Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mountaineers Route

I am planning to go up the MR in Mid May. Does anyone have any info about whether snow shoes are required for the approach hike up NF Lone Pine Ck or the actual route? I was planning on crampons/ice axe, but have heard there is alot of snow. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

The amount of snow is not the concern. The more the better really. This year mid May could still have good coverage above Lower Boy Scout Lake.

Most years in May when I have been up there, we travelled at first light. We never took snowshoes and were fine. That early in the day the snow was usually good and firm for crampons.

A few years ago (May 2003) it got really warm in May and the snow was soft and mushy, with postholing by 10:00 am.

That was the first time in May I wished we had snow shoes with us.

So hope for normal May temperatures, travel early and leave the snowshoes on hold.

Should I assume the same for the portal route at the end of May this year? Crampons, ice axe, no snow shoes?

On the topic of mountaineer route: How easy is it to hike this in peak summer - say July or August, assuming altitude is not a problem? I have heard a lot of MR but can't judge the degree of difficulty. I know this is a vague question but any guidance is appreciated.

I did the MMWT last year in a day and had some problems above 12000 ft.

Thanks....

The MR is not the main trail. It is much steeper sustained and you must cross the creek a couple of times lower down in the canyon on the way up and negotiate a severe cliff (severe only if you are a hiker and not a climber) on the way up.

If altitude bothers you, force fluids the night before you hike. I mean drink about a gallon (yes a gallon, not a quart) of water during the night before you intend to start. This will hydrate your cells and keep you acclimating. Continue to hydrate much more than you think you should and you will be find. Some find the use of vitaman E or aspirin as helpful when adjusting to altitude. But the best way is to drink, drink, drink. Then climb at a comfortable rate. This is not a sprint, but a marathon.

I did the main trail 10 years ago when it was much less regulated, and we walked for 26 hours round trip. Altitude was only a problem at first. At Lone Pine Lake I thought I would never move again, and an hour later I was back on the trail and had no problems after that.

This board and other sites have a lot of good information to glean that I didn't have 10 years back. The MR is not really a bad climb, it is just that it is a climb and not a hike. You must be prepared for some exposure and a steep slope, and carry appropriate gear for the terrain.

HalfDomeHike: The MR is for people seeking a greater adventure then what the trail offers. Much of it is just cross country (class 2) following a thin use trail. I personally would not do a one day hike up the regular trail, even with a permit. It is just too long, especially on the way down.

There are class 3 sections which do involve some exposure and hands on climbing.

There are many good pictures available and discriptions.

I took my whole family up the MR last year, including 2 nine year old twin boys. Of course I was there the whole way, telling them where to climb and what to hold on to. It helps to know where you are going.

http://client.webshots.com/album/221318818YvtQVK

Beach has some good links, which will help you fill in the blanks.

http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?t=126

HalfDomeHike, What in the world is the MMWT? I did a Google search and came up with... "Missouri Mormon Walking Trail" :-)

Steve: I think MMWT is short for Main Mt. Whitney Trail

HI Kashkraft, your pics really look like the kids enjoyed it. You're doing a great job taking them up so high nice and slow, they don't seem to get sick or bored. I guess you are one of the two donkeys accompanying the youngsters :-)

batman: Thanks for the tips.

Kashcraft: Thanks for the tips and the pics. Awesome pictures

Steve C: MMWT: Does stand for Main Mt. Whitney Trail. Your response was hilarious.. Thanks..

If I ascend on the MR, can I descend on the MMWT without a permit to return to the Portal? Thanks.

Yes.

halfdomehike,

You may be interested in this previous thread regarding overconfidence for first timers on the MR. I added my comments as well based on first hand experience. Please do not underestimate what you are getting yourself into if you decide to attempt the MR, especially without somebody that has done it before.

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002418

RKS,

Thanks for link to the other thread. I will definitely not attempt it alone or with people who have never done it before. The hike up the chute sounds scary. I will perhaps stick to my day trip on the MMWT since I was turned down for an overnighter.

Regards
halfdomehike

Best to do the MR the first time with someone that has gone before.