Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Boots & Crampons?

I'm a beginner Mountain climber, but I have climbed Mt. Shasta before. It was in Mid-June, and I had to rent hard-shell mountaineering boots and step-in crampons, ice axe and gaiters. I'm hiking up Mt. Whitney this June (9th-10th) from the Portal to the summit via the main trail and staying overnight. I've got the clothes but for boots I've got some decent waterproof hiking boots w/ vibram soles.
Now, if I call two weeks before hand and the local word is "Crampons and Ice Axe needed for Main Mt. Whitney Trail":
1. Can ice axe, crampons and gaiters be rented somewhere in town?
2. If they can be rented, will the gaiters be step-ins(so that mountaineering boots will have to be rented, too) or will they be strap-ons?

Two friends and I are flying in from Ohio to do this so the less mountaineering gear we have to actually buy and haul on a plane, the better.

Probably the only place on the east side that you can rent this is Wilson's Eastside Sports. Here is their rental page:
http://www.eastsidesports.com/pages/rental.html

I assume that you were asking about crampons, rather than gaiters, and I think they are the kind that fit any boot, but you might want to ask them.

By the way, I don't see gaiters on their list, but you might ask.

Crap. Well, I know to be "prepared for anything" but unless it's still snowing in June, would we honestly need crampons and ice axe? I only ask because I remember people climbing beside me in at Mt. Shasta in just hiking boots and got all the way up to Red Banks(the steep part). Now, since the Mt. Whitney trail has the switchbacks instead of "a steep part", it kinda makes me think that ice axe and crampons may not be neccessary. Now, if there does happen to be crazy snowall when we get there in June, we could always run up to Bishop and rent the gear and be back if we need to, but if if it's likely we're gonna need it it' be better if we had it with us.

So bottom line: Should my buddies and I invest in Crampons and Ice Axes before we head out(not likely we'll need them afterwards, living in OH), haul them on the plane and across the desert or could we likely get by with good boots and maybe a walking stick? Any input appreciated....

The way the snow is melting, there might not be much snow left in mid June to worry about. A look at the Snow water content grid on the weather link shows the melt to be about 5 weeks ahead of normal. At this point I wouldn't bet on the need for crampons/ ice axe until it gets a little closer.

i am doing a 1 day hike to the summit on june 4. I got my crampons and ice axe ready to go incase of anything. I dont know if i am going to bring gattors though, I have not used them and i have hiked since mid march localy in the snow. I dont mined the extra weigh on my back w/ the crampon and axe. Ice and snow wont make me turn back if i got them with me.

If you train with a heavy pack its no big deal. I hike with tons of extra gear just for the weight. my pack is abou 20-25 lbs. When i do whitney ill drop it to about 15lbs hopfully.

stubbi makes a great crampon thats not that xpensive and work with any boot/ shoe.

leroux

I dooubt that you will need crampons and an ice ax on those dates (it is hitting record high temps on the west coast right now), but you never know. I don't recall seeing them anywhere in Lone Pine to rent them, but have seen them in one of the towns to the north (maybe Big Pine?) and I'm pretty sure that you can find them in Bishop.

Ask this message board the same questions one week before your planned trip. It will take all the guesswork out of your gear requirments. People will tell you exactly what the trail conditions are like and what stuff you need to bring.
You don't need crampons for the switchbacks or the the chute next to the switchbacks. You use crampons and an ice axe on the main trail on the traverse from the top of the switchbacks(Trail crest) to the top of Whitney(about 2 miles). If you slip off on this traverse, you will be seriously injured at least. Don't worry about snow, worry about ice.
You can rent all the stuff you need in Lone Pine at Lone Pine Sporting Goods. It is located right by the intersection of 395 and Whitney Portal Rd. Crampons are step-in and adjustable and they will show you how to use them. Gaiters are one size fits all, but you might want to buy your own.
DD

Speaking of the chute next to the switchbacks........you say you don't need ice axe and crampons to ascend? If that's the case, why do people take the switchbacks instead of just going up the chute?

I climbed Mt Whitney last year summited on June 9 at 9am.

Hiking boots should be fine there was snow on the trail in the switchbacks but it gets packed down enough by that time you shouldn't have a problem. We didn't even bother with crampons. Unless you plan on going up the chutes then ice axe and crampons will be needed. As long as you stay on the trail I won't worry about it. Gaiters aren't really necessary either the snow is hardpacked from the other so unless you don't want the ends of your pants a little wet I won't bother with those either.

Have a safe trip up and enjoy. Remember to pack as light as possible it makes the trip so much better when you don't carry alot of unneeded stuff.

