Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Main trail in October

Hi everyone, I'm new to the board. A brief background about myself: I'm 27, 5'10'', 150lbs., and have recently gotten into hiking. I workout my legs and run regularly and consider myself to be in "very good" physical shape. I've done Saddleback Mountain in Orange county a few times, San Jacinto via the tram several times (once in the winter w/ snow) and Half Dome. I attempted a guided summit climb of Mt. Shasta but we had to turn back around 12,500' because of a bad storm (nasty lenticular cloud). On all of my hikes I've always felt great and never struggled. I had plenty of energy and felt fine on Shasta at 12,500. Other than spending a night on Shasta, I've never really backpacked. I was fine carrying my ~40lbs. pack up to base camp on Shasta. I have experience in self-arrest practice and I know how to use crampons.

I'm thinking of trying my hand at the main trail sometime in October as it looks like there are lots of overnight permits available then. My (tentative) plan is to arive around midday at the trailhead and hike up to Outpost Camp. Spend one night at Outpost and then leave early (~5AM) for the summit with a light daypack.

As preparation for this, I want to do 2 things in the coming months: (1) do a simple overnight trip with all of my gear in the local SoCal mountains, and (2) Hike up White Mountain Peak. In addition, I'll probably do some local hikes and keep up with my normal running and workouts.

So, after that long-winded introduction, a few questions:

1.) Am I being overly ambitious or do I have a reasonable chance at success?
2.) What type of conditions am I likely to encounter in October on the main trail?
3.) Do I need a bear canister for camping in October at Outpost?
4.) Should I look for partners or is this a reasonable solo goal?

1. reasonable, although Trail Camp would probably be a better camp, since you've not had altitude issues in the past, and makes for a more pleasant summit day.
2.Unpredictable at this point, although historically, the trail should be dry and clear.
3. yes
4. reasonable solo goal

Sounds like you've got a good plan, you're making excellent preparations, and you are in great shape. I concur with Ken. Hopefully no lenticular will get you on Whitney!

I just went up on Sunday by myself. I normally like hiking by myself but this time really screwed with my head. It is so dark on that trail at night. The peaks are so high, I never saw the moon & my head light was not bright enough. I was looking for the switchbacks above trail camp & hopped onto the OLD switchbacks to the left. I was half way up the east face of Mt. Muir before I realized it. I almost went crazy talking to myself. Bring a friend, more fun, more light!

Kim, your headlight must have been real dim. Mt. Muir is to the right, but you said you went to the left? And you went on OLD switchbacks to the left? Sounds like you had quite an adventure and found a new way up the mountain?

To answer a few questions and a suggest or two...

1. Yes

2. Wonderful fall weather to a nasty blizzard

3. Yes you need a canister

4. Based on your experience and what appears to be tendencies towards caution I would say a solo summit attempt is a reasonable goal if the weather co-operates.

Rather than White Mountain, I would utilize Mt. Langley as a tune up. Langley is backpacking trip that gets you a night over 11,000' and it is a lot more fun and challenging than White.

2. To just back up what Wbtravis stated.The first time I ever attempted Whitney was late October (the 30th I think). The weather going in was great, nice and sunny, warm even. That night at Trail Camp a severe snow storm came in-the temps went from 70 degrees on the 30th to about 30 degrees with snow flurries on the 31st. Everyone at Trail Camp packed up and left as fast as possible. It wasn't the snow that was the problem it was the cold howling wind that made it very unpleasant-very much like you'd find on Shasta.

Thanks for the replieis everyone. From the feedback I've gotten, I think I'll stay on target for an October trip. I'll also look into Mt. Langley as a possible prep-hike.

I tend to err on the side of caution, so I plan to bring my crampons, ice axe, etc. just in case. I'll also be using a 4-season tent, although I haven't purchased one yet. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to discuss gear but I'm considering the Mountain Hardwear Spire 2 (~5 lbs., 4-season). Any feedback on this tent or another suggestion would be appreciated. Of course, I won't be using it exclusively for Whitney.

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=3&cat=26&prod=296

1.) Very reasonable - your preparation plan sounds good. Be sure to get 2-3 nights at at least 7,000 before you go up
2.) Last year on 10/9-10/10 there was ample snow that dropped on the mountain. It's a good idea to have your crampons and ice axe with you - check the weather forecast just before you set foot on the trail
3.) Bear Cannisters - Yes
4.) Definitely reasonable as a solo trip - since it is your first time, you might look to hook up with a fellow hiker or group. I will be entering the MMWT on 10/2, exiting 10/3

Good luck!!!

That MH Spire tent seems interesting to me. It's very light and is stated to be a 4 season tent. However I notice that it's not listed as an expedition tent, it's in the "lightweight" section.

I would bet it's a good mild winter tent, but may not hold up under strong winds and heavy snows. It would be good to know, if it where suitable for harsh winter conditions it would be a great purchase.

Ya it was crazy steep! I ran into a ranger who told me I was on some old switchbacks on Mt. Muir. I was south of trail crest any ideas?

That's what I was thinking as well re it being good for mild winter conditions. Everywhere lists it as a 4-season tent and the MH description calls it an "expedition tent." It seems like a good tent for what I plan on doing but I wouldn't want to be in harsh winter conditions with it unless I knew it was bomber. I'll probably end up getting it through REI so I can return it if it doesn't seem solid. I'll let you know how it works out if I get it.

HikerB, I live in Orange County and do all the hikes you mentioned and I also will be doing the Main Trial on Sept 30 - Oct 1st and have one open spot as of now. Send me an email at pmoran@assurancecapital.com and let's start talking. I have two other friends that I hike with that will be making the trip as well. I did the Main Trial last July 2nd with two nights at the Horsemeadows to acclimate prior to hiking up to Trail Camp on the 1st of July and summiting on the 2nd. Between now and then I should be hitting White Mountain at the end of August and Lyell (the highest Peak in Yosemite) in mid August. I just returned from four days at Horseshoe Meadows, Cottonwood Lakes, and summiting Mount Langley. If you don't want to hook up that fine also but if you are planning on doing it that weekend we can always look for each other on the trail. It sounds to me like you are doing plenty of prep work to be ready. With the dry winter and the extremely hot temperatures we've been having the snow may or may not come early this year. October should be fine.

Send me a note and we can start chating.

Thanks Lilbitmor

if you are going to cross the Lyell Glacier to do Lyell - add McClure in - it only add about an extra 1.0-1.5hrs to the trip

HikerB,

That is a glorified one person tent for winter. My solo winter mountaineering tent is wider than that one. If conditions suck you are every inch of that tent for your needs.

Take a lot at some Hilleberg tents.

http://www.hilleberg.com/Home.htm

Well I'd more than likely only use it as a one-person most of the time. I'll take a look at those Hillbers though.

Thanks, Lilbitmor, I sent you a PM.