Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Cold

Wind yesterday and now we have a cold air mass in the area , temp at 6 AM in the Portal 42 degrees, making Trailcamp and above freezing or below. Reports of Snow /hail sleet over the weekend so we may be in the 7-10 day cycle of Storms.

Paving a stones throw away form the store right now , still road work and delays but not long and short escort times. Should be on the 4 day program Monday - Thur. starting next week But.......

8 PM tonight 42 degrees, paving about 300' short of the finish line, will need some sun time before they can pave again needs to be about 50 and rising if I recall.

Talked with a guy that slept at trailcrest last night his report was 18 degrees and clear sky ...very cold night.

Many don't understand the wind/air currents in the area as the warm air moves up the cold air fills the lower elevation so some mornings the Portal will be warmer than Town , given that the upper elevations will be very cold and the section above Mirror Lake will be like walking in a freezer. When I hear people wanting to leave at 12:00 AM or 1 AM this time of the year many are turned back by the cold. Bring gloves and head gear and extra layers if you plan to hike during the night. 30 degrees with the sun is fine 30 at night is just cold!!!!

We have about 6 more weeks of the permit system Let's see if we can make it without a recovery ,Day light hours shorter every day and the chance of a solid winter storm is very real now DON'T get tricked by weather reports BE READY FOR A STORM.

Got it.

Paving on the main road finished and the Rumble strip place yesterday , nice day, road closed about 5 hours .



Edge work along the road now and delays, still expected the next few weeks, last week the escort was from town to the Portal making it about 1-1/2 hour trip and work about 6 AM-8 PM .


Warmer the last few days but as the sun drops to the west you can feel the chill.

Many not bringing enough layers or gloves/head gear,


Next Saturday is our day we call the Big Cookout, we close the Kitchen about 2:30 and have a lunch/dinner for all until about 6PM '

This started about 1973 as a Surveyor's picnic and we have had one every year since, So join in if you are in the area.

Yesterday (Saturday 9/17) I enjoyed a Full Moon Hike, arriving at the Summit at 5:55 AM for the 6:28 Am sunrise. The skies were clear and there was a mild breeze. Reaching into my daypack for the water bottle, I found it to be frozen. It is no longer Summer.

Recalling the recoveries on the Mountain last Fall (separate events in September, November, and December), I wore a heavier jacket and gloves. Despite this, while watching the sunrise, I was distracted by the struggle to stay warm, especially the fingers operating the camera.

Ascending the switchbacks below Lone Pine Lake in the early morning, I encountered many deer grazing along the trail. With daylight on the descent, some early Fall Colors were enjoyed.

Regretfully, we will likely be unable to make it to Big Cookout/ Surveyor's Picnic/ End of the Season BBQ on Saturday. But for any of the WPSMB faithful who can make it, judging from past experience you will not be disappointed by the hospitality.

Jim

Jim,

Treat us to a sunrise pic.

Thanks!

I don't understand the sunrise hike. I did one many years ago, to the summit of Half Dome. It was late September and it was freezing up there. It took an interminable period of time for the sun to rise.

Then, finally, there it was. A little yellow circle. It slowly rose, painfully slowly. Eventually it rose above the horizon.

That was it.

Doug,

Thank you for the usual Portal crew hospitality and generosity. You and the crew are the best. Wish I could make it. Enjoy a great cookout, hope to see you sometime before store closing time.

JL

Walt,

Thanks for asking, but I don't post my photos on the Internet. Indeed, as Peter Croft notes on his discussion of the Moonlight Hike in his book Climbing Mt Whitney (2005, Spotted Dog Press), "Sunrise pictures are something special."

Update to All.

Yesterday (Wed, Sept 21) I hiked up the Main Trail. The storm from Tuesday was apparent from the soaked trail. From the Cables to the Summit, there was lingering snow and ice. Traction devises were still not needed, but it was worth keeping your eyes open.

While yesterday morning was clear, in the afternoon clouds moved in, the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up.

The Fall Colors at Mirror Lake and Bighorn Park were awesome. I sat down there for a bit and just enjoyed their splendor.

The wind on the 395 was howling as I drove to the Sacramento area in the evening. Some really ominous clouds were covering the high Eastern Sierra peaks.

Jim

Congratulations! And thanks for the update. Hoping it remains passable without crampons/spikes through next weekend.

I'm headed out with a group on Friday evening (got a campsite at the Portal) and starting the main trail around midnight-0100. Hoping to be at the top around the 0648 sunrise on 10/1. Any advice?

My advice is to start later. Much later. Like dawn or an hour or so after.

You'll be better rested, it will be warmer out and you'll actually see the surroundings.

Hi Mike,

I have some thoughts.

(1) You are doing a No Moon Hike (as opposed to a Full Moon Hike), so light sources (headlamp and a really good flashlight) must be reliable. It is also helpful if you have developed good night vision.

(2) Keep moving. The sunrise over the Inyos will not wait for you.

(3) Under the current conditions beware of ice that is not easy to detect until you have hit the deck.

(4) Bring enough clothing and protection to ensure your survival for an extended period of cold, wet, and windy weather on the Mountain (even with a favorable weather forecast).

(5) I use the spring in Bighorn Park as a reliable "go to" water source on the Main Trail.

Reconsider doing this Night Hike, unless you have already done the Main Trail as a day hike and finished with some "gas left in the tank."

Frankly, I bet you have have a blast. I hope to be up on the Mountain the day after you.

Best of luck.

Jim