Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board first timer training for whitney

No one is "hating" on ejsurfs. In August, anyone in shape and has a clue of what they are getting themselves into can summit this big mountain. In May and June of this year, comparatively very few can summit this mountain safely. Many of us are pointing out these differences.

This is not a hike this time of year, its a climb (from Trail Camp to the summit) and the there is a difference. It take a certain amount of skill to do it this time of year safely. You wouldn't put a 16 year driver on her first day out on I-5 at rush hour, would you? This is basically what ejsurfs wants to do.

I also would have concerns about the snow this year. I hiked up Whitney in late June of last year, and there were tons of snow. I stopped a little above Trail Camp. People were having trouble getting to the top. I didn't have an ice axe, and wouldn't know what to do with it anyway. So I turned around and got back to the traihead in mid-afternoon and had a great burger/beer. Awesome trip even without getting to the top. Have fun whatever you do, just be safe!

bradvocate, I'd say the cautions EJ has received have a lot more to do with conditions than conditioning. EJ's fitness is not being questioned, just his comfort level on a big mountain packed with ice and snow. As has been pointed out, the MMWT is not a "hike" in May or, often, even June. EJ has expressed that this will be a first for him, and most of the board members who've responded are simply looking out for his well-being (as well as those with him and/or around him).

As many, many others do, EJ came to this board seeking expert advice before attempting Whitney for the first time. He was honest about his experience level (some, regrettably, aren't), and the feedback he received appears to have sharpened his perspective. I applaud his approach to his May trip as a training/testing experience, with June being his true summit goal. Many others have asked similar questions here, then disregarded the resultant advice because it didn't jive with their self-image or grand plans.

For EJ, I see it as Mission Accomplished. I hope we see a follow-up trip report from both attempts.

EJ, my apologies if you're not a "him". I realized re-reading the posts that there's no real indication as to your gender.

Pictures, too, don't forget the pictures!!!

Show us how it's done, EJ!!!

If we can do it, you can do it.

And we will be more than willing to assist you.

ejsurfs:

San Jacinto is a great start. Take the tram to the top and then hike to the summit. Start early before the crowds get to the top. Fill out a permit at the ranger station (for accountability purposes).

San Antonio (Baldy). Summit Hut Trail. Manker Flats. Adventure Pass required. No hiking permit required.

San Gorgonio...Vivian Creek...Adventure Pass required for parking. Permit required for hiking. Rangers on the trail. Bearproof your vehicle. Watch for vandals. People known to break into vehicles. Website for questions: www.sgwa.org. Click on "Visit the Bulletin Board." Permit for Vivian Creek.

Mt. Baden-Powell...there's a buttkicker for you. 700 feet of elevation gain per mile. Four miles up, four miles down and 40 some odd switchback in between. Adventure Pass required for parking. No permits required.


Have fun...

Mt. Baden-Powell is a 1.35 miles to the summit this time of year, at least that is what the GPS said Saturday. The trail snow choked from the start and the slope is solid snow from about 7,400'. It's a fun climb up but its very easy to get off line coming down because do not want to come down the "trail". Getting back on line can require more than basic snow skills and local knowledge. Unlike Baldy or Vivian Creek there may only one or two groups on this mountain on the weekends.

I haven't been to San G/Vivian Creek area since December or the Baldy since the summer, so I can't speak to current conditions. San Jacinto is all snow but there beaten in tracks directly to the summit and Wellmans Divide.

If you want some company on the way to San Jacinto, join the San Jacinto Hiking Club on meetup.com. Someone has had a group going out almost every weekend since the snow started to fall. But this is a snowshoe trip, not an axe and fangs trip.

Bradvocate:

I can see where you are coming from a little as maybe it does appear everybody on the board is "preaching". However, I don't really see anybody "hating" on ejsurfs. I think you are just seeing some well meaning concern due to the conditions that might be found this year in May and likely even June. EJ may well be the fittest person in this discussion which is great and will certainly help him/her, but that still doesn't mean it would be prudent for everyone to tell EJ "don't worry about that snow experience thing...your fit so go for it". That would honestly be irresponsible to dangerous advice from the group.

