Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trip Report 1-30 to 2-1

Mike and I left the comforts of home at around 10 pm on Monday for our first Whitney adventure. We arrived at Lone Pine at 6 am, neither of us having slept on the way. We ate at the cafe in town, then left for the portal after stopping by the visitor center to fill out a permit. We came upon a road closed sign just past Lone Pine Campground. I looked at Mike and said "Im not hikind an extra 6 miles!", and proceded to put the car int 4 wheel drive. We had no trouble making it to the top. Only 1 other vehicle was there.
After finalizing the packs and putting on our gear, we began our journey. There were some tracks to follow from the portal, but ended promptly about halfway up the switchbacks. Snow depth at this juncture was about 6 inches. Before I get too far ahead, let me provide a little humor in saying we both fell on our ass twice at the ice at North Fork. Ouch!!! After a sleepless evening,and going up to altitude our going was pretty slow.
Mike is usually in really great shape(cycling,climbing,lifting ect.), but informed me he hadn't trained for this as I have. I could tell he was really worried about altitude sickness. We reached the top of the switchbacks at about 1:30 and rested for a while at a big log which was 300 yards from the Lone Pine Lake sign. Mike was exhausted and said he felt really nasious. I told him to rest while I kept going without pack to find the LPL sign. To this point we had not used snowshoes. We probably should have used them earlier. After going back to Mike and explaining that it wasn't far to the sign, we strapped on the snowshoes and began to move again(after 15 more minutes rest). We went about 200 yards past the sign and agreed to set up camp and get some rest. We ate, and got into our bags for what I hoped would be an extended nights rest and an early start to Outpost Camp. I laid in my bag from 5 pm until 6:30 am without sleeping a wink. I dont know if I was just to excited or what. Mike on the other hand was snoring before my boots came off. It snowed all night, accumulation about 4 inches where we were.
Wednesday began with clear skies. I did feel well rested as I laid down for 13 hours. Somebody could easilly go crazy after trying to sleep for that long. Again, we set out at 8:30. We arrived at Outpost Camp at around 10:30 and Mirror lake at about 1:30. To this point I had figured out the trail marking system on the trees, and felt good about navigating as we blazed through 12 inch powder. This would be a different story once above the switchbacks above Mirror lake(above the treeline). I could see Wotans Throne and knew we were to stay to the left of the creek(according to the map). I could not make out any system of switchbacks going up the ridge to the left and above the creek, so we just went pretty straight. I could not imagine the trail being this direct though. We stopped for a good bit and I debated with myself what the correct course was. We had noticed what looked like a series of long swithcbacks going up the right side of the creek but I was sure we were to stay to the left. Looking back now I realize we were supposed to cross the creek and go up the right side.
The sun went down and a breeze picked up and we knew it would be dark in an hour or so. We struggled up through knee deep powder with some drits waist deep. We camped on top of a snow covered granite slab. While eating dinner, I dropped my Pasta Primavera pouch, spitting a portion of it on my boots,gaiters,and pants. Again, we entered our sleeping bags early in hopes of getting a super nights sleep. Unfortunatly, I laid in my bag for another 13 hours without sleeping more than a few minutes. Mike was again snoring before I was in my bag. The night began very still. Then from around 8 to 6 am the wind would gust to around 50 mph with minutes between gusts.
We decided in the morning that we would abort out summit hopes, head down and get back early to surprise the wives and kids. Our tracks from the previous day along the ridge which were at least 12 inches deep, had been filled in and disappeared. We got back down to Mirror Lake in 40 misutes, Outpost camp 45 minutes later, our first camp 40 minutes after that, and the car just after 12 noon. It wasn't until coming down from our highpoint that we realized how much effort it took us to get there. What took us 2 days to ascend, took only 4 hours to descend. The only person we saw on the descent was Phil from San Diego just above North Fork. He didn't appear to have snowshoes, so I dont know how far he went. We definately put the effort in, and for our first trip to the mountain, had a great adventure. We will return, more informed, and more aware of the trail layout. I learned a lot from other posters on this board. I have several pics but have not figured out how to post them yet. Hopefully I can add them later thriugh the edit post feature.

