Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Need Some Advice

This will be my first trip to Whitney's summit. So...I have a few questions that I would love some "professional" advice on:

1. I am hiking Whitney in mid-October with an overnight pass. I will be hiking with one other person who is a moderately-quick hiker as well. When will we need to leave on our permit day in order to get to the highest campground?

2. From the highest campground, how much time should we give ourselves to reach the summit?

3. Is it possible and safe enough to hike the remaining part of the trail above the highest campground in the dark? If there is no moon out, would headlamps provide sufficient lighting for the trail?

4. Will we need crampons and/or axes if the weather stays nice during the next few weeks?

Thank you so much. I really do appreciate your help. This is going to be a very special time for me and my hiking partner!!!

Just got back from a trip. Summitted on the 25th

You can reach the highest camp ground, "Trail Camp" in 2-3 hours from the Portal.

You can reach the Summit in 2-3 hours from "Trail Camp".

The ice is starting to build at the Cables, right now it is easily passable. Mid October, you never know. I would have an Ice axe and crampons available. Last year in Mid october, crampons were a must at the upper cable section and on the switch backs.

2-3 hours from Portal to Trail Camp? How heavy was your pack?

That's 2000 ft. per hour climbing rate! I think it would take most people 4 to 6 hours.

I would agree with Steve that it would be better to figure 6 hours for both climbs. You may, and many are, faster. However, you always want to plan a margin of extra, particularly if you are not familiar with the trail and altitude.

I'd personally plan on a mandatory hourly stop of 10 minutes on the way up, a real effort to push fluids, and enjoying the trip to the max.

Axes and crampons should not be an issue, but keep tuned here prior to your trip to see what people are experiencing.

many people hike in the dark, and headlamps generally work well. But if you follow what you say, this should not be an issue.

You should ABSOLUTELY buy a guidebook to give you information on the trail, BEFORE YOU GET THERE. There are many good ones.

have fun

I'm no expert but I have done Mt. Whitney 7 times on the main trail including twice this year. I have summited twice in October.

Personally I think it's unsound to tell anyone else how long it will take them to hike anywhere without knowing their abilities, experience, limitations, or the trail conditions and weather on the day of their trip. "Moderately quick" is a relative term.

IMO anyone experienced enough to attempt Mt. Whitney who has done their homework, studied the maps, read this forum thoroughly, done training hikes and prepared their bodies should pretty well be able to estimate time over a given distance and terrain for themselves. At least as accurately as someone who does not know them at all.

I did the switchbacks above Trail Camp ("the highest campground") in the dark two weeks ago. No problem at all with a good headlamp. It would be hard to get lost. Just watch out for ice patches.

As for crampons and an ice axe (assuming you have experience with them) have them in your car and ready to go. Who knows, the weather could be just fine right up until the day before your trip. You may summit in shorts, or it may be snowing. October is a borderline month. Talk to people coming down the hill at the portal if you can. If in any doubt, take them along. Also, others will disagree but IMO any situation that requires crampons also requires an axe. There is no and/or. I would certainly never carry an axe without crampons.

You may be aware that a man died up there in early October last year between Trail Crest and Trail Camp attempting a glissade with no axe or experience. And he did that because he thought it was safer than the icy trail!!!! There are several threads about the accident on this board. The trail may be clear today but that could totally change in a matter of days.

Some of the best advice I ever read online is: Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

Well, I dunno about what's been said so far. I mean, I've summited once, in a late July of a heavy snow year, and I prepared my butt off - I read this and other sites regularly, asked questions, bought and read books on Whitney, bought and looked at Pete's video and knew what I was getting into - and even then I didn't (and couldn't) know precisely what I would face. Aren't our replies to John316 just like that sign issue everyone debated last October after the (inexperienced) glissade fatality? None of us know John's background, physical attritubes or abilties - only he does. On the one hand if he thinks the MWT is just another stroll in the great outdoors and that going up in mid-October will be wonderful fall scenery, he may be in for rude awakening and a huge surprise. On the other hand if he is someone in sound physical condition with some outdoor and hiking experience at altitude, and adequately prepares himself and his partner with knowledge and sufficient rest and food/fuel and hydration, and assuming the weather cooperates, he may do just fine. Point is, from what he's posted so far (and noticing his inquiries were his very first post on this board), there's simply no way of knowing. So.....
John316, my $.02 worth is either tell all of us (especially those with a GREAT deal more knowledge than I have) more about your plans, or be extremely cautious and careful on your trip. Hope everything works out the best for you and your friend.
Brickie

Sounds like yur on your own John...LOL

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=004101

Versatile Fred's links on info you might need.

And one other link specifically about what time to leave
http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004570#000005

Harvey

I really do appreciate each one of your posts. My partner and I have done some backcountry hiking, averaging about 15 miles a day over a three week period, as well as climbed half-dome last year. I wouldn't say we're the speediest pair, but we're definitely not the slowest either.

I guess my biggest question at this point is whether or not making it to the summit for sunrise (from the upper campground) is possible mid-Octoberish (assuming the weather has stayed nice). What type of temperatures should we be expecting if we choose to hike the upper half in the dark?

Thank you again for your help. I can't tell you how comforting it is to know that you all care to further our safety and fun!!!

Good information thus far. Here’s my 2cts; Let’s assume you’ve trained appropriately, are in good health, and acclimate for altitude (there’s plenty on these subjects in the archives). My comments relate to night ascent on the switchbacks. While the trail is easy to follow, the night hike factor combined with the ice factor (towards bottom and in cable section) increases your risk. In addition, being naïve to Whitney adds another element of risk. Sure it can be handled by a novice, in sub-freezing temperatures at night over the ice. Good headlamp – an absolute requisite. But, for the first timer, seeing the golden sun light on the front side from Trail Camp and ascending the switchbacks as this lightshow unfolds, is just as dramatic, and perhaps, even more dramatic than being on top for sunrise. And a lot less risky.

Good luck and have a great time on the mountain.

J316, dude whats the rush? be respectful of the mountain's & you should be allright. 15 miles a day? Well i average ( & i'm slow ) about 1 mile an hour going up, about 10 hours but i get a good look at where i am & thats why i go, Anyways have fun.

I just summited for the first time 9/27. Don't do it in the dark. There's no need to. You will have plenty of daylight hours to make your goals both days. I started (late) whitney portal store at 9:30 and got to Trail Camp at 3:30. That was with a lot of pit stops for eating and drinking tons of water/gator-aid. I started my summit the following day at 8:30, summited at 12:05. Spent an hour up top, came down to camp in 2 hours, broke down camp. Left Trail Camp at 3:55 and was down at the store at 6:38 pm. Don't try to beat mother nature, listen to what she says....do it safe...=)em

A rule of thumb that I find useful is about 1000 vertical feet per hour with a pack is a moderate pace for most people until around 11 or 12,000 feet, then the pace typically slows to 500 - 750 vertical feet per hour going higher. If people are more fit and/or more acclimated, then obviously the pace can be faster and if not the pace can be slower. For long high altitude hiking/climbing, figure that an "average person" should go at a pace where you can talk. It is clearly possible to run up the mountain breathing hard the entire way if that is your thing.

As many have posted, your mileage may vary. Climb safe! SS