Kain,
The switchbacks are covered in snow during the winter and most of spring. That is why you take the chute. It is much safer and shorter to kick steps in the chute than try to go up the icy switchbacks. You generally don't need to kick the steps with crampons, but you could use your ice axe for protection in a fall. YOu don't take the chute in summer, once the snow melts, because the ground is loose and it is just a steep scree pile. Then the switchbacks are easier to ascend.
If you climb the chute at night or in early morning, you may need crampons in winter/spring if the snow is too hard to kick steps.

I climbed Mt. Whitney on June 6 last year. For snow conditions then, see the <a href=http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert634908/1370939>pictures</a>. There should be less snow this year.

If the weather pattern continues typical, here are my expectations: I certainly wouldn't bother with gaiters. I also wouldn't take crampons or ice ax, although you will see quite a few people with them. Without an ax, you couldn't ascend/descend the chute to Trail Crest, but the switchbacks should be quite straightforward by then. There will be a little snow at a few corners, and across the cables area.

I assume you are staying at Trail Camp. If you get an early start for the summit, the snow on the switchback corners will be hard. You can just be careful here, using your hiking poles for stability, or have a pair of instep crampons along for these short stretches. Or, just wait until 8:00 or so to start up.

Soon the backside, between Trail Crest and the summit, will be almost devoid of snow except for a couple of short places. Here, there will be deep steps that others have made. Again, your hiking poles will feel good. The snow field just below the summit is a piece of cake, or you could just walk around it.

But the above assumes typical weather between now and June. As DustysDawg said, watch this board just before your trip. That and www.weather.com should give you an excellent picture of what to expect. If that unlikely killer storm does come in a couple of days before your trip, you will probably want to rent crampons, but I wouldn't bother with gaiters or ice ax. That fresh snow will melt quickly.

The trouble with recommendations is that we must make assumptions about your natural abilities, comfort level on delicate terrain with a little exposure, balance, how good you feel that day, etc. These we do based at least partially on our own experiences, and that is not always valid. It's good that a lot of people have responded so you can stir it all up, throw in a measure of what you know about yourself, and end up with a pretty good picture of what you face.

Don't forget mosquito repellent.

Last year, when we did Whitney by the NAP route in late June, we had crampons, but we never needed them once- even at the NAP cornice. Gaiters were a different story however. I hike in shorts and in the course of crossing the two ice fields near the top,(both at NAP and Whitney) we encountered trail sections possessing 2 foot deep ruts in the frozen stuff. As the ice/snow refreezes, jagged edges result that have razor sharp edges. To make a long story short, my shins were tore up. I remember thinking at the time, I wish I had some gaiters.

Cool, thanks for the input and advice everyone! Barring any unforseen weather changes, we'll probably go sans-crampons, ice axe and gaiters and just bring good clothes, boots and maybe a hiking stick/pole.

One last, potettialy silly, question: Is it likely that there will be enough snow in the chute by June 9th or anywhere else along the main trail to glissade down? Just saw some photos of people doing it recently and wondered if we might be able to do it when we're out there in June(in that case, maybe we will invest in ice axes).

I doubt it, but check back in a few weeks. If you do decide to glissade, be sure to take off your crampons or you have a very good chance of breaking an ankle. Also, try glissading on a gentle slope and work your way up for practice before you just jump in a chute on Whitney. When it is icy, it can get too slick to do any breaking - on ice 99% of the trip is great, but that last 1% is bad news.

I have found this thread very helpful. Can anybody bring us up to date on current conditions?

How muc hwater do you need? I have a 100oz camelback pack. SI 100oz goign to work?

Craig-
The amount of water needed is different for each hiker and your personal experience will be the best guide. There are many water sources on the lower part of the trail until trail camp. Above trail camp there is a spring that may be flowing around the 23 switchback of the notorious 97 switchbacks. Assuming you are filling your Camel back occasionally then the longest stretch you face is approximately 8-9 miles from trail camp/switchback spring to summit and back. This is also the highest elevation on the trail and some people find they feel better if they drink extra water during this stretch. I typically carry 4 liters during this section. Three in a bladder and one mixed with a sports drink. I would suggest doing a search on this topic and you will find many posts regardign water usage and the relative need for water filtration/treatment on the Whitney trail.

Bob--

Thank You for your reply... I am lookign at a new backpack and I noticed camelback has a coupel of nice packs with 2000 cubic inch packs and 100oz of water bladder and space to carry a secound bladder. But is this pack to big for whitney? I don't know if I should go with a internal frame or external...