Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board windy conditions

We were there , at trail camp, on sept.19.
It was suggested to me that it should be called camp misery instead.

We walked down a little and camped below with other wind-minding folks.

In the morning, the conditions were the same. We decided the climb would be very unpleaseant and dangerous at the windows.
We have 5 kids between the 2 of us.
We packed up and went down, with much regret.

The ranger at the visitor center told us the winds were 50 to 70 mph that day.

Were we too cautious , or arE those conditions common ? I want to go back to Whitney before I am too old.

Please, any advice ?

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL HIKERS OUT THERE. IT WAS GOOD TO FEEL WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

Before you're too old? Going up in a week with my dad who's 74.

My family and I were at the portal that weekend. The winds were super strong down there as well. A low pressure front from the north was coming in and causing the extreme wind. I've hiked in this area five other times this summer and all the other days the winds were much less, about 5-10 mph. You just had bad luck. Try again.

going up the mountain is optional, coming down safely is not.

If you think it is bad enough, then it is. You made the right decision for you and your family.

Just as a comparison, I was on Mammoth Crest in July. A close thunderstorm approached. We descended. A family of 5 was nearing the top. No raingear on any of them. Dad was carrying one toddler. I didn't see their obituary, but it could've been.

I was on Whitney 9/17. For two days earlier, the winds would have forced us to make the same decision you did. Congratulations, Harvey

No such thing as over cautious if you're looking out for safety. The mountain will still be there next time. By the way as far as the age thing. I've hiked behind this one german lady during my summit success back in August 20, and I gotta tell you, she was leaving me in the dust and she's 62 (I'm 33). I find that somehow inspiring if you ask me.