Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Whitney Clinics

If you're a first timer or just want more info on hiking the Main Whitney Trail, I conduct clinics at REI Tustin. The first one is Jan. 12 at 6:00pm. I will do additional Whitney Clinics throughout the year. Other REI stores will do this clinic as well. Go to www.rei.com, click on "stores" and scroll to the events to register (it's free). Spread the word - hope to see you there.

I can't commment on the A16 clinics as I have not attended any of theirs. The A16 in OC is now closed so I don't visit any of the others.
My credentials?? Not sure what you want, but I have summitted Whitney 5 times in 5 attempts - 2 one day trips and 3 overnighters. Most recent trips were overnight in 2007 and a day hike in 2008. Aside from that, too many hiking miles to count, too many mountain biking miles to count. Also a triathlete and long distance runner. Completed 5 8,000 Meter Challenges (3 tallest peaks in SoCal in 24 hours). Too many other things that will bore you. Clinic is a PowerPoint that lasts about 1-1 1/2 hours with focus on Permit/Lottery process,training and training hikes, nutrition, gear, etc.

I think that if one is inclined to present themself as an authority they should go open kimono and at least fill in the blanks on their profile.

Perhaps Jeff M would like to share with us his qualifications for passing judgment on others ...

And let's assume REI knows a little something about screening their presenters. After all, he's doing the presentation under their auspices.

hike4evr, welcome to the board!

Also, thanks for doing the work that you do, educating those who aspire to climb our favorite peak. I'm positive that your experience provides guidance to those who've never been up, and makes their way both easier and safer.

I've always thought that if presenters were able to do nothing but point people to this board, they would have done a real service, for the depth of information available here. I've always been amazed by the number of people I've met on the mountain who've never heard of it.

I don't know if you have lurked on the site, but we have a diverse group of posters, many, many people who've climbed a few times from all over the place. Some that have climbed over a hundred, some every month of the year. There are SAR that work the area, guides that guide the mountain, docs that do altitude research and water research, rangers that work the area. Several Everest summitteers. And of course, that most prized asset, Doug and his team at the Portal, who know more about what is going on than anyone. And I find this community generally very gracious about sharing knowledge and experience, remarkably so.

Occasionally, people get together for a group hike of some mountain...Baldy, Thor, etc. Perhaps you'll join in, and get to know people on a personal level.

Once again, welcome, and thanks for helping educate.

Jeff, I really don't believe his offer was meant for the majority on this board. As you pointed out, there is tons of information to be found on this site thanks to not only the people you pointed out, but dozens of others.

But, people who have never hiked Mt Whitney come to this site for advice, and a clinic at REI is a good start. That, along with Doug's book, other hiking books, several trips up local mountains, long trail hikes, the gym and a positive attitude and goal, helps make the mountain doable.

I don't see many posts ripping people who write in wanting to know what to eat on the mountain, what to wear on the mountain, where the water is, etc. Those seem pretty obvious if you've done your homework......and if you have those questions, a "basic" Clinic at REI is a good start. I'm hoping hik4evr can open these people up to how to educate themselves and how the experience from the knowledgeable climbers and hikers on this board can help.

You're right. I see the error in my ways. Best of luck and happy holidays!

I feel a need to clarify a few things. I DO NOT claim to be an expert on Whitney. I've been giving this clinic for 7 years at REI Santa Ana (now closed) and now at REI Tustin. I've referred attendees to this forum as I feel it is a great source of information, especially for 1st timers and those (like myself) who want updated info on trail conditions, weather, etc. The clinic at our store is our most popular with SRO crowds. I do this as a service - I just want to help out and assist those newbies to this mountain to have a safe and successful hike. Hope to see you all on the mountain. Hike safe.

Jim, I don't think a person needs to be an "expert" on Whitney...unless one is going up there right now!

I think so many people go up there with NOT the first clue about the most basic concepts about backpacking, or even hiking, just getting them into the realm of sanity will remarkably improve their experiences, and cut down on the SAR's!

I'm of the school that thinks that the more (experienced) input that people have, the better off they will be. Fact is, any reasonably experienced backpacker, who reads any of the the decent guidebooks, can do it by themselves....and do, all the time. It's the people that don't have that "reasonable experience" that make us all shake our heads.

I'm never on the mountain, when I'm not involved in helping people in trouble. Part of that is me, but there is never a shortage of such folks.

I still can't get over the people with 60-70# packs (who aren't deliberately doing that for training)

Amen, Ken. Well said.