I will assume that ejsurf does in fact surf based on his/her login name. Surfing is a great sport and certainly one that requires fitness, athleticism, and the ability to keep your stuff together when things go wrong all of which are very helpful in the mountains.  Let's relate this discussion to surfing. What if some extraordinarily fit person who had never surfed sought the advice of a bunch of surfers and told them that while he had very limited surfing experience, he was thinking about heading out at Mavericks on a big Winter day? I would imagine the surfers would tell him to maybe consider really checking out the conditions first before paddling out or better yet get some experience at a safer break.  Actually I grew up around a bunch of surfers and now that I think about it, they would probably tell the guy to "go for it" then sit back and watch the guy get worked.....(I am mostly kidding...vast majority of surfers are helpful folks too). Similarly, fit and strong athletes could get themselves in real trouble if they jumped in the wrong river in a kayak or headed off for some out of bounds skiing/boarding in a hairy area assuming they were technical novices in either sport.

My 18 year old son is very fit, athletic, and tough, but no way I would personally allow him to go up Whitney in May with say a buddy of similar experience just yet even though he has summitted Whitney once via the MR.  However, I  would let him go with one of his friends in August, (though I would probably try to get somebody to covertly watch him for me:).  Now assuming my boy had some good snow and ice experience/skills and wanted to go in May, I would tell him to be careful, use good judgement, and go for it. See the point? No hate here...just want to see Ejsurf or anyone else return safely and have fun.

The fact that EJ is likely a fit athlete, has taken a course, and has stated he is willing to back-off in May if the conditions aren't right is fantastic. You also need to be willing to do that on attempt #2 in June if it comes to that and keep that commitment in mind no matter how close you appear to be to the summit if the conditions go South on you. Like surfing...you got to know when it is time to get out of the water.

I've gotta agree with this last statement. Go in May and see what the conditions are, what your limitations are and how far you can "safely" go. Then talk, talk, talk to everyone you meet. Ask advice and watch what they do in snow and ice.

I've gotta believe there will still be lots of snow there in June, but the trail should be open, possibly ice and packed snow in some areas of concern (cables and other areas of switchbacks). I would make June my goal, take my time and most of all enjoy the experience.

Joe,

Everything depends on the melt. Last year, it was cold and that kept a lot of snow around late but not as late as 2006, when 4 of July looked May.

It is really hard to say what June is going to look like, I suspect it will be like May after mild winter. I do know there isn't near as much snow as there was last year in the locals. As an example of this, last year the 20' snag on Mt. Baden-Powell was totally covered with snow, Saturday about 14' of that tree was exposed.

I was up the North Fork in mid-March just before the last big storms. There was a bunch of snow but I would not say it was near record setting like up in Mammoth.

I disagree .... it is a hike
To OP:
You get what you get in a public forum. If you dig deeper, you will probably start thinking that "climbing" Whitney via MT is only slightly easier than Everest. People have different standards and they often tend to judge novices by their own standards. In fact, I know a few reasonably fit folks in their mid 20s who train really hard to "climb" the MT and still think that they are not quite ready yet ...

While I would never encourage anyone to try an alpine adventure that is clearly beyond their limits and skill level, i don't see why an athletic person cannot get up the hill via MT even in April or May. The important things are to closely monitor the weather conditions, monitor your own conditions and use common sense.
I would definitely become familiar with basic snow gear and learn how to self arrest before the trip.

Have a great trip!

Over and over again I hear about the dangers of snow mountaineering. I would much rather do my first trip to Mt whitney after the snow melts. Anyone on here wanna swap me an august or later date for my may permit or even June? Just a thought, then we don't have to speculate if I'll make it back in one piece.

In another thread, permit swapping was discussed.

If you would read the fine print on the front and back of your lottery application:

"Reservations are not transferable to other parties or to future years. Reservations are not for re-sale."

EJ,

Why give up your permits? You've paid the price of admission, come to the ball. In my first post, I said I don't like to discourage people from coming but there is a caveat, go as far as your skills will allow you to descend...you will have a good time and learn something. In May 2007, we got as far as Trail Camp without the use of crampons and ice axe. For someone coming the first time, this will an awesome experience. Also, if you bring a set of crampons and an axe, the slope is a great place to practice glissading and self-arrest.

When you come back a second time wise to the ways of the Inyo, Whitney Portal and the mountain.

Yes, permits are not "transferable" but I think you can change the "group leader", if you catch my drift. However, It is my opinion, no one is going to an August permit for one in May or June. With the exception of possible the last weekend in June, you can walk in and get a backpacking permit anytime you want.

Touche, wb, touche! EJ, there you have it! Just have fun!