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Looks like my first 14er will be Mt. Sneffels in CO instead  Got the mail from them yesterday 3/27/08, but no space available for us. Will try again next year... You still have not exhausted Steps 5 and 6 in the Wilderness Permit Options. See the post last year on Unused Whitney Permits.
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Looks like my first 14er will be Mt. Sneffels in CO instead Roadtripper, Have to agree with V-Fred. Don't give up on it until you've exhausted the available avenues. If, however, you are not able to get a permit for this year, and since you're apparently going there anyway, may I suggest you look into making Longs Peak your first 14er. It's only about 15 miles round trip but it has nearly 6k feet of elevation gain and is otherwise just outrageously beautiful.
Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest. -- Mark Twain
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Boo Hoo got my denied letter in the mail yesterday. Any 4, 3 day passes between 7/20 and 7/30. Maybe next year. This is the 2nd time I havent got my pass. However, I have got them 4 times and made it to the summit 3 out of those 4. Safe hiking to all you lucky ones! Shirley
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You still have not exhausted Steps 5 and 6 in the Wilderness Permit Options. See the post last year on Unused Whitney Permits. I have climbed Mt. Whitney exactly 60 times in the last ten years, 44 of which were in the May 1 - Nov 1 quota season. Only once, for reasons that are immaterial, did I make an advance reservation. And perhaps a half dozen other times someone invited me to go along on their permit. (paul and ClamberAbout on this board come to mind.) I have never failed to get a walk-in permit on these ~37 tries. But the story gets better: One summer, a friend and I wanted to do an overnighter on Mt. Langley. But the Cottonwood Lakes quota was full. We said, we'll go in over Cottonwood Pass and approach it roundabout. But that was full too. So we said OK, give us a permit for tomorrow and we'll hang around. But both trailheads were full for tomorrow too. While we were discussing other options, the ranger offered that there were several openings that day for the Mt. Whitney trail, if we would consider that. So we did. As I recall, that was a July 4 weekend. So I'll add my voice to what wbtravis and VFred have been saying all along re. walk-in permits: Go for it. But it helps to know the best times of day to go into the ranger station, and I and others have addressed that topic in prior posts. This is an opportunity to mention that I cherish invitations to join others on climbs in the Sierra, especially Mt. Whitney. I enjoy meeting and talking and traveling and camping with people who are likewise enchanted with this mountain. Dayclimbs or overnight, it "machts nicht." But be forewarned: I will talk your ears off with Mt. Whitney tales and history. And you will come back from the trip, vowing to never treat the water again.
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Received a phone call from the Permit office on Thursday. Said they were having problems with my card. So I gave them the right number and was yold the postcard would be coming in the mail. Yea! Of course I just had to ask when...and he told me I got the first week-end of my choice. End of May - Hope there is still lots of snow.
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I just received my reservation form back and I will be on the mountain Sept. 1. Over the past six years I have gotten permits through the lottery system five out of those six years. I have five summits but this next one will be special. This past Nov. 27 I had a total knee replacement, and in two weeks I turn 61 years young. Hope to see many of you on the trail.  Bob
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I just got my "Dear John" letter from INF. Oh well. Maybe next year.
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You still have not exhausted Steps 5 and 6 in the Wilderness Permit Options. See the post last year on Unused Whitney Permits. I have climbed Mt. Whitney exactly 60 times in the last ten years, 44 of which were in the May 1 - Nov 1 quota season. Only once, for reasons that are immaterial, did I make an advance reservation. And perhaps a half dozen other times someone invited me to go along on their permit. (paul and ClamberAbout on this board come to mind.) I have never failed to get a walk-in permit on these ~37 tries. But the story gets better: One summer, a friend and I wanted to do an overnighter on Mt. Langley. But the Cottonwood Lakes quota was full. We said, we'll go in over Cottonwood Pass and approach it roundabout. But that was full too. So we said OK, give us a permit for tomorrow and we'll hang around. But both trailheads were full for tomorrow too. While we were discussing other options, the ranger offered that there were several openings that day for the Mt. Whitney trail, if we would consider that. So we did. As I recall, that was a July 4 weekend. So I'll add my voice to what wbtravis and VFred have been saying all along re. walk-in permits: Go for it. But it helps to know the best times of day to go into the ranger station, and I and others have addressed that topic in prior posts. This is an opportunity to mention that I cherish invitations to join others on climbs in the Sierra, especially Mt. Whitney. I enjoy meeting and talking and traveling and camping with people who are likewise enchanted with this mountain. Dayclimbs or overnight, it "machts nicht." But be forewarned: I will talk your ears off with Mt. Whitney tales and history. And you will come back from the trip, vowing to never treat the water again. I thought you'd would have used the non-quota Trail Pass Trail to get around CL/CP being sold out. I have a question for ya...If you have a Cottonwood Pass permit is it legal for you to hang a right at the equestrian junction and end up going up CL/NAP trail? BTW, we had a similar thing happen to us once, we planned on Big Pine Lakes on 4th of July weekend a few years ago but it was sold out. So, I said we'll take permit for the MMWT, making a funny...and was told they had plenty. We ended up taking a trip up to Bishop Pass area. I don't make advance reservations any longer for trips starting in the Inyo National Forest. If something is sold out there are plenty of great places to spend a weekend...and work arounds to get where I really want to go.
