Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board What to bring up MR in June

Doing the MR in June with a friend new to mountaineering. He thinks we need a rope to rap back down and rap rings, climbing pro, a tent to bivy even for a planned long one day and back ascent, trekking poles, ice ax, crampons and heavy boots. Any vets out there know what we really need to take when trying to go light and fast? Any expert advice is appreciated.

You wont need a rope, pro, but I would bring ice axe, crampons, and be prepared to bivy. Here is an old shot of Whitney in June, a freek storm and bitterly cold.
http://community.webshots.com/album/108935711flGnqJ

Early June can have significant snowpack still. Early June can easily have deep snow above 10,000 feet.

This is a photo taken in late May in a dry year...looking toward the Whitney area from the Pinnacle ridge.

http://client.webshots.com/photo/215977132/270695379MbssdW

However, by late June the snow is less trouble....kind of mushy during the day and icy early in the morning. It can be very warm by June so the snow packs down good and melts quickly.

It kind of depends on how much continual snow we get over the next few months. Keep a watchfull eye.

I would agree with the Ice Axe/ Crampons. Depending on what time of June you will probably need them.

I think it's way too early to give you any useful information right now. I've climbed the MR in early June some years with snowshoes, crampons and ice axes and other years in a T shirt and light hikers. The temperatures and snowfall during the spring will determine the answer.

I usually bring a short (say 50') length of rope when climbing with inexperienced climbers in case they are uncomfortable on the E ledges or last pitch up to the summit, but you may not need it. You shouldn't need any pro.

While overnight gear is probably more than you need for a single day trip, I would strongly recommend good headlights in case you need to come down in the dark. I would not attempt the E ledges in the dark with an inexperienced climber. It's not a bad idea to bring some extra food and warm clothes in case you do need to spend a night on the mountain - there can be storms or even blizzards in early June (or any other time).

Thanks for all the helpful information. I have really enjoyed the rise of technology since I was the tallest thing in the lower 48 on 4th of July, 1995. Back then there was no email, I didn't know about the internet and info was hard to come by.

Now there is a wealth of resources, I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's Webshots sites with great photos of people adventuring. Thanks so much for sharing and being so helpful. I agree it is a little early to predict June snowfall, but am anxious to pack correctly and can't wait to get out there on good rock!

Going back to Whitney with a friend to show him what mountaineering and High Pointing are all about. Hope to knock off Boundary Peak as well while in the area. That will make High Point #33 for me. Thanks to Dennis Stewart for getting me into High Pointing. For those interested, visit www.highpointers.org.