Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board windows

Hello all,
A quick question regarding the windows.
I've read that some get the willys when crossing due to fear of heights and so on.
My wife is one of those.
Just for giggles, lets assume she locks up for a bit on one of the windows.
Is there room for other hikers to get around her easily while I slowly help her across?
It probably won't happen, but I'd like to be well prepared.

The odds are pretty good that if you don't mention them, she won't notice them. Most hikers, especially on that part of the trail, are going to be watching the trail and dodging rocks and will miss them altogether. Regardless, there's plenty of room (much wider than a sidewalk). You can search this board for more discussions on the topic, but I wouldn't worry.

Actually, in my humble opinion, if anyone has a problem with the heights/drops on both sides at the windows, they will have dropped out much sooner with the heights and drops on just the one side on so many other parts of the trail. I'm not trying to make a joke, but with the step-downs and switchbacks elsewhere, the situation at the windows is probably easier than some of the other parts.

Pat

Last year, we had a couple of people turn back after seeing the back side at Trail Crest (actually after hiking a few hundred feet down the back side).

I agree with the previous posts. If a person can make it down to the John Muir Trail junction without a panic attack, he/she should be able to make it make it through the windows. There is a lot to see in front of you. Just don't stare at them.

You are all awesome! Thanks so much for the information.

I have a distinct fear of heights. Great for doing passes and going up the backside of Whitney which I've done about 10 times. I was usually with two friends. One just got on the far side of the "walkway", and the other walked with me. Meantime I kept my eyes on the guy on the far side of the walkway, and put one hand on either side of each eye - like blinkers. You just don't look down left or right, and get across fast.

i actually turned around two yrs ago after seeing the other side of trail crest, i m not sure if i was panicked or my 11 yr old son was probably both, but we are going to try again july 12

I climbed it for the first time June 18. The switchbacks were still completely snow covered and I found climbing straight up the chute to Trail Crest in crampons much more unnerving (this may be partly due to a scary tumbler I took down a chute while skiing Squaw this past winter, which I'd rather not to repeat).

At any rate, after slogging up that long slope in rough, suncupped snow, crossing the windows was absolutely no big deal. Afterward, I looked at my partner and said, "Is that all?" The trail is relatively flat going across, wide, and stable (plus, no snow). You probably don't want to step up to the edge and look over, but otherwise the window factor is overhyped. Best of luck!

My video clips shows most of the windows and the trail next to. The first one (as seen on the video) is the one where one has to be a bit careful. The ramp across is about four foot wide, and unless there is snow or ice on it, should be no problem. On all others you'll actually have to go out of your way and walk/hike up to.

Click on the links below to watch two five minute videos:

www.hikealongvideo.com/media/MW9B.wmv
mile 8.5 (Trail Crest) to mile 9.5 on the west-side and The Windows.

www.hikealongvideo.com/media/MW10B.wmv
(mi. 9.5 - 10.7) More Windows, Mt. Whitney Summit

Like everyone else has mentioned, if you make it to the first window without a problem, then you'll do just fine at the first window. I believe that the cabled area on the switchbacks, and the 300 feet that you drop from Trail Crest to where the John Muir Trail joins the main Whitney trail are more intense for those who have a fear of heights. Next week when my group goes to Whitney, I have one guy who is slightly afraid of heights. I told him to walk slowing across the windows, look down at the ground in front of you, and even place your hands on either side of your eyes, like blinders on a horse. Do that, and everything will be O.K. Besides that, the windows are very short in distance.

Michael T.

I have a fear of height, er rather falling from them. Example, I hate standing on ladders to hang or change light bulbs or adjust ceiling fans at home.

The windows on the back side of the pinnacles were not a problem. For me, it comes down to having my feet on terra firma, the ground; not so much as the vertical around me.

This is not to say I enjoy hangin my head over or out the "windows", but looking down them briefly reminds me I am alive.

Don't sweat it and keep your eyes on the prize.

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The windows are only a problem when the wind is at a full howl. The are aproximately 4' to 8' wide and easy to cross. I have never seen anyone balk going across them. The closest to a balk was a woman sliding on her butt down to one of the <a href="http://image03.webshots.com/3/8/38/87/27383887ObIGtkcSvN_ph.jpg">windows</a>.