Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First time coming up Aug 17

My 18 yr old son, a friend, and myself - all first-timers, will be hiking Mt. Whitney on Aug. 17. I have referred to this forum for weeks now in preparation. Thanks for all the helpful advice! There was a topic (or separate site?) which listed the number of unclaimed permits by day. It seems that list is no longer available. Does anyone know where I can find such a list? We are a little nervous about driving to Lone Pine to claim three permits (we don't have reservations) and finding none available.

Thanks again,
-Gary

I did the hike with my 18 yr old son and a friend last week, also first timers. Very special. Have a great time!

Follow this link on a daily basis:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAng7kaQ!!/?ss=110504&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003714&navid=110160000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=activity&pname=Inyo%20National%20Forest-%20Hiking

Click on the Calendar of Dated for Day Use and Calendar of Overnight Dates links from the right column under Mt. Whitney Links. When something shows up on the day you are planning to hike, call the USFS Office to claim the available spots with your credit card.

Summitted at 12:30 on Aug 17. We got GREAT first-hand insight from the experts: Doug and Crazy Jack the night before:

Crazy Jack...where and when to fill water bottles to avoid carrying water you won't drink. You have to ask him personally for that.
Doug..."Conservation of Energy" ---go slow up..VERY slow -- for several reason.

Does ANYONE know where online can I buy a "I climbed half-dome in a day" t-shirt?? We got to the store just after they closed at 8:15pm. And I guess they don't do online sales?

-Gary