Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board current conditions on Whitney?

Unfortunately I can't join pylot this weekend since I don't get to Calif until Sunday evening, but I'm hoping to go up next week, maybe Mon-Thur. I'm trying to decide whether to do the standard route or the Mountaineer's, and am curious in general about conditions: is the road clear to the Portal? how much snow/ice on the approach or route in either case? are ice axe/crampons necessary for either/both routes? what are current low temps like on the mountain? etc. I've never done Whitney before in any season (but have done other winter climbs) and would welcome any advice; it's been useful already just looking at this bulletin board. And if anyone wants to join, just let me know... Thanks much in advance!

Not sure where you are coming to California from, but we are expecting a weather change this week - has been quite warm, and snow level quite high. The temps dropped dramatically last night, and new storm system moving in starting tomorrow noc through most of the week. That could certainly impact the trail conditions and 'what to expect.' Keep tuned in to the latest weather, and of course this premier source of information on all things Mt. Whitney related.
Good luck, and stay warm!

Thanks RunSarah! I'm coming from Chicago: lousy weather but unfortunately not very informative for what it's going to be like in the Sierras. I'm trying to follow the weather as well as I can from here. I saw Bob R's helpful post about the Whitney trail and his friend Walter... has anyone been up the north fork and Mountaineer's Route recently?

I stayed in Portal on Thursday and went up the North Fork on Friday morning and came back out on Saturday afternoon. Other than a little ice in some spots, the E ledges were clear on Saturday but more snow was coming in that night. Upper Boyscout had 50 to 60 mph winds with gusts greater. 8 to 10 inches of new snow above Lower Boy Scout. Not enough for snowshoes just enough to make the boulder hopping a little sketchy. I drove (4X) all the way up to the store but it was very icy above the Meysan Lakes turnoff. It was still beautiful but I had to cut my trip shorter than planned. Good Luck!

Thanks! I hope the conditions have settled down a little by Tuesday, but it's certainly good to know a bit what they're like in advance. I'll let you know how it goes...