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#96204 08/16/13 07:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
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Joined: Aug 2013
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Hi, i've never climbed Mt. Whitney but have recently decided to while going home for the Christmas holiday to visit my family. I'm keen to take the mountaineer's route. I've climbed many other peaks (up to 6k meters) in the Andes, PNW and East Coast. I would love to hear from someone who has climbed Whitney solo during winter before. Am I correct that in December there won't be too much snow (minimizing avalanche conditions in the gully) but ice? Is this done very often? Risks?

Many thanks

Joined: Jul 2011
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V Marie

Please post on the Message Board site and you will get a response, not to many people go to the Winter Forum.

THE SILENT HIKER

Joined: Apr 2010
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The snow conditions may vary from very minimum to tons of snow on the approach and in the MR gully. I have experienced both extremes during Dec climbs in the area, so watch the forecast and plan accordingly. The avi danger is usually low on the MR, I would definitely be more concerned about icy patches, especially as a soloist. The spots that tend to get slippery include Ebersbacher ledges on the approach (these are usually by-passed when there is enough slow covering the creek), a small wall right before the iceberg lake plateau and last ~400 ft, after you exit the MR gully. Depending on snow coverage and conditions, you may be able to sprint from the portal to iceberg lake in 4-5 hours, or will have to crawl for two days. Also, the portal road will be officially closed. Most people drive past the sign, but the chances are high you will have to stop at some point because of snow/ice, which adds a few extra miles to your approach and retreat.
Cheers smile


Moderated by  Doug Sr 

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Mt. Whitney Weather Links


White Mountain/
Barcroft Station

Elev 12,410’

Upper Tyndall Creek
Elev 11,441’

Crabtree Meadows
Elev 10,700’

Cottonwood Lakes
Elev 10,196’

Lone Pine
Elev. 3,727’

Hunter Mountain
Elev. 6,880’

Death Valley/
Furnace Creek

Elev. -193’

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