Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Crampons in Early June

I'm headed up the first weekend in June. How much of a necessity are crampons? I know it's probably safer but are they a must? With conditions as they are today, can you summit without using them if you time the ascent/descent correctly with the time of day?

We're going up that weekend and intend, based on reports I have read here, to take crampons and ice axes.

Aidiamo,

There are lots of wildcards involved with mountaineering under winter conditions, my advice is to be prepared for any conditions, recognize when you're in over your head and remember the basic rule of mountaineering "the summit is optional, coming back in one piece is mandatory"

bj

Great advice BJ! I'm curious, I'd like to learn how to use crampons and ice axe--are you aware of any classes that I could look into? Thanks!

Check out this earlier post: <A href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002901">snow/ice skills class</A>.

bj,
i'd also like to recommend 'Mountain Adventure Seminars' out of Bear Valley. They have an excellent Ice Axe/Crampon Workshop and Rope Teams course. Great people too! www.mtadventure.com

Bring crampons and ice axes. Chances are, you are going to need them.
There is no way to "time the ascent/descent correctly", because you also have to factor in the weather.
If you don't own a pair of crampons or an ice axe, rent them at Lone Pine Sporting Goods.