Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Summit Mount Whitney end of May

Hi all my niece is plaining to join a friend to try to summit at the end of May. Although she’s very athletic and fit, she has zero experience with crampons and ice axe.
What are your thoughts and recommendation??
Thank you in advance

That's an easy one: she should get the experience. There are several mountaineering/guiding companies in the Sierra that offer weekend courses, like SMI (Kurt), SMC (S.P.), SMG (Howie), and others. If doing Whitney in snow conditions is a priority, than so should be the training.

I second this. Get some experience.

Ideally a training course with someone who will teach you everything you need to know. Then prior to Whitney, dive in somewhere in the mountains and practice what you learn to lock those skills in.

Those who run into trouble are typically ones who are not prepared (altitude, skills, checking conditions, gear).