Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Rangers!!!???

I hear that there are rangers on the mountain but I never see them. If I went up without a permit(backpacking overnight) what would my chances be that I would run into a ranger. If I did where would I see him.

I would say you have a 60% chance of running into a ranger on the main Whitney Trail. I also believe that this question had been asked before so do a search. A quick answer to where you would see a Ranger is: any where along the 22 mile trail, any time time of the day or night, trail head to the summit and anywhere in between.

If you snoozed and didn't get the dates you wanted, oh well, don't risk it.Learn how to use crampons and ice axe and do the MR.

I don't think it would be something you'd want to risk. Some other poster mentioned the new regulation that has to do with using a vehicle to commit a federal offense, and that they can confiscate the car. Thats one heck of a long walk back to Lone Pine. It seems that the addition of the full-time backcountry rangers means that they are checking the permits multiple times on the trail, as well.

This is purely anecdotal evidence, but I'd say you are llikely to run into rangers on the trail. I went up twice last year. On a day hike we saw rangers twice. On a multi-day hike we ran in to rangers at least once each day. They were definitely checking that you had permit tags.

I was on the North Fork (MR) side for 2 days in our failed attempt of 2001 - we saw a ranger near the top of the canyon and were checked for permits. Did not see one on the way down the next day.

Why risk a big fine for a $15 per person permit?

From what I understand , one way to beat the system is to leave the trailhead very early and in all probability you will not encounter a ranger until the way down . If at this point you can convince the ranger that you ascended via the MR you will be OK. However, trying this in the winter or spring when the route is much more difficult could be a problem. My suggestion is , follow the rules like most of us do. Renegade trail busters are one of the reasons the rest of us have to put up with changes in the regulations.

Hey Bta89...is that you...my younger brother....Seen any broken backpacks tossed off the pinnacle ridge lately?

JohnJ - are you familiar with the MR route?

If so, I'm talking the canyon below Lower Boyscout. In fact, we saw him just after we crossed by the icy waterfall and were ready to go up the Ebersbacher Ledges (Clyde's Traverse).

We're trying to decide now if we're going to give it another shot this year after 1 defeat by AMS and 1 by work not allowing my buddy to go at the last minute (yes, he quite that job!).

Defeat sucks when you've planned and trained for at least 6 months!

I second JohnJ's sentiment. The MR is more of a challenge than the main trail but the rewards are much sweeter. If you can't find a buddy to go with this year I will be starting the MR with my nephew the last Tuesday in June; KashKraft and his family will be starting just a day earlier on Monday.So, you will have company and climbing co-horts if you decide to go when we do.

And start getting into climbing shape now if you already haven't started. June is fast approaching. Being fit definately makes the trip more enjoyable.

If I make the choice to go for it again this year, it will be the MR for sure. Actually our plan last time was going to be 3 days up the MR (in order to savor the experience and acclimatize more slowly) and then 1 day down the main trail. I'm talking to my buddy from last time to see if he wants to go (and can get the time off this time!) and I'm considering seeing if my 12 year old son will be into it. I'm thinking if he is, I will get the permit to include him, and then evaluate whether I think he's going to be up to it and enjoy it as we get closer. If he doesn't end up going, I will have paid 15 bucks extra, but oh well. If he wants to, I want to make it a fun experience and give him as much chance of success as I can.

Aside from being sick so far since 12/31, I am already working on getting in shape for it. Well, I tend to try to be in good shape for many things as I have very diverse outdoor interests. . .

Or, first night at UBSL, second day summit and return to UBSL,or, carry pack up to Iceberg and drop it off before you go to the summit, third day walk out.

My ultimate goal (not for this trip) was to go up to UBSL, camp, do Russell East Ridge the next day, move to Iceberg, camp, go up MR and on to Muir, then down the trail. . .

In this case, I may make it UBSL, Iceberg, Summit, UBSL, down. . .4 nights. or something like that.

Definately recommend both Russell and Muir, they are great trips, and Russell is a much more enjoyable and challenging hike/climb than Whitney. The exposure on a few of those class 3 sections is awesome.
Eric J Lee

Tom- I've found 2 nights (preceded by a night at altitude driving up) on the MR is usually enough: LBSL, Iceberg . Gives plenty of time to acclimatize and good length hikes each day. I don't think the extra night at UBSL or LBSL on the way down is worth it - too keen on getting a burger from Doug at the portal store.

A few years back I took my nine year old nephew up the MR. We camped at the Portal the first night. We went up to UBSL for the second night. The third day was real short up to Iceberg Lake. On the fourth day we went up to the summit. Since he was scared by the exposure above the Notch, we went down the Main Trail and celebrated in Lone Pine. The fifth day we hiked back up to Iceberg to retrieve our gear (didn't bother to pull another permit). The sixth day we hiked out. It was a really fun trip for him and I enjoyed the leisurely pace that he set.

The following December, he got in a winter ascent. It took two trys (I got a case of AMS the first trip up, so we bailed.) but he did make it to the summit again.