Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board I have need to decide quickly...any suggestions?

I was lucky to get to train for Whitney with no injuries. I day hiked it last year and was lucky to have no problems on a balmy/warm day 10-10-2011. I have no snow training meaning I don't have crampons etc. Last year I did have micro spikes and poles and that seemed to work well but the snow was maybe 5 days old. The information on this message board is brilliant. So I'm stuck and hoping for a push in either direction. Here is a bit more info...

I'm going with another guy who has VAST experience in all conditions. He said he is planning on winter conditions which means for him he'll have a full large pack and will carry a one man tent and winter bag, two layers tops and bottoms along with top and bottom shell, hat,gloves etc., etc. but no crampons but will have micro spikes. He going again in 10 days so he doesn't care either way.

So my question is if I match his gear list but without any experience am I responsibly going into this deal, or do I need to just pass an go another time. We would be driving in Tuesday (staying at the Hostel) and then start at 3AM Wednesday. I've seen the forecast and it seems to be very unsettled. My wife has signed off on my own judgement which is causing even more hesitation yet I bet we have a good chance of an exciting yet safe day with a good story once we are finished summit or not. I really want to go an hang out at the the portal store and have a cheeseburger etc. The summit fever is raping me while I set at my office acting like I'm working. See--I'm a mess!

Thank you- Mike

You'll have to follow the weather which will dictate conditions and expected difficulty. Even though the route is Class 1, a whiteout can change the level of trip
you're anticipating
into a very challenging experience.

When a potential partner says "he doesn't care either way" I would be careful, since that could mean different things; either -
1. he is prepared for either condition and will pack accordingly or 2. he wants to summit no matter what the conditions are...the latter
could be a dangerous philosophy to have in the hills.

Watch your own condition and see how you feel, since (though you don't specifically state)
you might be coming in from sea level. If you're hiking up with someone
as you mention who is much more experienced, their pace may be much faster than yours, which
would cause altitude related issues with your climb if you're moving too fast.

Regarding gear, if it snows, it will likely be unconsolidated, where crampons may be
of limited value if it is freshly fallen - if it is a few days old, then the trail could
be packed from footsteps and become icy and hard packed snow on the switchbacks, in which
crampons would be helpful. If you anticipate potentially needed them, I'd recommend practicing
in them before trying them out at 13,000ft for the first time.

I don't know what the weather will be like then, but if I were you, I'd keep an eye on the
weather right to the last minute; with a low enough chance of precip (maybe ~30%),
go for it, but be prepared to turn around if you're not feeling it or if conditions deteriorate.

I'm going to hike up to Meysan Lakes tomorrow (Tuesday). That's the valley just south of the Portal, so the conditions should be similar. Will go about 11,500' before heading back. Not the same a Whitney, but will provide more info than you probably would have otherwise.

I'll give you an update of trail conditions tomorrow night. If for some reason you don't see a post - send me a PM.

RAC- Thank you so much. Very helpful and you filled a some much needed blanks. My partner is conservative and fine not getting to the summit. We have the same fitness level when we climb- he just has years of this stuff. I like your idea of just starting out and being quick to pull the plug if conditions/or me are off.

I'm seems perhaps much of the weather has returned more to a afternoon(ish) event? If that is the case maybe my chances improve with a 2AM start and maybe a summit around 9AM potentially?

KevinR- Yes I really will be looking forward to your report.

Thank you- MK

Mike, you live in the Bay area, correct?

I played hookey from work the past 2 days and drove down from Bishop to Southern CA this morning. It poured rain through the high desert area and was uncommonly humid in Lone Pine. There are thunderstorms right now where I live, at 5800 feet.

I understand summit fever but Mt. Whitney will be there next year. I have attempted hikes many times there in Sept. and Oct. where I aborted the attempt due to weather that was just plain scary (at least by my conservative standards). The difference between hiking Whitney in nice conditions and hellish conditions is enormous.

A day hike is no fun when you're lugging all that extra winter gear, extra clothing, etc. Just something to contemplate.

Mike -

Our group of 7 hiked up to Meysan Lake today. It was partly sunny when we started, became overcast and a bit questionable about mid-day, and then got partly sunny again in mid-afternoon. The trail was dry up to Meysan Lake (11,500'), and could see a dusting of snow about 1K' above us at the lake. About 1/2 of us wore shorts. Some wore short sleeves - I wore a polypro longsleeve (first time this season) with shorts. We also had windbreakers, hats and gloves - just in case - but didn't need them.

Each week it gets a little cooler than the last (did Langley last Tuesday), and wore a 100w fleece pullover over when we stopped for a bite to eat, and took it off after a mile on the descent.

Have posted a few pictures on Facebook so you can see for yourself.