Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mountaineer's Route

Can anyone give me a perspective of the what the climb to the summit using the Mountaineer's rte involves in July/August?
I summited with my wife last July on a one day permit using the main trail, this year we are looking at the MR to get a change of senery and difficulty level. We both have moderate climbing skills and all necessary equipment, I have heard it not overly technical.
Thanks for any information

Andrew

Andrew, there is voluminous information available on this website, if you use the "search" function to look around. You should find a lot of trip reports, photos, etc.

It's physically demanding, but technically easy. You’ll need good route finding skills, the ability to climb 4th class (it’s 3rd class if you don’t get off route), crampons and ice axe depend on the snow pack when you go.. Like Ken says: do a search there’s tons of beta on the web.

Check out this report

http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?t=126

It includes pictures of the MR, trip reports and the description of the route from Doug Sr.'s book.

A mirror version of that topic is also posted on this message board at http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002524. It is the first link in the Orientation Notes thread.

Thanks for the added information. I think this should give us a challenge this summer.
Appreciate the feedback.

Andrew

Even with all the pics and TR, I was still shocked at how much MR physically punished my buddies and I. I trained for 3 months by running 20 miles a week and hiking 30 miles a week. I also spent a few days on acclimating hikes around the Cottonwoods Lakes a few days before our trip. That mountain just kicked our butts. It didn't help we were carrying 50+ lb packs.

The lessons I learn from last year was to train harder & earlier in the year. Pack much lighter and incorporate upper body workouts in my training. The most important lesson I learned is to make sure other members of your group are as well motivated and well trained as you are. If not, what could of been a 3 hr hike could stretch into 9 hrs. Taking so many breaks and waiting around for others to catch their breath was much more tiring than actually hiking.