Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board mountaineers route casualties

does anyone knows the casualties @ MR ? how dangerous is it? i'm looking for someone i can tag along this summer.

Approximately 15%

I would recommend Mt. Langley instead.

I suppose that was a joke. I'm sure it's closer to 0% than 15%.

It was a joke, and you're right, the casualty rate is closer to zero. I've heard of several falls resulting in death on the MR over the last few years though. A couple of years ago, someone took a tumble just past the notch (in a completely non technical route) and didn't come back. I'm not sure how many deaths the MR is accountable for but any given year there are between 2 and 10 on the mountain.

People get hurt on the Mountain from time to time. In my original Mount Whitney Book they gave examples. Broken Bones, scrapes, bruises Hypothermia etc. Some have been hurt from rockfall set loose by other climbers...like up above Iceberg lake.

On the Mountaineers Route, rock climbers have been hurt and killed, although not that often considering how skillfull they are.

Up above the Notch, a few people have slid off and died walking across the sometimes frozen Easy Traverse.

A few years ago someone feel off the Ebersbacher ledges. Consequently the Forest Service moved the trail further away from the edge.

As far as risk goes, you are much more likely to be hurt or killed driving to and from the mountain.

Overall though, if you are cautious and carefull, and observant, these need not happen to you. I have been up and down the Mountaineers route with many others on many trips. All these people had various levels of hiking experience. Most were not climbers.

I think the average rate of fatalities is very small but the mountain deserves respect. Just use common sense and you should be fine.

thanks tom, i'm very interested on climbing MR. can you give me somte tips or a place where i can enroll for basic lessons aboout mntn climbing. i've been to the summit 4 times via main trail and i feel like it's not a challenge anymore. can you help?
thanks
edu

You don't need any real climbing ability to go up the MR, unless you choose to go rock climbing. Most of my friends I have been with have done no more then casual hiking.

There are places where you scramble up over rocks and "easy climb" a little. Like I mean you have to use your hands for balance. Of all the North Fork & Mountaineers route you use your hands for balance maybe 5% of the time.

More important than that is knowing the route, so you don't end up where you shouldn't be. In the book Whitney lore at the Portal store there is a real good written description of the route. Many pictures have also be posted on the board. There are only a few areas you really need help (the ebersbacher ledges, finding the 2 routes to Iceberg lake, knowing what to do at the top of the notch etc.) It is not that complicated with help./

edu:

If the main trail is fairly easy then you should definitely get out on the MR. You won't regret it and it'll probably change your idea of having fun in the mountains. Do what the others are saying and check out other people's route pics and written descriptions. But when you go just take a good map and compass (along with a camera).

The route follows a natural drainage for the snowpack up high. Keep asking yourself, "If I were water what would be the easiest route down the hill?" Other than that pick your own path and don't be surprised if you need to back up and rethink things once in a while. You'll be on top before you know it.

The other great thing is the people you tend to meet up there. Many will have lots more experience than you and will not be bragging about it. If you are friendly and not pushy it is possible to learn alot from the experience of the peak junkies up there.

Let us know about your trip if you go!