Cool trip report..thanks for the details and all the "fun" stuff. It really is amazing how much more energy must be expended to hike through snow..the resistance..the weight of the extra gear..it can add up. Bummer about the sleepless nights. I've found taking my iPod with me and listening to a book on tape almost always makes me sleepy fast. Then I put in ear plugs to keep the slamming and banging of the tent walls at bay. I almost always wake up 3 or 4 times a night...usually one time I'll have to go outside to take a leak...that is always a painful decision to leave the warmth of the sleeping bag.

I'll be interested to see your pictures..I've not been up the Main Trail in the winter (yet)..

Thanks again for the report..was a good read!

Chris

I wonder if that was Richard's car you saw up there?

The car was a blue Jeep Liberty. I dont remember the name on the permit though. I put my pics onto a shutterfly album. Can anybody tell me how to add a link to there from this board? Thanks

Go here

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005066;#T7

and scroll down to "Adding hyperlinks to message posts and using bookmarks."

If that seems to hard to write the code.

1) Open up your picture page.
2) Drag the mouse accross the address in the window which has the address of the page you are looking at..
3) press control C
4) go to the mount whitney report you want the link to be in. Open it up
5) Copy by pressing Control V
6) post the reply.

Lets try this!

View my pics here

<a href="http://yosemitesam.smugmug.com/gallery/2425469#127140249">Whitney pics</a>

Thanks Andrew. I will be sending out my resume to silicon valley companies as I am now a genius!!

Thanks for the great detail in the TR! I had debated about going up with Richard this past weekend, but now I'm glad I stayed in the sunshine of lala land! Although, I did rent snowshoes again and didn't get to use them on the overnite we did!

Did the snow also accumulate at the Portal? Where did it start on the road? I may try to drive up there over P-day w/e for some day-hike fartin' around if it's accessible. Otherwise, I might explore the Alabama Hills some on my way to DV.

-L

Would you tell me where this picture was taken..
and what it is a picture of....

http://yosemitesam.smugmug.com/gallery/2425469#127141475

It really captures the beauty of the area in the winter.

I believe that was taken from Bighorn Park. The second 2 days of my trip were indeed beautiflu and bright!! Its amazing how snow can turn something baren looking into a postcard. I should have taken many more pics

Hey James A,

How do you like that Hilleberg tent?

I believe that there is no better tent. It is not freestanding, but the materials, workmanship are second to none. I have yet to find an area where I cant set it up! I researched for two months prior to buying. It began when I went snow camping with a friend in his Mountain Hardwear Trango 2. It snowed very hard and we had to set up a second shelter to cook under. I thought that it wasnt very practical. I called Hilleberg and talked to founders daughter Petra. She sent me their "Tent Handbook." This had pages of very detailed information on everything from materials chosen, to sewing technique, and design. Pages, not sentenses you find on these subjects if your lucky from Mountain Hardwear or Northface. My tent was hand made by Helviina Sarr at their facility in Estonia. It was fully set up and inspected to ensure zippers, poles, and adjusters were in proper position as well as quality control of all sewing, and seaming. The Nammatj 3GT is very versatile 3 person tent(Tent = 36.6 SQFT + 30.1 SQFT Vestibule = 66.7 SQFT TOTAL). For mountaineering, I bring inner and outer tent. Sets up from the outside so you dont get inner tent wet. First trip was on Mt Shasta where we were hunkered down for a 3 day storm of 60+ mph winds, golf ball sized hail, and blizzard conditions. Never had to leave the tent. The other 2 in our party had a Mountain Hardwear Trango 2. All 5 of us boiled snow, cooked, and ate in my tent. VESTIBULE IS ALMOST AS BIG AS SLEEPING AREA WHILE TENT WEIGHS JUST OVER 8 LBS. On this Whitney trip we had 2 people in tent, all gear in vestibule with enough room to change clothes, go to the bathroom, and cook, still weighing less than the Mountain Hardwear Trango 2. In summer I use only inner sleeping area, and 2 poles, weighing @ 3 lbs sleeping 3 comfortably. I could go on, but you get the point. I recomend anyone who is in the market for a tent that will go anywhere, during all seasons, to get the Hilleberg "Tent Handbook."

