Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board fatalities and injuries

i don't know if i should be asking this 10 days before doing a day hike up whitney, but i couldn't find much on this subject and my husband who's not passionate about hiking like i am is coming with me. Ofcourse, I don't want anything to happen to us, but if something happens to me, I could stand it better since it's my passion. I worry a bit about him, though. I know so many people go up-i'm curious on how many accidents there are. extreme side note- I read that some huge number like 30% of the people that attempt to hike Everest die. I know this is no Everest, but if anyone has stats on that, too, it's just amazing to me!!

Don't worry about it. Whitney gets some 10,000 hikers a year, and at most, there are only about 5 deaths a year. Many of these are doing something foolish, like the guy trying to slide on snow (glissade) next to the switchbacks, or staying in the summit hut during a lightning storm (now fixed by grounding, but still inadvisable). You can perish from hypothermia (freezing to death) if you fail to have warm or waterproof clothes in a rainstorm, but I haven't heard of that happening since 1978 or so. For prepared hikers, I can hardly think of a safer activity than hiking up Whitney. There are those who have heart conditions, or conk out from altitude, but that isn't a result directly from being on this mountain.

On Everest, maybe 100 people have died out of well over a thousand who have reached the summit. But that mountain is twice as high as Whitney--no comparison. Maybe you can compare this more to Denali--where for every hundred who summit, six die on its slopes.

But read the literature on accidents, and be prepared. Carry good gear and avoid the T-storms when they start to materialize. I hiked through one of the most severe storms along the ridgeline, without a poncho or parka, with cold wind and close striking lightning, yet I survived. You should be able to do much better than that!

Kim,

Your post was very cute. I'm certain you both will be just fine and have fun on your mutual adventure. Wish i could be there when you see the views for the first time. Bring the camera!

One quick bit of semantics which may help you understand the odds/risk business...The Whitney Main Trail is just that, a trail. You just follow it all the way to the top. Also on Whitney is a way to the summit called the Mountaineers Route which isn't really a trail at all but a natural weakness or route up the mountain. Beyond that you could even do a technical rock climb up the east face...

People don't really 'hike' up Everest. It is a technical climb which comes with alot more exposure and the related risk. What you are doing is much more reasonable. Just remember though...All backcountry travel demands self reliance. Look for a Sierra Club Chapter or similar group in your area when you get back. Great way to learn and make friends!

Remember that Whitney IS up there when it comes to altitude. Being fully hydrated is key in avoiding altitude related problems. If you can spend the night before in Lone Pine (4000 feet) or even better at one of the campsites near the Portal (8000 feet) you will feel better on the hike.

Finally, getting up big mountains takes a fair amount of will. If your husband is less motivated than you he may not be prepared to push all the way to the summit. I often do trips solo so I don't have to worry about this sort of thing. When I take my wife up mountains the summit is always secondary to making sure she has fun and wants to go again.

Hope this helps!

kim - I know this doesn't relate directly to your question, but from your posting, I made the assumptions that you are doing this as a day hike and that possibly this is the first time up Whitney for your husband. My question is, what time are you planning on beginning your hike?

kim - Also, after reading ouchmyfeet's posting below (being able to retroactively edit one's posts is handy), I have an additional question: What is the longest start-to-finish mileage your husband has ever hiked before, and on that hike, what was the approximate elevation and/or terrain like (bagging a peak, flat desert, city park, etc.)?

Where Whitney is concerned, better to ask questions 10 days before than not at all.

Yes, people die here. A couple a year, usually in the early season. Most doing things outside their skill set.

If you watch and react properly to the weather and listen to your body you will be ok.

Bill

Kim:

I think you are correct to approach climbing any big mountain by any route with respect. People die every year climbing these things, but many, many more climb completely safely. It is smart for you to understand the differences to make sure that you are in the group that has a great and safe experience.

Every mountain has a different mix of risks, but they fall into the same general categories: weather, altitude, route hazards, getting lost, physical. The real issue is the climbers skills and judgement relative to those factors.

If you stay away from the summit area during storms, you will avoid the major weather risk of lightening on Whitney in the summer. Getting to the top early is one way to avoid storms since they usually (but not always) come up in the afternoon.

Altitude is really a matter of listening to your body. An altitude headache and hard breathing often comes with climbing high. If either starts to get severe, turn around and go back down - the mountain will still be there another time. Spending a few days at altitude before climbing is the best way to prevent the problem.

