Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Binoculars

Are they worth the weight (anywhere between 9oz. to a pound, depending on the model) in the pack on a day-trip up?

Trying to go as light as possible, but don't want regrets. Advice? Recommendations on models?

I carry them often, but seldom use them. If you were off trail they may be helpfull for route finding, on the main trail they'll just be for sightseeing. That may be worth a pound to you?

it seems i rarely regret carrying LESS stuff.

I carried a small pair the first time up, but never took them out of the case. Left them at home for the next three and didn't reget it. Dayhike or camping - the less weight the better.

I have a compact set of Minolta binocs that can't weigh over 8 oz. If I'm going somewhere that the trail or climbing route is visible, like the main trail on Whitney, I'll carry 'em and scout the trail ahead. Did so on Whitney, was able to see much of the switchback area between Trail Camp and Trail Crest.

Didn't use 'em other than that, and given the "easy but steep" nature of the Whitney trail, they were of marginal use.

On the other hand, when I've been climbing other peaks, I have found them very useful to get a better sense of off-trail routes up even relatively easy peaks.

I often carry a pair of compact binoculars, which I occasionally use. I have never worried about their weight. However, I bought a monocular this winter and have been leaving the binoculars home ever since. It weighs a couple of ounces and takes up very little space.

I have a pair of 8 oz leika 10 power compacts I carry with my camera. They are excellent for route finding and were welcome on the recent Whitney trip as we did not summit but enjoyed watching others for a few hours at trail crest last weekend. With them I could see climbers working up the switch backs, up the first ridge to the left of the snow field, across the rocks from the top and slugging up the snow slope. Only the last were visable with the naked eye. With the binnoculars I could see exactly what they were having to do to move up (little use or dependence on ice axe and little slipping). That being said, I like looking for wildlife and into inaccessable areas for caves etc. I've never actually needed them for anything.