Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board summit first & then trailcamp overnight?

As an overnighter, has anyone tried hitting the summit 1st, then overnight at Trail Camp & back down the next day? Advantages or disadvantages?

The big advantage of staying at trail camp on an overnighter is the altitude adjustment. If you have time to do the summit the first day, I wonder why you are not just doing a day hike?

Certainly if you get an early start you could drop off your gear at trail camp and summit the first day. But that would put you on top later in the day. Afternoon weather on top tends to be more stormy during the summer (afternoon thunderstorms)

I agree, if you are in shape enough to make it to the summit in one day then you should skip trail camp all together. Start earlier, and day trip it. It only takes 6 hours to make it down from the top.
If however you decide that staying at trail camp would be better from your stand point, then stay at TC before you summit

I think you could do it with an early enough start and if the weather cooperated.

I did it as a 3 day hike last July. Up to Trail Camp. Summit and Trail Camp and then out the third day.

I started hiking around 7am. Was at Trail Camp around noon. I spent the rest of that day reading and talking to other folks. I guess if I had been inclined I might have done it as you suggest. Altho, I also got a bit of queasiness between Mirror Lake and Trail Camp - might have been "lunch" at 10am of cheese and dried fruit at Outpost Camp.

But then again, summitting the second day, I was able to spend a good two hours up there - just taking it all in (my third time).

And I again spent the rest of that day, lounging around, hiking out the 3rd day. I found that 3rd day tedious, particularly those last 2 or 3 miles.

Just did two days on the trail and believe spending a night at trail camp then heading up to the summit really worked out best for a great time and enjoyable experience. Spending a night looking at that ridge was a great pleasure and watching a storm come through was excellent entertainment for the evening. Then the next morning hitting the switchbacks early, warming up and getting to the summit before noon helps beat any weather you might get stuck in. Really best to get up there early.