Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Switchbacks report 7/6/11 in detailed pictures

Pictures of the switchbacks on 7/6/2011

Looking up to switchbacks/chute from base camp:




















[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1653.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1656.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1658.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1660.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1661.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1662.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1664.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1668.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1671.JPG[/img]

Many people taking the chute:
[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1672.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1675.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1676.JPG[/img]

Trickiest section crossing snow on the switchbacks. This was not the obvious path, but some guys who were ahead of us said they didn't see any other way. It was steep with combination of snow and rocks:
[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1677.JPG[/img]

(Ditto):
[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1678.JPG[/img]

[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1679.JPG[/img]

Last section of snow at top of switchbacks. This is basically the top of the chute. It's quite steep but the existing post holes are helpful. Be careful:
[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1685.JPG[/img]

Trail Crest / top of chute:
[img]http://www.838earlham.com/images/IMG_1694.JPG[/img]

Great pictures. Thanks for all the information.