Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board hiking mt whitney saturday

for those that have been up there this week, what do you think about bringing cramp-ons and ice axes?

Hurley,

I was up on Mon. You can look at the pics posted on the site and make up your mind. Also, my trip report is up as well.

I thought there were places that were sketchy, especially where the snow was melting and refreezing in the afternoon, such as going down the switchbacks or the drop from trail crest to the Muir trail.

It it were me, I would say bring them and worst case scenario is you don't use them. I'm sure someone will have more pics and feedback from trips this week. A lot will depend on if any snow gets dumped up there this week . . .

I would bring them in the car and decide when you get there whether to pack them up. If in doubt, I take them in my pack. I've lost track of the number of times that I've carried my ice axe and crampons up mountains where it turned out that I didn't really need them, but I always figure better safe than sorry (or worse).

Look at the pics posted on what site?

Me and a friend are going up this weekend and we are bringing our crampons and ice axes - would rather have them and not need them than the other way around.

Based on a post Ken made above a little ways, bring the axe and crampons with you on the hike. From what he's saying is that the switchbacks are starting to fill with snow. Both him and another poster are reporting that things are getting dicey with the trail freezing to ice in the afternoons.

Since two people have asked, the pictures are in this thread:

<a href="/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005235">MMWT 10-2</a>

This is a no-brainer IMO. They're a couple of pounds of cheap insurance that could save your life. Even if you only need them for a 10 yard section.

When you need them, you need them.

Expect the best, plan for the worst.