Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Need info re. Mt. Whitney Trail climb

We are a group of 5 hikers who want to hike the Mt. Whitney Trail this summer (June/July 2008). We want to do the hike over two days, starting at the Whitney Portal, camping one night prior to reaching the summit and coming down the next day.

We are looking for porter help in carrying our stuff, but I'm not sure if commercial guided tours with porters operate on the Mt. Whitney Trail.

Any suggestions or pointers?

Thanks,

-- Sameer

Hi Most hikers can carry the light load needed for the one night stay, or do the trip as a day hike. Guides are not allowed to guide the Whitney Trail. A group of 5 should spread the load and do just fine. Try late June to mid July and may not need tents and less gear. Thanks Doug

Welcome to the board, Sameer. Check the Orientation notes on the left in the Feature Topics.

You have lots of time to plan your trip. Be sure to get into the permit lottery in February.

No porters allowed... well YOU are your own porter. Most people can overnight with about 25 pounds. If you go over 30, you are taking too much.

Get me a permit and I'll be your sherpa. I am experienced in the area and can tell a lot of lies around the camp fire...if we were allowed to have one.

My rates are $150/hr CIA, minimum 72 hours. Max weight including my own stuff, 50 lbs.

June and July, eh. I hope you have winter mountaineering skills to bring, you just might need them if it snows a lot this winter and spring.

OK, now I'm starting a bidding war...

$150/hr, 60 hr min, 80 lb max, plus sled...

Oh yeah, I cook, too...

Of course, that means I can only carry about 5 lbs of your stuff, since mine is already heavier than sin...

Hey, I thought the comedy writers were still on strike.

Sameer,

Is this a serious post? Do you really want someone else to carry stuff up the mountain for you?

Maybe they plan on glamping ?

Re: glamping...
Read the article.
You have got to be kidding me...!

CaT

hike only 2 days/1 overnight???
no need for mules or porters.

someone said 25 lb pack. waaaaayyy too much.
go light:

you need the same clothes and raingear for a 2 day as for a 1 day
so the only extra weight per person is:

sleep mat = 1 lb
20 deg summer down bag = 1 lb
lightweight tent 3 lbs for 2 people = 1.5 lb
larger fanny pack or daypack = 1 lb
one extra day food = 1 lb
no stove/fuel/cook set = 0. no need for 2 days

total extra weight for 2 day compared to one day =
only 5.5 lb per person

sound crazy? no. it is a good way to travel. try it.

Harvey

Sameer, One approach in the months before the hike is to build up your group's physical condition for carrying packs. For example, exercise regularly by carrying packs with weight on an inclined treadmill. Start with low weights and increase slowly. Good luck. Bob K.

Glampers......our civilization is doomed. Our wildernesses are doomed. Better buy some stock in logging companies.

>>> Peter Yesawich, chairman of the travel marketing services firm Ypartnership, said affluent travelers whose household income is more than $150,000 are interested in "soft adventure." <<<

This isn't soft adventure, it's soft people and no adventure.

Give this guy a call!!

Wow, their kid has never flown anything other than first class and never stayed at anything less than a four seasons. Money certainly can circumvent natural selection. I bet the kid doesn't catch a trout unless the guide hooks it and then hands the rod to the kid.

How can a kid learn self reliance? I guess you don't need self reliance at the four seasons. Just call the concierge and your trophy trout will be delivered mounted to your room. Cutthroat extra.

Wow, who the hell are these people? I would hate to bump into them on the trail, they might have armed bodyguards.

Sheesh, what's next someone to pack out your poop?

On that pic posted by njb... That's a mighty big load. Are those Moose antlers I see peeking out from behind?

Probably not ... looks like more than 80 pounds.

CaT

I was going to demand a steak and lobster dinner the night before like me and regular hiking partner do from time to time before heading up the trail but I thought it would be a deal killer.

Hmmm...60 hours, hmmm..I'll lower bid 59 1/2 hour min. but I need my steak and lobster. However, I won't wear any stinking antlers.

You see, wb, there's the difference. I would bring the lobster and steak with me to cook on the trail! Like the crabcakes I made at camp on Middle Pal...

Come on, you know the antlers ROCK!!
-L

PS: Clavote, I've already done the packing out someone else's poop thing. SOOOOO gross! But I remember that article: these kids will need therapy at some point to learn how to wipe (oh, was that too much??? ) Hey, at least I'll never be out of a job!

Damn, that would mean carrying both red and white wines, along with the Kahlua for after dinner coffee. You are a much better moose than I am.