LostInMtn,

Just went through your photo album for this outing. These beautiful photos are really useful to many of us, as we are trying to understand the current conditions. Congratulations on your outing!

Jim

Another outstanding set of photos!

Surprised about the melt on the West Side at 14k...was it as easy as it looks in the photos, or was a slog?

Oh, and was there any evidence that people have ascended from the west side?

It's 80% dry from Trail Crest to last 400ft. Maybe 3-4 very short "sketchy" sections with decent boot tracks. Late morning and early afternoon wasn't really icy, so I didn't bother to use crampoons.

Last 400ft would be pretty dangerous without crampoons. Hard and icy snow.

I saw 4 PCT hikers who ascended from the West Side. They said it's ok, some icy sections, but nothing really bad.

The worst part was from Trail Camp to Trail Crest. First, post holing to the bottom of the chute, then very hard snow, so no step kicking. Later, it gets a bit better, but it's a mix of everything including knees deep snow just before Trail Crest.

Part 3: Whitney Trail 5/28/23











[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52935832982_730b56b714_o.png[/img]
[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52936429276_81a6c03b52_o.png[/img]
[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52936584229_e833654315_o.png[/img]
[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52936428786_dfc510f9c8_o.png[/img]
[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52936876458_6bdb11ca6f_o.png[/img]


Full Album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAFLkF

folks, with regard to the switchbacks, when you mention 'The switchback area most likely be a non event to follow', does this mean that we are to avoid the switchbacks, or take them since they will be uneventful, and easier to navigate?
Our overnight trip is scheduled to start on 6/29, overnight stay, summit on day-2, then return.

Suggestions?
Will the switchbacks have less snow by then? should i travel with an Axe?