Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board What is the proper clothing?

This will be my first time to attempt Mt. Whitney, and I wanted to know specificly what I should wear and buy for an overnight trip. I have had conflicting info. given to me about base layering with underarmour clothing, fleece vests, underarmour underwear, wool socks, nylon shorts....etc. Please help me out. I will be heading up the hill on Sept.20th. Thanks to all who can help me out!!

Sounds like you have it pretty dialed in already with the items you listed. Just stay away from cotton. phil

be ready for cold weather, these mountains can trun on a dime. Layers are allways a good idea. Be safe & have fun. Rembere you dont reach the summit until you reach whitney portal.

Here's a good start:

LIGHT OR MID WEIGHT LONG UNDERWEAR TOP AND BOTTOM
PILE OR WOOL SWEATER
HIKING PANTS
WATERPROOF/BREATHABLE JACKET
WATERPROOF/BREATHABLE PANTS
WARM CAP
FACE MASK OR BALACLAVA
PILE OR WOOL GLOVES
GAITERS
HIKING SOCKS
LINER SOCKS
T-SHIRT
HIKING SHORTS OR PANTS
BASEBALL CAP

If it's all color coordinated it'll look better for the pictures!

hi kurt what is pile, is it the same as fleece.
thanks mark

With all that Underarmor are you sure your climbing Whitney or are you getting ready for football game?

WOW this sure sounds like alot of stuff. you need to be smart with you put in your pac. if it don't have 2 use'es well well...you know. anyways tyhe most bang for the buck is what you want to put in your pac. I try to target a 35 lb. pac (havent done it yet)i put all i need in my pac, weigh it at the trail head and then start to negotiate with my self.So be carefull,be safe & dont forget to have fun. P.S. Remind yourself while your there that it don't get any better then this.

Instead of cheesy remarks how about some help as to what I need to wear and purchase for a overnight hike on Whitney...ie.clothing and should I use base layers?

Layers

If you tend to overdress or you sweat a lot, have a dry base layer to change into on top, especially if you plan to spend some time on the summit. If the wind is howling you can change in the hut. It had no door when I was there in July and it's usually open.

I have no experience with Underarmor products but I have had good luck with Capilene and even cheapo synthetic T's from Wally World.

Listen to Kurts expert list.

And ignore the weather report.

"Hope for best, prepare for the worst"

It's a big mountain, high altitude, fall season.

Yes, I've been there in a t shirt, but if it is 10 degrees and blowing with the first big cold snap of the season, then you will need all of Kurts list for sure.

Anglerdan, "WOW this sure sounds like a lot of stuff" is, well uh, cheaper than a casket.

I would monitor the weather report and dress accordingly. Whitney can have daytime temps in the 80's as late as Sept. 20, it's not unusual. But then again, you can have snow on that date. You won't know until the date approaches.

If the weather forecast looks good, I would not overpack and burden yourself with all sorts of winter gear. Naturally bring along gloves, hat and 3 layers of shirts, as well as a jacket. But if the weather has been great all week and is predicted to continue, I think the gear list suggested is too much.

A lot of it is also personal preferance. I hike in shorts and shirt sleeves when it's 35 degrees and feel OK, other people bundle up like Santa Claus when it's 80 degrees. Be prepared and pack necessary cold-weather gear, but don't lug 20 pounds of unnecessary clothing if the weather report says it will be 75 degrees on 9-20.

Good luck in any case.

I'm with Kurt and h_lankford. Our group hiked MT last year the first week in Oct. Used all pieces except waterproof pants, but had them along. Might not use all very long, but if you need them, you have them.
bumps

ChelseeMae: Yes use a layering system. It consists of three layers:

Base layer: The layer next to your skin. This is your long underwear (Capilene, poly pro, DriClime, etc.). I'm not sure what "underarmour" is but if that refers to your base layer then bring it.

Insulating layer: This provides your warmth. A good warm sweater (pile, fleece, wool, soft shell, etc.)

Outer Shell: For wind and rain/snow protection. Gore-tex or waterproof nylon. Waterproof and breathable.

None of us can predict what the weather will be like on Sept 20 so you need to come prepared. I will take an educated guess and say that temperatures will probably be cooler than what we are seeing in the Sierra right now. I just climbed Mt. Langley today (Monday the 4th). I started at 4:20 AM from the car wearing shorts and a button down shirt and put on nothing more until I hit the summit at 10:40 AM. Clouds had formed and the wind picked up so I put on a sweater. Give it another couple of weeks and I think more clothing will be required.

markjwpcp: yes pile is the same as fleece. The new material on the market is being called "soft shell". It all works well and satisfies the need for an insulating type sweater.

For more on layering systems here are a few links that all basically say the same thing:

<a href="http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-apparel/three-layer-system.asp" target=_new>Outdoor Clothing - Three Layer System</a>
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/6201/clsystem.html" target=_new>The Layering System Explained</a>
<a href="http://www.fieldandtrek.com/article-The-Layering-System:-The-Key-to-Staying-warm-and-dry.-tech_layering_system.htm" target=_new>The Layering System: The Key to Staying warm and dry.</a>

Hi Candace and Kurt, I am like Candace, skimpy clothes in 35 degrees...until I stop.

As for the weather report, the longer it stays good, the more likely it is gonna change! Kinda like wash your car and it rains!

Clothes: Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. We all compromise on this. Harvey

Thanks for those links Kurt...I know very little about the layering concept, but I'm going to try to do a good bit of hiking this winter, so now is a good time to learn and update my hiking wardrobe.

For the main trail where you do not need to use your hands to climb, mittens would be warmer than gloves made of the same material.

A warm cap, which covers your ears is very important for cold weather. You lose a lot of heat from your bare head.

This might be a good time to mention "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" again for those just getting into the sport.

There is much more to it than knowing how to dress.

It depends on the temperature in late September and when you intend to be on the summit...say like at dawn. Be sure to take some extra clothes for trailhead decisions.

Here's my base list for this trip...

2 - Hats, fleece and baseball
Travel Shirt...just what I am wearing up the trail
Convertible Pants
Wicking Undies...just what I am wearing up the trail
Merino Wool Socks and Liners...just what is on my feet
11 oz. 800 Fill Power Down Jacket
Windshirt
W/B Jacket and Pants
Windstopper Fleece Gloves

Add a 15 F sleeping bag because it does affect clothing I take.

What I might take with me for trailhead decisions...

Primaloft Mitts
Belay Parka
Power Dry Zip L/S top
Soft Shell Pants
Extra pair of Socks

I'll use whatever pants I am taking as long underwear bottoms and windshirt as a long underwear top.

In late September 2004 I stood on Mt. Whitney at dawn and the temperature was in the single digits, therfore, it was in the high teens at Trail Camp.