Based on this picture taken by Rick Kent (right side of Wotan's throne middle in background), I am convinced ....

http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.aspx?ID=74993

It must be part of the Pinnacle Ridge.

One interesting side note James. The large pyramid shaped rock on the far upper right of your picture (top of the snow covered hill) is not part of the Pinnacle ridge. It just looks like it in this picture due to the telephoto effect. It is actually an Rock outcropping on the south side of Thor peak. Put the two together and you have a match.

compare this photo, taken near outpost camp. The angle is not the same (no pinnacle ridge), but it must be the same rock extension of Thor Peak

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1465889067061435028wRKpXa

Kashcraft, I believe you are correct. My new camera has a 10x optical zoom and I remember zooming for that pic. What a keen eye you have!

Rick's picture was taken from above Mirror Lake. Sam's was from Bighorn Park, as was mine (a zoomed-in shot from a Thor Peak climb on 5 November):


<img src=http://yosemitesam.smugmug.com/photos/127141475-S.jpg "width=285"> <img src=http://img.clubphoto.com/jerboa/205939268/442/beac64b587ff945fd446a49289afa905/image.jpg "width=300">

NICE! That settles it. I think I need to spend more time on the regular Mt. Whitney trail above Lone Pine Lake. That Bob R. picture really shows well rock extension being closer then the Pinnacle ridge.

Still putting together my TR, but three comments:

Thanks for the tracks up. I took four-plus miles of "broken trail" with a smile on my face. From then on, it was pure hell!

Next time though, head up one gully "south." In winter, you don't want to do the work required to climb up past Trailside Meadow, but the one you camped in makes the ascent up to Trail Camp a little more difficult than the next one "south."

I'm glad that you posted. Now, when I tell my story of fun and games on Groundhog's Day, nobody will be able to say I was BSing, because you're story actually paints things as more difficult than I was thinking it was.

I can't wait to hear your report Richard. I was real curious how things went. I was going to do a dayhike on Sat or Sun (a last minute decision) but when I got to the Portal Fri night I realized I was missing one of my duffel bags. In my haste I had forgotten it. Unfortunately it was the one that had all my winter clothing. Doh! It's probably just as well. From James' report and probably yours too I suspect that the likelyhood of a successful dayhike might have been rather low. So instead I spent 2 glorious days in the desert (warm sun cool breeze) including a dayhike of Maturango Peak yesterday.

-Rick

Part of my report will be about my "recovery period" in which you and Len were having a conversation outside my car. Apparently, neither one of you knew that I was "dead" asleep inside my purple sleeping on the passenger's side. I laughed hysterically when Len told me he "rapped" on the window to find out if "anybody was home" on Saturday morning. I was, but nothing was going to disturb that needed sleep.

BTW, it's good you didn't head up like Len recommended. I wasn't ever ahead of you guys and I never made it past the Pinyon Pine in the North Fork. Too dangerous looking to me.

Richard, I was thinking about giving it another run at the end of April before the quota season. In the past how have conditions been during that time? If the snow settles a bit and I dont bring the house like I did last time, I should be able to make it! I might even be up for the MR.

I've stated in the past that April into May is my favorite time of year on Whitney. Wait until you start to hear reports of people having successful trips without snowshoes.

After this last trip, I'm also confirming that I hate the Main Trail side of the mountain in winter.

If the bowl below Trail Crest is not "in shape," the terrain that you climb above the Switchbacks is more dangerous than any other terrain you have to climb on ANY non-technical route. And the West side of Whitney, with wind-blown snow, will really test your resolve. Looking down snow slopes that would dump your body down near the Hitchcock Lakes certainly made me wonder if I had a few screws loose.

Can we please have a real winter storm blow thru so that the MR will come into shape?