Mountaineering route hazards (avalanches, rock fall, crevasses, exposure, etc.) on the main Whitney trail in summer are few. That is one of the reasons why Whitney is so popular. Just remember that most climbing accidents happen on the descent when people are tired and stay focused on climbing down safely.
Getting lost is also hard, but not impossible, to do on the main Whitney trail. Bring a map and compass (know how to read it), wait and ask someone if you are not sure which way to go, and consider a GPS as backup only. Bring a headlight in case you are still on the trail in the dark. If you don't know where to go in the day and especially the night, sit down and wait rather than wandering around lost.

Physical: hydration is easy: drink continuously on the mountain. The color of your pee tells you if it is enough: clear = good, yellow = more water needed. Around a half-liter to a liter an hour is a reasonable starting point. Feet are the next biggest physical issue: be sure that your feet and your boots are well acquainted before starting a big climb. Bring something along in case of blisters. Sun is intense up high: use sunscreen liberally (lips too). Bring gear to stay warm and dress in layers so you can adjust to the big temperature swings during the climb.

So you can see, the risks are relatively few and pretty well managed if you use good judgment on Whitney. There are plenty of other climbers who can help you out, so don't hesitiate to ask for help if you need it along the way. Climb safe and have fun!

On a side note to Kim's message....I'm totally jealous of your husband. My wife has absolutely no interest in hiking...or much outdoors for that matter...and there's no place I'd rather be than on a trail somewhere (the more remote the better) I can't imagine how cool it would be to have a partner that's as excited about carrying a 40 pound pack in bear infested woods as I am. Anyway....I give your husband credit for being willing to accompany you, even if he doesn't share your passion. Whitney a tough one though for someone who doesn't particularly want to be there in the first place. That last couple miles...when your legs are tired and your head hurts...is all mental...those who truly want to be there will see the summit..those who don't won't.
Have a great hike!

wow, you all are great. so much great info and quick, too. I was not aware of this website and only had 2 mths to prep. I've been reading books and on the web a bit and the only msg boards i've used was arizonahikers.com, which was mostly focused on AZ.

4xsummit-I've read stuff in books and on line about accidents-hypothermia..., but not specific accidents that have happened on Whitney accept a few that one Whitney book had listed in the back. Are you talking about a message board on accidents on this website or another source?

Alpine Swine-cute email?well, nice to know I made someone smile! I'm not sure if we'll camp near portal or stay in a hotel in Lone Pine. I'm wondering about the whole sleep thing. I read that you don't have to worry about sleep the night before as much as they night before that as you won't sleep, anyway. I get really cold and am sure it'll be cold camping at Portal, but we'll already be there instead of having to drive... Part of it depends on if there are spots available. I would hope so, as we're going july 3, may stay in a hotel or camp somewhere the first night, acclimate the next 2 days (what about the whole sleep low-hike high theory??), then dayhike on the 6th.

CA trailwalker-yes, 1st trip to whitney and it will be a dayhike. i live in phx, so the altitude will be quite higher.
Not sure if we should start the hike at midnight or closer to 5am to get more sleep. i like the idea of missing storms, ofcourse, like Sierra Sam said. I heard if you start early, u may get lost and end up on the mountaineer trail, which i don't want to do.

longest hike i've done was rim to rim to rim in 3 days. my husband's longest hike was a couple weeks ago; weatherford trail in AZ-he didn't make it to the summit of mt humphrey. took 12 hrs to hike prob 3k ft starting around 8+k altitude and about 16.5 miles (all the books say a different length). He was hurting as he had done some weight training on his legs a few days before and had back pain, so it was a miserable trip for him. We were both limping, as I had a knee brace on (just started with the slight knee prob due to training for this hike). That was a day hike. He also backpacked with me (prob 40 lbs) up florida canyon to mt wrightson in AZ-from what i rmember it was 3+k ft starting at 7-8k ft and prob 12-14 miles. He was also pretty miserable on that one. We hiked Mt Humphrey (tallest mtn in AZ)-8.8 miles, up 3.330 feet starting at over 9k ft and ending at 11,631. He got emotional on that one-he was proud of himself.

Ouchmyfeet-yah, it's wierd how it works like that, that my husband doesn't like hiking and traveling to central america and all that stuff i like. i'm also a musician and all of these hobbies are mostly hobbies that guys do. at least he tries...

I'm wondering how much clothes i should bring. we have good marmot rain jackets, but i don't want to spend $100 for the pants for a day hike-was thinking of getting cheapies at Walmart or something, but they wouldn't be breathable, so i don't know how that would work-I was going to wear a short sleeve synthetic and bring a long sleeve synthetic, fleece, and the rain jacket. i'm starting to think we should bring 2 fleeces each, just incase. they don't weight much-better safe than sorry???

