Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MMWT Conditions

For this coming Sunday or Monday (10/8 or 9) how do trail conditions to the summit seem for a one-day hike without crampons and ax (but with poles)? I expect cold, don't want to deal with ice. Thanks.

I'm thinking won't know until after Thursday's storm

Burt,

I went up on Monday and was fine when there was about 8 to 12 inches of drifted snow on the Muir trail and 4 to 6 inches on the switchbacks (pics coming soon), but nervous in a few spots, particularly descending the switchbacks and descending from trail crest. My partner was nervous enough between that and what looked like incoming storms that we turned around just short of the summit. The melted snow on the switchbacks was refreezing which made it a nervous descent.

I think Tomcat is right about the incoming snow. If it gets a big dump, I think you will definitely need the cramp-ons, etc.

Thanks for the absolutely clear post, Ken (Deathtrap). I get the message. I'll wait until next year. (Although at my age, 70, next year is always written with an asterick.)