Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Can I ask a NEWB question?

So I really want to get to the summit of Whitney this summer, but I just moved to California and don't really have a network of friends to assemble for a team, and don't really want to go solo (for obvious reasons). And clearly, the permit window has long since closed.

Would it be in the realm of possibility to join a team with an opening, or is that not something that is very common?

Sorry if this annoys anyone, just eager, that's all. Thanks in advance. Jamie

Go solo. This is just my opinion but, assuming you take the main trail, it's better to go solo than to go with a bunch of strangers that you've never hiked with before. I don't think you gain much by going with a group if you don't know them and they don't know you other than maybe a false sense of security.

As long as you're prepared, and know how to deal with the weather, altitude, and the trail, going solo should not be a problem.

Either that or join a local Meetup hiking group. You might be able to find a group that way.

As for permits, it's not hard to get cancelled permits off the reservation system for small groups. You can also get walk-in permits the day before at the Visitor Center.

May I ask what these obvious reasons are?

I've summited Whitney six times. Each time was solo. You will never want for company on the trail. I used to hike a while with folks I met on the trail, then head on up solo for a while then hook up with another group. Just make sure you have enough gear to spend a night out if need be. Lots of friendly people on the trail.

Bob

Would i be able to get an overnight permit this late in the game??

Chances are good but there are no guarantees. There's no way to know for sure until you get there.

You could always try to reserve a permit. Cancelled permits are made available on recreation.gov periodically.

Your odds improve substantially if you go during the week. Also, if you have a couple of days the likelihood of getting one day out of two week days is "practically speaking" 100% (Not a guarantee). As Slowpoke pointed out it is actually likely that you can get a permit if you check the rec.gov web site often. Particularly in the two or three weeks prior to your desired date, when some of the folks with permits cancel.

Thanks a lot. That's extremely helpful information.

I did this hike solo June 30, 2014 at 3:15am. I was apprehensive and nervous because 1) I had never done it; 2) I was afraid of getting lost; 3) I didn't know the terrain; 4) it was dark; and 5) I didn't want to get busted by the rangers (because I may or may not have had a permit).

I hiked White Mtn 6/29/14 with an awesome meetup group and got a wild hair afterward and spontaneously drove to the portal and contemplated the above for several hours and said screw it...I'm going! It was great! I had all the gear I could need, including a satellite phone, DeLorme InReach SE satellite communicator/tracker. I stayed in communication with others the entire way. It was sketchy (for me) at the cables due to snow, and in a coulple other spots on the backside, but I toughed it out and ended up going again 10 days later with another meetup group.

Btw, I have 8 permits left for June 4th.

Email: Nurse911Kim@aol.com

Even hiking solo the trail is full of hikers during the summer months. You will not be alone.

One issue not mentioned often is, what happen if your hiking partner encountered an issue. Have you thought of all the commitments. The basic injuried partner need first aid, or EMT assistance is common. Partner goes missing, lost, need to arrange for search and rescue. If something really goes wrong, notify the family members. Are you up to these tasks? If you are at fault, are you prepared to entertain questions from authorities, and possible law suit that follow.

I am for hiking with partner, but remember to really know the partners, and their significant others. Make sure that you are both hiking equal and compactible in many ways. It is a long 22 miles round trip trail and many things do go wrong.

Enjoy your 1st whitney hike.

Well said. But if you do find yourself hiking with another person, a funny thing to do is, if you're far from the trailhead and your friend gets bitten by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going to go for help, then go about ten feet and pretend that you got bit by a snake. Then start an argument with him about who's going to go get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That's why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke.

[Yes, I stole that from Jack Handey]

My last Whitney summit was June 4 of last year:
http://www.hikinggeek.com/2014/06/07/mt-whitney-via-the-chute-trip-report-june-4-2014/

Great pics!