Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hiking Whitney in one day

I apologize if this topic has been covered before (I'm sure it has) but I wasn't able to locate anything using the search function (perhaps my searching skills are mediocre).

My wife and I want to try to hike Whitney this summer. The only permits still available are for day hikes, so I was planning to apply for a July permit at the end of this month. We're both in pretty good shape and have done some long day hikes in the past, including Half Dome in Yosemite. I realize, however, that nothing we've done before will likely compare to a day hike up Whitney.

So, my question is, is it doable for someone in their early thirties in decent shape to hike Whitney in a day? Or are we setting ourselves up for failure?

It's a long day hike, but very do-able for someone in average shape in the summer unless the thin air makes you sick. The trail is only about an average of 550 feet gain per mile, so not very steep. I had been only hiking a short time when I did my first day hike up the Main Trail - I struggle above 10,000 feet elevation due to the thinner air, but I still made it up just fine.

Thanks wingding. What time in the morning did you start out?

I've also heard that you can get some prescription medicine to deal with altitude sickness -- is that worth it?

I solo day hiked Whitney in December via the Main Trail when I was a month away from age 35 (I also was a regular smoker at the time). Prior to that, I'd only hiked 3 other smaller peaks, all being below 11,500' el. Fortunately, I did not have any issues with AMS. It might be worthwhile to obtain a Rx for Diamox (couldn't hurt). I'd just make sure you drink plenty of H2O (hydration is key). Also, I started out at 0300 (it was winter, but a low snow year).

Good luck!

This topic had been covered before, but in many threads that may have unrevealing titles. It turns out that many people do the Whitney hike in a day. Nevertheless, it is not for everyone. To get an idea of your odds, there are many hikes of similar difficulty. In Southern California, a lot of people get ready for Whitney, and gauge their fitness for it, by doing hikes like San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek. Of course, Whitney is a fair amount higher. One can do a hike like White Mountain to see how 14000' feels.

There are lots of discussions of topics like training hikes in Southern California. A few examples:
Mt. Baldy training hikes
Spring training in Southern California
First timer training

Don't give up hope for an overnight permit, especially mid-week, as there are lots of no-shows. You'd most like need to drive to the Lone Pine VC in order to obtain one first, so there's a small amount of risk. Do some searches, read the FAQ's - this topic has also been much discussed over the past few months.

You'll be just fine!! I hiked to the summit last year with a group of about 10, all of which were over 40 (minus 2 of us who are in our early 30s)...everyone did just fine, and no altitude sickness. It's a very good idea to camp for at least 2 nights at or above 8,000ft before your hike if you can. It helped us out greatly! Everyone lived at 250-500 ft.

Most of our group walked or hiked a few times a week prior to the hike, and they did just fine. Oh yeah, we started at 2:30 am, and the slower crew said they had wished they would have started at 1:00 in order to get to the top before the clouds rolled in. Anyhow, you'll do great!! Have fun with it, take your time, eat good food, drink lots of water, and enjoy the views!!

Yes, echoing other comments made, it is certainly doable.

If you've done Half Dome from Happy Isles, add another 40-50% in terms of time, given the higher starting and finishing elevations and longer distance. Late July/August should not see much snow although there may be some on the higher switchbacks, only time will tell.

The few times I've day hiked Whitney I have started about 3:30 -4:30 am. The early start is due to the thunderstorms that happen in the afternoon in the summer. Most of the time the storms don't strike until noon or later, so you want to time it so that you can be heading off the summit by around noon.

If it wasn't for the afternoon storms, you could start anytime of day in the summer - the trail is easy to follow in the dark with a headlamp.

I haven't found any perscription medicines that help get me up to 14,000' without a struggle, so there's no magic pill for me. I often do take a Clariton D for congestion when I day hike to above 11,000 feet and that seems to help my day go better. I don't get sick as I get higher - I just move slower.

You can take Diamox, but don't overdo it. Something like half a 250 mg pill twice a day starting one or two days before your hike. But you really shouldn't take it unless you are sure you get AMS at the altitude. Better altitude preparation is to spend two days before the hike at 8 to 10k elev.

