up there.
I follow your YT channel btw, good stuff. Are you full time back on the west coast?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,384 Likes: 1 |
I'm going to leave that honor to Doug...just like last year... Here are a couple of GoPro videos from HM Rd: Horseshoe Meadows Road 12.31.2024Riding Down Horseshoe Meadows Road 12.31.2024This first is about 45 seconds of what the snow was like in the vicinity of Little Cottonwood Creek...the second is about 50 minutes of me coasting down the road...you'll have to be really bored to watch...I still don't want to start editing videos, so I leave them raw...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995
Member
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,995 |
Looks like you should get to Lone Pine Lake above sounds like snow is getting filled in and people are not using the trail, Last few days some hikers so you might fine tracks.
Colder in town at night warming up during the day 50's
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 6
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 6 |
Marmont John,
Yes. I am back in CA indefinitely. Living right next to the Sierra, so I can't complain! I just joined the Fresno County Sheriff's SAR team, so my climbing and rope skills will improve drastically!
|
|
|
|
|