Hey all . We went up on thursday the 17th from campground to trails crest for some winter skiing . Trail was in good shape most all the way up to Lone Pine lake.. From there on up it was virgin territory , not one skin , snow shoe or otherwise track.. Once we got above the Whitney zone sign we headed left away from the trail and skirted above the waterfall, directly above outpost camp.. It is a bit more desirable on ski's however it got a bit tricky crossing the snow fields through all the boulders above falls.. Once we sorted out the route we were back in business , now above the falls and back on the trail up above mirror lake.. From here on up to trails crest was easy going , now dont get me wrong, what usually takes us 2:10 to trail camp , from the trail head was 7hrs to trail camp.. Funny.. but true.. Most of the time delay comes from skinning with skis and all the winter clothes that go with it.. Any how , from trail camp up to draw was simple , now the draw is funky, breakable crust with sugar snow below, not the most desirable of conditions.. If you are planning a walk up soon, I highly recommend all the winter safety tools.. Crampons with hard boots, Ice axe or two, helmet please.. Avalanche beacons and the ability to use them, probe , and shovel.. Even though the snow is settled there is still that breakable layer, with sugar snow below, not the best combo ever.. expect a longer day than usual, now the trail is in it should be easier but still a challenge... I am planning on a trip up tomorrow so that I can get trail across from trail crest to summit, i ran out of time thursday.. The MR has several tracks down low and i AM SURE people have made the summit from there .. My desires are always the MT side as its far longer and it gives you much more skiing but love both sides.. That comment is for the locals who always give me grief for going the longest way.. :::))) One more thing, there has not been one single person on the MT side at all in fact I have not saw one person all season . Hope this is helpful..
Davey and Tracy