And when you go, you might take along overnight backpacking gear just in case. It is VERY likely that you can pick up a couple of no-show permits to do the overnight. (You can see from the unused permits 2007 page that there were overnight permits available almost every day last summer.)

And if you get the overnight permits, Doug and others recommend staying at Outpost Camp rather than Trail Camp -- sleeping at the lower elevation is nicer, and you don't have to carry all the heavy gear so far, so you are more rested the next day for the big dayhike to the top.

A day hike is not a problem. I have done several and never had any issues with altitude. My last hike in 2006 was my only hike for the year, however I do mountain bike 2-3 times a week all year in the Santa Monica Mtns. That hike/run down took me 7.5 hours up and back, not bad for 40 years old.

Here is my advice to you that saved HOURS on the hike for me. Pack as light as possible. Bring a wind breaker, mole skin, food,2-3 packs of CytoMax, water purification tabs (one with a neutralizer, they work great), Tums, Motrin, and a 100 OZ Camelback full of water. Also pack an empty 1Qt container. You will use this to make water along the way once you drink your 100OZ. Use the CytoMax in the purified water if you want.

Start out 3-3:30 and keep sipping the water. If you have a clear night, one light will work for both of you. If someone starts to not feel well, take a Tums & Motrin. If it does not get better quickly, turn back as it will only get worse. If you see clouds building, turn back.

If you travel light and safe, reaching the top will not be a problem.

Enjoy!

You're never setting yourself up for failure if you define "success" as having a good hike in beautiful mountains that may or may not reach a summit.

I did Whitney as a day hike this past summer at age 70. I did it as a day hike once previously (age 62) and tried, but did not summit, at age 69. My first time up was decades ago at the end of a JMT through hike. My reason for choosing to do it as a day hike now is that I don't want to carry all the stuff needed for an overnight.

I hike every week, mostly in So. California mountains. I'm not acclimated to 14K but it doesn't seem to be a huge problem for me. That is a very individual thing and nobody else's experience is going to tell you how your body will respond. I second the suggestion of hiking White Mtn. in the week beforehand to find out how you do at 14K and to acclimate.

Go, have fun, and don't be so fixed on summiting that you don't enjoy the view or, worse, do something dumb.

Well, I'd say you've found the perfect starting point by finding, registering, and posting on this board! As the new quota year gets underway, there will be lots more information on conditions, training, and preparing for the big hike.

I will join in everyone's enthusiasm here in saying, "Go for it!" I never thought I'd be able to dayhike Whitney, but after a 16 hour day on the MR almost a year ago, I felt amazed that I had done it. I would heartily agree also with BurtW's comments on enjoying the adventure, no matter what the outcome. While often compared to the 405 fwy (myself included on that!), the Main Trail is by far one of my favorite hiking areas, and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Some other (what I think) salient points:
1) Read a few books on the hike. Doug Sr has a great overview book, Peter Croft's Climbing Mt. Whitney, and Paul Richins, Jr's Mount Whitney: The Complete Trailhead-to-Summit Hiking Guide will give you a solid idea of the undertaking.

2) Buy HikeAlongPete's video of the Whitney Trail ( http://www.trailvista.com/ ) or do a search here on the board. He posted the entire video in segments last year, and it really helped my visualize what I was getting myself into, setting landmarks, etc.

3) Alan mentioned the Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio as one trainer for Whitney. There are tons of opportunities in SoCal for big mileage and elevation gain days, despite not getting up above 11,5K or so. San Bernardino Peak, with 16 miles RT and somewhere around 5K of gain omes to mind. Check out a few hiking guidebooks for ideas. Use these hikes to try out food/water/electrolyte replacement options to see what works best for each of you, remembering that your nutritional needs and your wife's will probably be different.

4) More reading: check out the tips that Verstile Fred has posted on the left border of the board here. They are a constant source of clear (and most recently updated) information on pretty much everything.

5) Have fun! Have fun! Have fun! This is not a death march! Well, at least it shouldn't be!