Finally, as far as accidents, it seems like the biggest probs would be hypothermia if getting caught in a storm or lost or spraining an ankle and not making it down in time and HAPES and HACES. It seems hard to tell if you're getting HAPES or HACES or AMS. I just hope we dont' push ourselves to where we get those sxs-seems a little confusing.

thx for all the great info, again! Kim

Just curious 4xSummit, how did that guy die glissading down that chute? Did he lose control of his glissade? Did he hit a boulder?

First, don't worry - you are not going to accidently end up on the mountaineer's route. You actually have to know where the mountaineer's route starts to even get on it. My first 2 times up the main trail I walked right by it not knowing it was there.

The main trail is extremely well defined. My first time up, which was a day hike, we left at 2am and there was no moon. I carried a pocket-size maglite and could only see 3 feet in front of me. Had no problem staying on the trail. Made it up to Trail Camp before the first hint of sunlight. Of course I couldn't enjoy the scenery while it was dark. Got to do that on the way down. It got stormy on the summit after we left. Glad we had started early.

Howdy Kim:

Definitely some very solid advice so far.
The people on this board are great!!

We just completeed the trip last weekend and had great success...I even got engaged to my future wife on the summit .....

My fiance has somewhat less experience than I with these sorts of things, but she did phenominal...I gave her a Mantra for the trail if she started to get nervous or tired - "It's just a da*m trail..."
That worked out quite well...

Some aditional tips we found useful:

BE HYRATED!!! This is most impt. to preventing AMS.

Move along at YOUR pace!!! This is also key for having enough energy and not getting AMS...Regarding your proposed departure time, I would suggest leaving at midnight and taking a mellow pace...this will probably serve you better than a few extra hours of sleep. Plus, the afternoon thunderstorms can be pretty gnarly above trail crest, so early is GOOD!!!

We also tried to take in some calories every hour or two...this is key to maintaining energy and mental altertness...Alos a great excuse to eat a King size Snickers!!!

Choice of clothing is totally personal...I like to be windproof and waterproof anytime I am away from my tent or at high altitude. Your ideas sound pretty good, but don't over do it because it will not be terrably cold...maybe a bit chilly.

Overall, Have a great time and be careful...keep putting on foot in front of the other and you will make it. As stated before, mental toughness is key for the final 2-2.5 mile stretch.

BTW...The gentleman who perished on the snow slope last year tried to ride down the chute on a poncho with his wife late in the day when it was icey?!? You can review the previous dialogues and posts on that if you wish. Without dredging that incident up too much, this was an increadibly dumb thing to do and that accident (like most) could have been avoided. People at trail camp searched for them all night long...the wife survived and unfortunately he didi not.

I climbed that slope last May and the angle will definitely get your attention...especially at the top. I am far from an expert mountaineer, but I can hold my own...I would never dream of attempting something like that (riding down on a poncho just reaks of danger and stupidity)...on the way down, even glissading the first 50-feet was pretty scary and I plung-stepped a good bit of it.

Take Care.........Icculus

how did that guy die glissading down that chute? Did he lose control of his glissade?

The answer to this question is usually the same on all mountains, not just Whitney. Of course he lost control. In this case they were glissading around 5 pm and the chute had started icing up. The SAR report did not mention if they had ice axes so I'd assume they didn't or couldn't self arrest properly. Sometimes the slope is just too steep for the snow conditions. You need to use good judgement.

I recently did a solo carryover from the MR and caught up with a group doing the same damn thing at 6 pm. I asked them to reconsider and they blew me off with smirks all around. The first guy really got it...Head over heels and pack exploded all over the slope.

Long story short I went down the snow and ice covered switchbacks, no cables yet, and beat everyone to Trail Camp. Even had my tent set up when they got there. Turns out their camp was at Outpost so they spent the evening in the solar toilet enjoying the Power Bars they bummed off of me.

I'll be the first to tell you that I am NOT any kind of Superman. But in the above scenario I had some extra skills that made it possible for me to make a better decision. Or put another way...Having a little experience made it easier for me to be SCARED of what those guys were taking so lightly.

Swine,
Nothing beats the old & sometimes overused saying "Better safe than sorry". I bet those guys felt dumb not taking your advice.

