Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Looking for advice for end of June

Just wanted to get some advice on hiking conditions the end of June. My husband and I summitted Whitney a few years ago early June---perfect conditions. I went with a group of girls last year in early June---crazy weather...never made it past trail camp. I know this past winter there was an extra amount of snow on the mountain, and there is still some snow on the trail, but wanted opinions about what we can expect for trail conditions the end of the month. If the weather continues to be nice...will crampons be necessary? Suggestions, please.

I'll second that request. I'm a first timer and heading up with five others June 22nd.

Right now conditions are changing rapidly due to a heat wave with temps that often remain above freezing during the night. My suggestion is to monitor this board closely, and watch for Richard P's trail reports and photos - lately he's been climbing Whitney every weekend.

Right now the route between Trail Camp and the Crest is the snowfield to the right of the switchbacks, but who knows in a couple of weeks? They're melting rapidly.

I'm wondering what this:

High Wind Warning
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
346 AM PDT THU JUN 10 2010

.A STRONG PACIFIC STORM WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA TODAY RESULTING IN
STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS ACROSS MUCH OF THE MOJAVE DESERT...THE
MOUNTAINS OF INYO COUNTY AND THE SOUTHERN GREAT BASIN AS WELL AS
NORTHWEST ARIZONA.

CAZ519-520-101900-
/O.CON.KVEF.HW.W.0008.100610T1800Z-100611T0600Z/
EASTERN SIERRA SLOPES-OWENS VALLEY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASPENDELL...WHITNEY PORTAL...BISHOP...
INDEPENDENCE...LONE PINE...OLANCHA
346 AM PDT THU JUN 10 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
11 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE EASTERN SIERRA SLOPES AND MAINLY
THE WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF THE OWENS VALLEY.

* WINDS: STRONG DOWNSLOPE WINDS GUSTING TO OVER 60 MPH OVER MAINLY
THE WESTERN FOOTHILLS OF THE OWENS VALLEY AND TO AROUND 70 MPH
IN THE EASTERN SIERRA SLOPES...ESPECIALLY NEAR CANYON OPENINGS.

* TIMING: THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON BETWEEN
3 AND 8 PM PDT.

* LOCATIONS: ASPENDELL...SOUTH LAKE...LAKE SABRINA...ALONG THE
WESTERN FOOTHILLS ESPECIALLY NEAR CANYON OPENINGS IN THE
OWENS VALLEY.

* IMPACTS: STRONG CROSSWINDS COULD CREATE POSSIBLE DIFFICULTIES
FOR TRAVELERS ALONG HIGHWAY 395 IN THE OWENS VALLEY AND FOR
THOSE ENGAGED IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SIERRA.
TRAVELERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR REDUCED VISIBILITIES FROM
AREAS OF BLOWING DUST IN PORTIONS OF THE OWENS VALLEY
ESPECIALLY WHERE THE HIGHWAY RUNS NEAR DRY LAKE BEDS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING IN THE EASTERN SIERRA AND OWENS VALLEY MEANS
THAT A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 50 MPH AND...OR GUSTS OF AT LEAST
70 MPH CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.
==========

is going to do to the snow conditions. I have a feeling that it may be icy this weekend due to the strong winds. Also, the forecast is for temps 20+ degrees colder than last weekend.

You can look thru my photo albums from the past few weeks to get an idea of the change from week-to-week. Someone could probably make a prediction based on it (although more possible snow this weekend would throw a monkey wrench into that).

Thanks so far...any future advice, trail updates, is greatly appreciated. Keeping my eyes on the other posts, too.

Question about tents- June 27th permit date.

We have a group of 12 headed up, planning on overnighting at Trail Camp.

Some of us have 4 season tents, some have 3 season. I realize that conditions can turn windy and crappy really quickly, but lets assume the weather is looking great for the night we are up there, are the 3-season guys going to be wishing they had 4 season tents?

Nope. Not if they know how to pitch them.

Same here, we're starting out on June 23rd. Wondering what conditions are like above Trail Camp and if crampons or ice axe are needed?

I notice many climbers are using crampons across the chute. Are the switch backs currently covered in snow? Thanks.

Everyone has a different level of comfort in the mountains. I am one who uses crampons, ice axe and helmet earlier and keeps them on later than most of my climbing partners. Only you can answers these personal safety questions.

Based on reports so far, crampons and ice axe would be in my vehicle in late June. I know they will be next weekend for Sierra trip that will take me to a summit 1,600' lower than Mt. Whitney.

Unless there is a monumental snow storm you will not need a 4-season tent, 4-season tents are more about snow loading than anything else. My current 3 season tent guys out tighter than my 4. I have had both out in 30+ MPH winds.

I know this thread is really not about tents...

but there have been times in the Sierras that because of dirt and grit blowing through the limited-protected mesh of my 3-season tent that I wished I had my fully buttoned-up 4-season. Could happen anywhere, tho.

I tried to summit just a couple days ago on June 11th. Cabled switchbacks were covered in several feet of snow and ice and forced us to turn back. Should have attempted the snow field straight up the chute. I would not recommend the switchbacks for at least a few more weeks as the snow is still pretty thick. Crampons still definitely needed.

That's one of the reasons I decided on a single wall BD Lighthouse. Lot'sa mesh is great when it ain't all that windy and cold.

Sierras are not like our East Coast humidity, but on a still night after a rain in Lyell Canyon or any "trapped" area along the JMT I'd rather use my meshy Big Agnes.

yep, my single-wall, limited-mesh Zeus EXO is good for keeping the dirt out, but traps the humidity in.

Ah, but it could be worse:
After three weeks of sitting in a smelly tent that looked like the interior of a broken washing machine, I finally learned that mountaineering in Patagonia has little to do with climbing.
Cameron Burns,
“Inside the Beech Forest”
Ascent, page 241

Harvey

Condensation has been an issue with every tent I have used, it is just a matter of degree. The only time I've had a major condensation problem with this tent was last September on Tyndall Creek, it was wide open and everything frosted up.

The tent is about as perfect a "one" person tent as you can get for the Sierra.

Ah humidity, that bane of my existence has been out of my life for 30 years...and I thank God for that most every day.