So many more points are out there in terms of how to get it all together. But preparation is the key to any successful adventure. Have a blast with the process and all the best on your hike!

-Laura

Yes it is doable for some one in their early thirties. I am 48 and have done Whitney as a day hike 8 out of the last 11 years. I turned around one year due to snow and ice.(mid-September) It did not feel safe for me, so I turned around. The mountain will always be there. I usually do it with my wife who is 6 months younger than I am. We do a couple of day hikes down in S. Cal. to prepare. I also do stairs down at the beach each morning for two weeks prior.

I will be doing it twice this year, once at the end of doing the whole JMT and again as a day hike in September. Have fun and be safe.

I just turned 61 and have completed 5 day hikes successfully in the last six years. And, I have another permit for September 1! Acclimate! Aside from being in good shape, it is extremly important to acclimate. Remember, you will be going to nearly 14,500'. And you need to drink and munch as you go. It is a great trip to do in a day, and it is a long day, but very doable.
You can pm me if you would like.
Bobd

See the following posts for more information:
  Decide whether to day hike or stay overnight
  Develop your pre-hike conditioning strategy and set your group limit
  Develop your acclimatization plan
  Acclimatize without camping

You should be okay if your body can handle the altitude without developing AMS (after proper acclimation). Just have contingency plans in place in case something unexpected happens. The mountain will still be there next year.

Wow! Thanks for all the great information -- I apologize for my mediocre search skills, but thanks for pointing me in the right direction. We're going to give the day hike a shot and if we don't make the summit, we'll certainly enjoy the journey. Now I just need to get my permit application approved...

Why give up on backpacking? The distance doubles from Horseshoe Meadow but the trip can be done in 3 days if you are in good but not necessarily great shape.

I have found Diamox to be effective, I use it for every trip overnight trip over 8,000'.I find proper dosing to be an individual thing, therefore, I would not recommend a dose amount or schedule to you. It took me 6 years to find one which worked for me...working being, mostly effective with minimal side effects. This drug does not work for everyone, one of my partner found no relief of symptoms no matter how he scheduled it.

If you haven't been to 14,000' before; get there before going to Mt. Whitney. This will relieve a lot of anxiety and tell you if you need to use drugs to go high. The place for this is White Mountain above Bishop. Because the Whites are in the shadow of the Sierra, this mountain is mostly free of snow in June.

By all means, at least give it a try!

Personally, my biggest obstacle is the altitude, which you cannot train for. To combat this, my bit of advice that (if you have the time,)would be to do some small hikes on Whitney before you try the complete day hike, such as first to Lone Pine Lake, then the next day go a little further, then do the day hike. This is also a great wake up for your legs!!

Also decide if you're going to carry all your fluid from the start, or filter water as you go. I personally carry from the start, and eat good carbs such as good 'ol PB&J sandwichs, and CLIFF bars. Also a great treat is a Snickers bar!

Keep in mind, the earlier you start, the earlier you finish and you can relax after, don't get in the car and drive home!

The most dangerous thing other then the weather, is recognizing altitude sickness, only you can control when to fight through it, or call it quits and be safe. I don't take any medication and have been able to push through, never been physically sick, just extremely lightheaded. For me, past trail crest to the summit i feel like i'm hiking on the moon, very slow strides but steady.

It's great having a cold brew (or 6) after in Lone Pine looking up at your achievement.

Best of luck,
Lance

I day-tripped it early Oct. last year, slept at Lone Pine Lake to acclimate, then spent the next day in Lone Pine, went to sleep at the hotel about 7pm, got up and drove to trailhead at 4am. Actually hit the dirt at 4:30 and summmited sometime around 11am, about 12 hrs. total.
I'm 49, in decent shape I guess, had no problems with altitude, but one thing that doesn't get mentioned much is the area just above the cables was scary to me, with the drop-offs. Once past trail crest I didn't have the fear, and it just took a lot of concentration to keep trudging along. Purse-lipped breathing seemed to help.
I had bought some diamox, but didn't take any. Some people say aspirin works as well, but I don't know anything about that.
Good luck. Remember that the turtle wins the race!