Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Frequently asked questions by first timers

Hi I have several options 1. close the topic, it stays on the board but I am not sure it will be able to move up like now.

2 move topic to a new forum with a link not sure that would make sense to first time members?

3 leave it the way it sits on the board and let it be edited by the person that posted ?

I forget to mention the search function on the board, very powerful now that the board has so much stored information ,photos trip reports links etc.

Hi Doug,
I think it makes sense having this be its own forum, since just about every newcomer will access the main page first (giving them only three options). It will help keep the Reports forum more focused on reports instead of having to sift through the "how do I's" "how far's" "what should I wear's" etc.

So that's my vote.... (though you or Fred can delete out all the superfluous posts---like this one).

A new forum would make sense to me as long as it is obvious that people should go there first. Nonetheless, a forum three would presumably be at the bottom of the forum list, and people could still be drawn into the reports forum. Would we call it the "Mount Whitney Questions and Answers" forum? Then you could change the Mount Whitney Reports forum to have a more specific description than the current one of "Mount Whitney Message Board."

As an alternative, I could set up my new topic with a notice at the top and the bottom to please not post on the topic and give a link to this topic for new posts. I also could give a link to the search function.

not a first timer - but i lost the link describing how to post pictures. could someone repost that info - i thought it was in this thread

It is in the middle of this thread and replaced an outdated trip report in July. It is topic number 003089 if you you cannot get the link to work (all you have to do is replace the 2363 in your URL line with 3089).

<A href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=003089">How to post</A>.

Here is my planned layout for a link table at the beginning of the new topic.</td><tr><td colspan="2">

<a name="Top2"></a>
<TABLE border="5" align="center">
<CAPTION style="color:red; font: bold 14pt verdana">LINKS TO POSTED SUBJECTS</CAPTION>
<TR style="color:#000000; text-align:center; font-size: 10pt"><TH width="25%">Before Planning a Hike</TH><TH width="25%">Developing a Trip Plan</TH><TH width="25%">Getting Ready to Hike</TH></TR>
<TR valign="top"><TD style="text-align:left; font-size: 8pt">

• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A1">Learn about the USFS Permit Reservation Process</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A2">Learn the layout of the main trail</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A3">Learn facts (and discern myths) about the "windows"</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A4">Learn more about altitude sickness</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A5">Pick up a book/video about the trail</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A6">Check other web sites</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A7">Decide on a good time of the year to hike</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A8">Decide whether to day hike or stay overnight</a>
• <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002363;#A9">Develop your pre-hike conditioning strategy and set your group limit</a>

<TD style="color:blue; text-align:left; text-decoration:underline; font-size:8pt">

• Prepare a USFS Permit Application
• Develop your acclimitzation plan
• Determine if you need campsite reservations at Whitney Portal Campground
• Make Travel Plans
  <UL>
• Picking an airport
  
• Using bus service
  
• Driving from the north
  
• Driving from the south
  
• Driving from the west

[*]Lone Pine Layout

• Main Street Stores
  
• Restaurants/Market
  
• Lodging

[*]Whitney Portal Layout

• The drive up from Lone Pine
  
• WP Campground
  
• WP Store and Grill

[*]Interagency Visitors Center</UL><TD style="color:blue; text-align:left; text-decoration:underline; font-size: 8pt">

• Finding weather reports
• Checking snow water content
• Hiking Equipment<UL>
• Trekking Poles
  
• Emergency Supplies
  
• Clothing
  
• Bear Canisters/Other Equip.

[*]Amenity Considerations

• Food
  
• Water
  
• Wag Bags
  
• Shower
  
• Cell Phone Coverage

[*]Get acclimated

[*]Develop a contingency plan</UL></TABLE> </td></tr><tr><td> <td>