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My buddy and I made a 2-day ascent on the Mountaineer's Route this weekend. The weather was awesome but the snow is melting fast making the approach to Lower Boy Scout Lake tougher each day and post-holing (especially without snowshoes like us) getting really irritating later in the afternoon. The film and photos I took will be made into a documentary of Whitney showing the approach along the Mountaineer's Route. I expect it to be available this summer on video. Here's a link to some of my pictures and descriptions: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=iffhnxr.5z4s5baf&x=0&y=-ac59yuIf it doesn't automatically hyperlink, just paste the URL into your address field to get there. When you get to the Ofoto link, just click on "View Photos" to bypass the Ofoto registration. Enjoy!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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gosc, your pictures are wonderful - thank you.
Can someone provide me with some answers, opinions, and directions?
I was viewing the gorgeous pictures from gosc who just summitted on the 20th. Regarding the “Notch” and the “Chute” just above it, do these lead to the main Whitney trail? How and where can I find them if I’m going from the Portal to the Summit on the main Whitney trail? Can I make my hike a loop by taking the “Chute” – then the “Notch” back down to Iceberg and the Boy Scout Lakes, and end up back at the Portal? And is some of that Class 3 or what?
Oh yes, and I assume I won't need an ice axe on 9/21/2004 - I know there is a probability, but most likely not, correct? And I assume it would be less difficult to go up that way rather than down?
When, where, and how can I see or acquire the video?
Thank you.
Talus
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Joined: May 2003
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The chute above the notch leads directly to the summit. If you search under Bob R's name, he posted a good picture last summer of the routes through the chute. The standard 'route' is to start on the left side and move to the right side about half-way up. Be sure to mark or note where you leave the chute when you get to the summit so you can find the start of your descent (there will be many cairns there in the summer where others have done the same).
There is a traverse just past the notch that will lead you to the main trail, but it is riskier than climbing the chute if there is snow (which persists there well into the summer).
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Joined: Mar 2004
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GOSC
Great pics- really enjoyed them. My friend & I are intending to climb Mt Whitney April 1-3. Have a couple of questions:
How were conditions crossing North Fork of Lone Pine Creek?
How far is the access road open to Whitney Portal?
Look forward to your video this summer
Regards
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Joined: Mar 2004
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LarryS,
We parked about a mile below Whitney Portal. With continued weather like this, you'll probably get even closer. Compared to 3 weeks ago, I had to park 5 miles below Whitney Portal!
Ascending along the bottom of the NF of Lone Pine Creek below LBSL is getting tougher by the day. When we started Friday morning, the snow was firm and crisp and only in one location did we have to "hop" to the other side of the creek. However, on the way down late Saturday afternoon, a considerable amount of snow had melted. We had to step in the creek a couple of times and fight through branches on the way down. If no new snow comes before your trip, you might consider taking the ledges. There's no snow or ice on the ledges that I could see.
Good luck!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Talus Scree,
The notch and the chute on the Mountaineer's Route are not part of the main Whitney Trail. You can find the top of the chute by following the southeast ridge of the summit plateau. However, the Class 3 portion is that chute. It is much easier going up than going down. But, once you're down that 100 yards, the rest will be much less hairy.
There probably won't be snow in September but keep checking weather and the message board for summit conditions.
I am starting pre-production of the film already. I expect it to be available in June, maybe earlier. If you want to be placed on a notification list, e-mail me your e-mail address to leejames2@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Very Nice pics, congratulations on your summit. Not to be picky, but your 20th picture where you state the altitude is off by 400 feet. Otherwise good job.
To Strive, To Seek, To Find, and Not To Yield.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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PS TS this is the third class section you see when you come out of the notch, you can pass this and traverse the North slope around to the summit. The north slope can be real nasty if its icy. http://community.webshots.com/photo/123630074/123635176CCiIIY
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Joined: Feb 2004
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looks like snowshoes are the call..... I hate using them, but what does everyone think? I have 2 weeks until I try...
oh yeah, what about permits this time of year for MR?? is it any big deal?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Sierra Sam, DF, & gosc, thank you very much; and Bob Rockwell's pictures would make a great map – I’m going to use them;
and Dave, “just below the notch” makes me feel like I’m there … rather like I wish I was. And that Class III section looks pretty tempting, enjoyed the other pics too. What does Dvc00105 and Dvc00103 mean? Thanks, TS
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Hey TS the DVC with numbers are the photos numbering system on my personal file and I have not taken the time to title them. Sometimes between work and the backcountry I get a little lazy. Good Luck and have fun!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Sierra Stryder: Thanks for catching my typo. It's fixed now to 14,496 ft!
Desey: My friend and I didn't use snowshoes. The only time when we could have used them was when the snow, especially on the south east facing slopes, got pretty mushy in the afternoon. We wanted to get to Iceberg Lake on the first day but stopped near Clyde Meadows because post-holing was taking a toll on us. We traveled the tougher parts early in the morning, even before dawn, to take advantage of the harder, frozen snow. You might also consider taking the ledges going up the NF of Lone Pine Creek to LBSL. A couple of the snow bridges were gone and the rest of the snow is melting fast.
Keep checking conditions, though. These past 3 weeks have been like summer but a new front could move in at any time before your trip.
Good luck!
Go SC!
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Desey - Through April 30, permits are self-issue at the Inyo ranger station in Lone Pine (south side of town on east side of 395).
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Lol..hate to be a pain in the ass..but I was wondering if you planned to do a "summer" version as well..lol..? The video looks awesome, but we are planning on going in September (little or no snow)...so would the winter video be worthwhile to get? Thanks..looks like a first-rate production judging from the preview!!  Regards.. BeachAV8R
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BeachAV8R,
Thanks for asking. I am actually in the planning process of making a summer Whitney video but it might be on the Whitney Trail. If you're interested in the MR, the winter climb is a bit different due to the extra snow/ice equipment and clothing but the route is one and the same.
gosc
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