Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board best way to get a permit

Hello,
I am new to CA and want to climb 14ers. What's the best way to get a permit at a moment's notice? I am thinking of climbing Whitney within the next 2-3 weeks.
Also, I plan to day hike it, how long should I plan?
Is camping easy to come by near the trailhead this time of year. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Chris

Chris, at this time of year there is no run on permits. All you need to do is walk in the Lone Pine Ranger Station and pick one up--during normal business hours.

So if I want to start climbing early, can I get a permit the day before? I understand I would have to do this by 6pm? If I start hiking after getting a permit at 8am in Lone Pine, if that enough time to summit and get back to my car before sundown? Thanks for help.

Normally permits are picked up the day before. If you wait until the day of your hike you won't actually start hiking until about 9:30 am. Most people, who are not very fast hikers take anywhere from 12-15 hours to get to the top and back. That means you would be better off starting early (like 3-4 am) so you can get down before dark. This time of year it is light for aobut 12 hours.

You can go to http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/availability/whitney.html and check permit availability (scroll down to the bottom for day hike permits, the top part is overnight permits). The site has not been updated since 9/6/03, however. And keep in mind that, as noted in other replies here, unclaimed permits for other dates may well be available at the ranger station the day before.

Good luck!

Training? What kind of shape are you in? If you are a couch potato start thinking about the Febuary Lottery for permits. If you are in good shape and are SoCal head up to San G Wilderness and give either the Vivan Creek Trail to San G a try or San Bernardino Peak Trail to SB Peak. If you don't have any problems with these you should be ok at Mt. Whitney.

Bill

Hey Bill,
Thanks for the concern about training. I have not climbed for 15 hrs before, but I have climbed many 14ers in Colorado (all class 1) and I did climb San Gorgonio last weekend and loved it. My main curiousity is that I have done lots of bouldering and scrambling in my home state of Minnesota but none of it was exposed (since the highest point is 1829 ft!). I want to climb all the 14ers (with no time limit) and wonder what class 3 really looks like, my rock climbing experience is limited to trad, usually with people more experienced than me. I am comfortable with taking risks, but won't cross over into stupidity.

Botanizer,

Greetings fellow Minnesotan. I did Whitney in July. Good luck on your hike.

rogue, according to the site you listed, the quotas for day hikes for the rest of this month and October are basically unfilled. I'm leaving Tuesday afternoon for Lone Pine, looks like I'm making a trip up the big hill without relying on "advertisers" on this board!

Thanks, Whitney and Half Dome, here I come!

HoYL, Note that the quota web site has not been updated since 9/6/03. That being said, I still think you are fine unless you plan to go up on a day hike on one of the next two Sundays! You can always call the ranger station. They will tell you what your chances are for getting a permit on the day you want. They're really helpful. Have a great hike! My turn is 9/28.

rogue since I am leaving Tuesday night and toss acclimation aside (until I barf) I will take whatever they have Weds Thurs or Fri. Sat and Sun are reserved for Tahoe and Mon and Tues are reserved for the cables on Half Dome!

Cya up there