A notable world-renowned ice climber recommends using a rope, even, when testing out a slope for a glissade, if you are not sure. Some times it is hard to tell. While upper portions may seem soft enough, a lower part may be icy and frozen up. I've taken some uncontrolled slides, and even at a slow speed, it is pretty scary. Having an ice axe or ski poles doesn't always mean you can stop yourself.

I read some accident accounts on some SAR website, but looking at the China Lake one, I see no more stories of such. Bob R has a lot of information, he used to do that. You can go to a mountaineering bookstore or booksection to read through CA in the American Alpine Club North American Mountaineering Accident Reports. They are published yearly, and contain analysis of the errors that the injured or deceased made.

Just stick to the trail and watch the weather. If you don't feel right about something, turn back. Better a peak defeat than injury and thousands in medical bills. So much as a broken ankle will cost dearly if you have no health insurance. I've heard of broken legs running $50,000 when all is over.

I was going for a 2X on a high 3/class 4 peak in Northern CA when my nerve gave out. I had done the climb before, but climbing solo and uncertain of my present climbing ability, I decided to save myself the worry and head back down. Defeat is sour, but better than trying to get back down on a steep section and then hurt yourself due to a slip. I'm still hiking and climbing, not laid up with an injury. And I can go back (with a rope and partner) anytime!

Kim (and any others)

One other item of clothing - gloves or mittens when you reach Trail Crest, even if you have been in warming sunshine, you cross over to the dark side (G) - you do drop and stay on the shadowy side for sufficient time/distance that it can be quite chilly. If you are using poles, your hands would be exposed. Having been warned, I used a clean pair of socks since my windshell mittens had been left in the car at the 90F+ Portal!!!

Have a great trip.

kim,

Re: HACE/HAPE/AMS - High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) are two serious forms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). For more info, copy and paste the following link into your browser. I would recommend that both you and your husband make time to read the entire piece before you take your hike, so the information will be fresh in each of your minds:

http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/AMS.html#AMS

Re: Husband's longest previous hike versus Whitney: The Main Whitney Trail is 22.4 miles round trip with a net 6,000+' elevation gain from the trailhead (8,361') to the summit (14,497'). Just something to keep in mind as you finalize your planning, etc.

When you get a chance, I'm sure folks here would enjoy whatever trip report, post-hike, you would care to share, to let us all know how it went.

CaT
(B.A.-Music)

If the glissading accident you're referring to happened last year, it was late, the chute had iced up and a couple (a man and a woman) attempted to glissade down without ice axe or trekking poles but on something like a tarp (which apparently they had done successfully before). They lost control and the man died. The woman was injured, but was rescued and survived.

attempted to glissade down without ice axe or trekking poles but on something like a tarp

This kind of stuff makes me want to scream. I can't imagine endangering my wife (or my life) this way. With all due respect to the dead and to the MORE unfortunate souls that survive them I offer the following advice:

1.) A trekking pole is the last thing you need on anything that involves snow or ice plus an agressive angle of relief. You will never stop a fall with a trekking pole (even with that interesting BD spike attachment). If you are not belayed or at least simul-climbing an ixe axe is your best friend and (last) best hope.

2.) Anything slick such as technical clothing (GoreTex) or a tarp turns your body into a sled. A sled is very much like a bicycle when launched down a hill...It doesn't want to stop. Bikes have brakes though and most sleds don't. Without an ice axe you don't (have a brake).

Also without knowing the course of the 'run' below there is no telling where you'll hit rocks or other obstacles (even crevasses on glaciated mountains).

THINK ABOUT IT:

IF YOU AREN'T SURE ABOUT THE RISKS DON'T DO IT!

IF YOU ARE TOO SURE ABOUT THE RISKS DON'T DO IT!

A little off subject but someone suggested gloves for the shady west side of the ridge. I use a pair of trekking poles and have found that cycling gloves (without the fingertips from the second kncuckle to the tip) provide reasonable warmth and a good feel of the pole.

I use a pair of trekking poles and have found that cycling gloves (without the fingertips from the second kncuckle to the tip) provide reasonable warmth and a good feel of the pole.

Some rock climbers like these gloves too (for feel) and swear by them. Others like the full fingered leather 'work gloves' from your local hardware store for rope handling.

Trekking poles are fine but I see alot of people depending on them to support weight in their pack that they can't really handle. Train with 10-20 percent more weight than you carry on a real trip. Then use poles for their intended funtion: A 3rd and 4th point of BALANCE.

AND WHEN THE FIT HITS THE SHAN STRAP 'EM TO YOUR PACK AND BREAK OUT THE AXE!!!