Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Updated MR Conditions

Have a scheduled ascent up the Mountaineer's Route this weekend and was looking for an update on the route conditions.

I read Kurt Wedberg's post last week and it seemed like the snow was unsettled. Anyone up there over the weekend that can offer some new information?

Willing to postpone the ascent a couple weeks if necessary.

Bump, I am also very interested in this. Also, how does whitney portal road look? Passable to the top in 2wd w/ chains?

Thanks!

If you look at the "WPSMB Group MR Climb, Second Addition" thread @ http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/...age=1#Post82833

they just got back this last weekend. Road conditions are good all the way to the portal. They summitted without issue. I was, unfortunately, unable to go but am interested in heading up soon. Would you be interested in going up the weekend of the 16th? (Starting Friday?..I would probably crash up at the portal Thursday night)

Hi Some input , the road is still closed and the County may start work this week . They need to blast several large rocks and move the snow above the campground, sweep the gravel off the entire road. So expect the road to be closed with a structure or a person. Groups still going up so a track should be easy to follow on the North Fork. Look at the photos Fish and Jim posted from the trip last weekend.Conditions are changing very fast (First canyon will take effort finding a safe way )Thanks Doug

Thanks! I am looking to go in a couple weeks, so hopefully the roads will be clear and the snow will set a little more.

The route below Lower Boy Scout was hair raising in the dark. Snow bridges are breaking loose and holes are developing above the rushing water from snowmelt. I started my hike on April 1st early in the AM and the snow was firm enough to ascend with crampons. I switched to snowshoes around 9 or 10 when the sun was up. The group I was hooked up with hiked to Iceberg and summited early morning. I didn't spend the night up there. Too windy for my taste that night so I descended.
Beautiful hiking. I may go again soon but try the high-speed low-gear approach. Hiking from 45 minutes below the portal is somewhat discoraging but a day trip is totally feasible if you want it bad enough.