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I just received my reservation form back and I will be on the mountain Sept. 1. Over the past six years I have gotten permits through the lottery system five out of those six years. I have five summits but this next one will be special. This past Nov. 27 I had a total knee replacement, and in two weeks I turn 61 years young. Hope to see many of you on the trail. Bob Bob, Congratulations on getting your knee done. I had a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing done on December 10th. I haven't done much hiking for the last seven years due to my hip. I am planning a JMT trip to celebrate my recovery. It is too early to tell if I can make it happen this year. Best of luck with your new knee. avid
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I thought you'd would have used the non-quota Trail Pass Trail to get around CL/CP being sold out.
I have a question for ya...If you have a Cottonwood Pass permit is it legal for you to hang a right at the equestrian junction and end up going up CL/NAP trail?
I don't make advance reservations any longer for trips starting in the Inyo National Forest. If something is sold out there are plenty of great places to spend a weekend...and work arounds to get where I really want to go. The Trail Pass option was one that we were considering, but the ranger's suggestion seemed more attractive at the time. Your idea is not legal. On another occasion, also for Mt. Langley, the Cottonwood Lakes quota was full, so I asked about a Cottonwood Pass permit, mentioning that we would hike to the pass, travel along the ridge to Cirque, and then drop down and camp at Muir Lake. I was told that when you get a permit for a particular trailhead, you were expected to spend your first night's camp in an area consistent with that permit. So we--Dave G and I--ended up camping on the ridge near Trailmaster Peak, and continued on to Langley in the morning. It turned out to be a far better climb than our original idea. As you know, I don't make advance reservations for Whitney either, except in peculiar circumstances. However, I always have a Plan B if my original request doesn't work. And there are hundreds of wonderful Plans B out there! But I have never had to exercise them.
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Just checked this morning and got the hit on the CC for $150. Myself, my now 11 year old son (he summitted last year first time)and 8 newbies. Should make for a great trip. Fortunately I have been preparing my group for the last year or so and we are all excited and looking forward to the adventure. It will be nice to get back on the mountain, I haven't been up since I summitted Russell last August. I just need to find out the dates once the notification comes in.
Congradulations to those that got theirs and for those that didn't, don't give up hope. I went up 4 times last year including 2 overnights based on walk-in permits. Where there's a will, there's a way.
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Bob, I cherished the hike that I did with you and to everyone out that, take Bob along if you have an opening. After climbing the mountain with Bob, you will come back with grey hair and beard, much like Moses, full of Whitney wisdom and knowledge.
Now, having said that, Bob, this one is for you...... I have an overnighter for Saturday, September 13 to Sunday, September 14 for 6 hikers..... and I would love for you to go set the route and destination. Your friends would be welcomed...... but we can talk later.
paul
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Just got our acceptance and date in the mail, here in Ma.
We got the first date we requested, but the campground is full for the nights we wanted. I'm sure we'll figure something out.
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I got my first pick in the mail friday, june 30th dayhike with 4 people all of who are newbies. I was wandering what daypack do you all use for the hike i was looking at a little osprey or kelty just one that has a belt strap and good shoulder support about 1800cui(about right size i would think), also june 30th would you think crampons are necessary or warranted.
thanks
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Rejected!  Got the letter in the mail today. Looks like I'll be trying King's Peak for my state highpoint this year and reapplying for Whitney next year.
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Got my "Dear Backpacker" letter last Friday  . But I have to say I'm not surprised, as I was asking for 8 overnight permits, and only put in two choices of dates, both weekends, for end of July and beginning of August. My problem is that with such a large group, it's hard to be very flexible with the dates. So now I'm looking for a "Plan B." I will be checking for remaining reservations starting April 30, but will also be looking for an alternate destinations. The "walk-in" plan just seems too iffy, with a group of 8. All suggestions are welcome.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
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Nuke Sailor,
I think you're in the ballpark, capacity wise, for your day pack. On day hikes I use a camelbak that is between 1800 - 2300ci. I like the camelbak for the hydration so I don't have to carry bottles. I've had to use axe and crampons at the end of June before but you probably won't know for sure until a couple of weeks before your hike. I always bring all of my snow gear in June just in case. Easy to leave in the car. Even if I don't take my crampons I'll usually take Yak Trax for the cable section which will almost certainly be icy at the end of June.
Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest. -- Mark Twain
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I thought you'd would have used the non-quota Trail Pass Trail to get around CL/CP being sold out.
I have a question for ya...If you have a Cottonwood Pass permit is it legal for you to hang a right at the equestrian junction and end up going up CL/NAP trail?
I don't make advance reservations any longer for trips starting in the Inyo National Forest. If something is sold out there are plenty of great places to spend a weekend...and work arounds to get where I really want to go. The Trail Pass option was one that we were considering, but the ranger's suggestion seemed more attractive at the time. Your idea is not legal. On another occasion, also for Mt. Langley, the Cottonwood Lakes quota was full, so I asked about a Cottonwood Pass permit, mentioning that we would hike to the pass, travel along the ridge to Cirque, and then drop down and camp at Muir Lake. I was told that when you get a permit for a particular trailhead, you were expected to spend your first night's camp in an area consistent with that permit. So we--Dave G and I--ended up camping on the ridge near Trailmaster Peak, and continued on to Langley in the morning. It turned out to be a far better climb than our original idea. As you know, I don't make advance reservations for Whitney either, except in peculiar circumstances. However, I always have a Plan B if my original request doesn't work. And there are hundreds of wonderful Plans B out there! But I have never had to exercise them. I can see the folks at the Inyo not being to happy about my equestrian "short cut" but the should be applauding you for ending up at Muir not penalizing you for your hiking and climbing prowess.
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Bob R: "And you will come back from the trip, vowing to never treat the water again." I can attest to that. And, I never have since...
Last edited by ClamberAbout; 04/01/08 03:01 AM.
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