Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MR 3-17-07 dayhike

Took the bait after reading Rick Kent's report. His pix and write up pretty much covered it. I will add "WOW!"......
Six hours up, five hours down. Postholing galore in the afternoon. Great day on the mountain.

Yup, it was another amazingly warm weekend. How can this be March??? It was toasty warm on the summit.

I went up again for my 18th summit on the 18th day of March. In short, in regards to conditions (M.R.):

- More snow has melted

- Bushwhacking in the north fork is now avoided by using the trail (packed snow until you reach the E-ledges)

- Snow becomes crusty overnight and softens greatly in the afternoon

- Most of the slabs above LBSL are now clear of snow

- Sections between UBSL and Iceberg are now melted out to the scree below

- Flowing water is available just below UBSL (listen for the sound of running water) and water is trickling down rocks on the way up to Iceberg.

- UBSL and Iceberg remain frozen over. LBSL is half melted.

- Snowshoes can be helpful in the afternoon

- Above the notch the last 70 feet to the summit remains the same (steep neve and ice). Avoid it (on class 3 rock with some snow) or bring two tools. Most parties are roping up.

- Oh, and the road is clear. All vehicles can reach the Portal without problem.

-Rick

Congrats Sierragator..I would have to say for me last weekend would have been the best time for me to do the main trail, but was at soccer tournament. I was planning a couple of weeks ago to go next weekend on the 3 day weekend since its been a mild winter, but just saw 7 day forecast and dmatts weather for next week, snow today snow next week..

Winter started today at Whitney, spring will follow later..

Myself I won't do westside to the summit solo with new snow, so I'll just wait and see won't give up hope for next week but might wait for April...mark