Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trail Camp Security

I'm just wondering what the common practice is for leaving overnight gear at trail camp for a day hike to the Whitney
Summit, is it done, will it be there when we come down ?
In a more remote and less populated location I would not worry
but here I'm not real sure.
Any new news on the trail, is it clear yet thru the switchbacks, if not then what is "your" best guess?
Thanks,
FNG

We've climbed Whitney somewhere around 20 times since 1988. We've always left our tent+gear @ Trail Camp when we head for the summit. The only thefts we've ever had were perpetrated by gangs of marauding marmot monsters.

Leave your gear at TC without worry, in fact leave your tent open so the marmots can come and go as they wish without chewing everything.

The switchbacks are not yet clear, although a few groups have tried. The cables remain very icy, I heard something regarding a shovel being taken up soon. The chute is still the route as far as i'm concerned.

Thanks for the info.
If I was on my own I would try the chute but my bud's
are all 1st. timers and only have summer hiking gear.
IE the 1st & 2nd time actually backpacking.
IMO the 1st time is not the time try a snow chute.

Hey, the ascent of the chute is not necessarily technical - it's just the safer alternative when the cabled area is icy! So it could be the wiser choice when you are "first-timers with only summer hiking gear."

So I can assume that shorts, std. trail shoes and a hiking stick are adequate equipment for the chute?

Read this:

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=77615#Post77615

OK I'll strike the idea of shorts but the main point is no one has an ice axe or crampons. I'm hoping the main trail will be open
by our trip date, July 4th. and the link forecast says it should be, I'm hoping !

I did not note the date in the post; conditions are probably changing hourly-- the chute route might be a mute option by that time.

Hi Warning we my be having some problems in the Portal with car break ins and things missing from the bear boxes . This happens from year to year durig the first part of the season . Thanks Doug

Two-legged or four-legged perps?

I saw two bulldogs break into Ford Explorer. One answered to the name UGA.

WBT, that's just outrageously slanderous, dude. I think there's a law against defamation of the nation's most beloved college mascot. You sure you're not orginally from Florida? If there's one dawg that doesn't need to perp for a living, it's Uga. You never saw a critter living in such luxury and adoration. Three squares of Gator meat every day and all the Yellowjacket and Tiger animal crackers he can handle.

I was more curious about the guilty parties being good ol' Bruins or Cal Bears . . .

I don't understand why people need to resort to such lows and can't respect other people's possessions? It's one thing if it's a bear, but a human being how sad!

Sad to hear of vandalism at the Portal. That's the last place I'd expect vandalism to occur, but I guess no place is safe.

--Amin

the switchbacks never technically close or open, it's a matter of which route makes the most sense due to conditions. the slope up to Trail Crest is very steep, hence the switchbacks. the cable section will be covered in a thick layer of very slick bumpy ice for several weeks. ice will be there on your trip. in trail runners it can be incredibly tricky or dangerous to cross. boots with Vibram soles add a bit more traction, but it truly depends on your skill and courage to try. some will try, some will turn-around and some will bring winter gear for those challenging sections. there are areas that you do NOT want to fall. when you encounter the ice, your group will need to make a decision.

regarding Marmots at Trail Camp, my advice is to keep all food and scented items out of your tent and in your bear canister and place that away from your tent. then zip-up your tent closed. leaving it open invites Marmots to come in and relieve themselves. it happens, i've seen it! and it is not fun to pack up a soiled tent after summiting. i have done countless backpack trips into Marmot country and i have never had a Marmot eat through my tent since i leave nothing in there that smells interesting.