Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Seniors Group Climb Proposal

OK- it's the middle of January and permit application time starts in 15 days. Previous posts have mentioned seniors in their 60s, 70s and 80s still climbing Whitney. I propose setting up a date for a Senior Group Climb in late May or early June, round trip Portal to Summit to Portal in one day. I'm 71, live in San Diego and have sucessfully day summitted 5 out of 10 times since 2001. I have usually solo'd as my partners drop out as climb time approaches. I am a fair weather climber and would perceive this as a moderate paced hike starting after midnight and returning to the Portal however long it takes. Dates, logistics,etc open to discussion. Any interest- please respond.

I say ANYONE who is 60 or older should be given a discount on the permit fee or have the fee waived.

JASDIEGO, this is an excellent idea. I hope you have a lot of participants.

I'd be interested. Early June works better for me; will be at Shasta the end of May.

Don't know if "fair weather hiker" includes crampon use. First time I did it last year was June 21st, and still needed crampons thru the cables, plus one or two other spots. It was a low-snow year, might be more this year if El Nino predictions bear up.

I'm fifty-seven. At what age is one considered a senior and thus qualified for this hike?

Hey- this will be fun hike. I just picked those age groups as there were previous posts from seniors in that range discussing their experiences. You are welcome. No fast rules or anything- just trying to get some folks together for a good time.
John

I did the day hike last year for the first time at the age of 65. It took me a little over 16 hours with about 35 minutes or so at the summit. So I am obviously slow. I am quite interested in another attempt before I reach the "walker" stage, but I would rather do it much later - mid-August. My recollection from reading the posts last year is that it was mid to late July before the trail - particulary at the cables - could be negotiated safey w/o crampons. If anyone has different info, I would be interested in hearing it.

As frequent posters of this board may know - it's not essential that you get a permit via the lottery in order to climb Whitney. There are enough cancellations and no-shows to get a walk-in permit simply by going to the Lone Pine Visitor Center the afternoon before. You have a better chance by going on a weekday, and that may not be an issue for this group.

I am 52, hike like a man a bit older than that. Did it as an overnighter 2 Augusts ago. I would be game. No one will consider me fast. If we start right after nidnight I can see us using headlamps to get back to the car. We are not getting any younger :-) Could do a midweek.
Ron

Good idea, Bob. A group like that could also get pretty rowdy.

I don't know whether I can pull it off, but I'm hoping to do a one-day double this summer. I'll be 61 in a few weeks.

A ranger would be fine but no ringers

Try to get Rick Sanger. (He who should never be Spoonerised)

Hmmm... I guess at 58 that puts me in the AGS (approaching Geriatric Section) category

This sounds like a fun trip! There's no way I can make it down in June, though. I'll be heading south sometime in July/August (permit willing)... Laura has offered to lead a few of my family members up the Mountaineers Route - Woohoo!!!

I'll wait and see what the final date decision is... who knows, maybe I can tag on.

Wow-interesting response-guess we got a go! Date-when? Late May early June provides max daylight and reduced chance of thunderstorms but residual snow a big factor. Suggest middle of the week; and a show stopper is anything but sun and blue sky --unpredictable of course. Suggestions??
John

Maybe Father's Day? That's June 20th, a Sunday. Last year a few of us did it that day. I needed a walk-in permit which wasn't an issue as that's still early in the season, and there was snow above 12,500', which means there's less interest.

I googled "OPG" and they have a whole page to themselves!

Looks like the old dudes are taking over!

(old dude definition: anyone who qualifies for the $10 lifetime NPS pass. The oldest in the group get the official honorarium of "Old Dude" and he/she gets the honor of making important decisions such as do we call it "Tunnel View" or "Discovery View"..."Candlestick Park" or....you get the picture)

B

This soiree isn't limited to old dudes. Old dudettes are welcome too!

Bee, Do you covet my pass? old dude definition: anyone who qualifies for the $10 lifetime NPS pass., it's even part of my moniker........steve

When the reigning Old Dude of our group flashes his OD pass at the Oak Flat Entrance to Yosemite (where they practically recognize him on sight) we all bow our heads in gratitude....

B

BEE,,,, I L O V E my O.D. Pass, it's always with me and used often in the back country here in San Diego County, also last time up Baldy. As some older O.D. than me has described it......'It's the cat's meow'.
p.s. It works for everything, not just hiking/backpacking, as in Turkey hunting...........gobblllleeeeeeeeie.