Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Main Trail in May--what to expect?

A friend of mine and I are planning a day hike (main trail) on May 12. We’re experienced hikers and have hiked at altitude (>13,000') together many times, but neither of us is a technical climber, so we’re worried about the snow/ice conditions. I wonder if any of you can give us some idea of what we’re in for this year? The drier than normal conditions this year have us hopeful of course.

Specifically, do you think is it feasible to reach the summit without crampons and an axe? Neither of us is trained in the proper use of this gear, and we’re not looking to learn on the fly (so to speak!).

Regardless, we’re still going to the mountain, but I just am looking for a realistic appraisal about how far we’re likely to be able to go safely given our skills. I'm braced for the usual warnings about being conservative, proper planning, being ready to turn back, etc., etc. Please know that neither of us are into dying; we've turned back before summits before and will do so again!

Thanks for any help you can be.

If you look at a few of the posts from last weekend, you'll see that there was a fair amount of accumulation all over the place. Also, watching dmatt's forecasts will be crucial. If there is absolutely no weather (doubtful) over the next few weeks, then you will probably still have to deal with some interesting conditions above Trail Camp. I would not think its feasible to think about summiting without crampons/axe a month from now. I just don't think it's going to melt out that fast, even in a low snow year.

But I also play a conservative card, and plan on probably carrying crampons with me when I go up with MC in early June. That's why I posted about recommendations so I can order them now.

There are lots of other options once you get to Trail Camp, too, namely Wotan's Throne just above you there. If you think the switchers are too dicey for ya, here's a link to a thread talking about routes.

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005540#000000

No matter what, you'll get your day's worth just being up there. I know I always do!!

Good luck!
-Laura

We are planning to go that weekend to backpack the MMWT and are planning to take ice axe and crampons...snowshoes.

What goes up the trail depends on the conditions we find. My guess is you will need snow skill, ice axe and crampons that weekend.

If you are going to using ice axe and crampons the pucker factor doesn't really come into play until you get to the Cables or is your are going up and down the Chute.

If you've never been to Whitney before going up the trail this time of year is a real treat.