Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Helmets on the Mountaineer's Route

Need some advice please...

I recently went to the A16 Seminar and found out that helmets are recommended on the MR. A couple friends and I are bringing 3 novice level hikers up there in July and we are all wondering how recommended they really are...meaning, none of these guys have much gear and aren't stoked about spending the extra money for a one time use helmet. Of course, no one wants a rock to the dome to bum out our trip either.

I live in San Diego and A16 and REI don't have helmets on their rental lists.

What are your thoughts on helmets on the MR?

Are there places in Lone Pine to rent them?

Read this post. It will be a good place to start

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/...=true#Post35891

It also has a link to a previous discussion of the subject, under Bob R. #7

Perfect, thank you.

Last question, does anyone know if we could rent helmets in Lone Pine anywhere?

I do not know the answer to your question regarding rental helmets in lone pine, but if you want something low cost to just use once in a while, all sport type helmets are avaliable at big5 sporting goods for $10-15 dollars on sale.

Try:
http://www.sierraelevation.com/

Anybody care to chime in on the use of a bicycle helmet in place of an "official" climbers helmet..? Useless...?

I've got one and not the other. Guess which....

-PRelHacko

There are two types of injuries that can occur during climbing ... a falling object hitting your head or your head hitting an object during a fall. Generally sport helmets (e.g. bicycle helmets) project when your head hits a solid object. It is good at absorbing a large blunt impact. However, on the MR, the main danger is something hitting your head ... falling rocks, falling ice, or dropped equipment off the East Buttress. This type of force requires a rigid hard shell with space between the shell and your head. This type of protection is not provided by the foam bicycle and sport helmets, or even most foam style rock climbing helmets. The Petzl Ecrin is a good example of a good mountaineering style helmet that would be recommended for use on the MR. It is the helmet that I use and what SMI will rent to clients for use.

But, all this said, it's probably better to have any kind of helmet versus no helmet.

I did find this interesting discussion:
Can I use a -whatever- helmet as a climbing helmet?

One contributor pretty much answers the question: Not according to the CEN and UIAA.

One of the biggest things you'll worry about will be falling rocks. The bike helmet will have vents, hence a potentially fatal opening, and the external shell is not rigid, which is reason #2 not to use.

I've looked into this, since I'm planning on going to Shasta, where helmets are also recommended. Helmets can be rented, usually for $10 for a few days, but I'm kind of OCD about wearing used headgear. The least expensive helmet I've found is the "LM Crag hat" helmet for less than $50.

LM Crag hat

Does anyone have stats on how many people have been struck on the head on the MR (with or without a helmet)? Was wondering if this is documented anywhere.

Thanks,
MC

If you're looking for a good helmet at a reasonable price, keep in eye on Spadeout, as they often have helmets for less than $50. Here's a link: http://www.spadout.com/store.php?cat_id=47&cat_view=1&st_sort=pricelh

Last year I was part of a group hike doing the MR in April. I was at the end of the line and watched enough small rocks coming down off the Buttress Route area to require avoidance measure. I do not think anyone was climbing the route and caused the fall - I think it was just timing. Most of the rocks peppered around me but one required a side-step manouver to avoid. While it is a choice whether or not to wear helmet - I would always recommend to someone I didn't know to wear one.

What about someone you know?

i'm a hiker, not a climber. so i don't own a helmet.

but i did ride motorcycles for a number of years. and i always wore a full-face helmet. saved me once.

i guess it's a matter of how much you think your head is worth.

and as harry said: "are you feelin' lucky?"

I've had to assist enough people out of bed the morning after an accident/head injury to have no issues with wearing a helmet for any climb where rockfall is a potential issue. I would think that helmets would be primarily needed in the chute and on the Final 400, but I could see how the E-Ledges would be another area where this could be a problem.

But more importantly, does anyone else have concerns about the statement above? Are the 'novices' planning on trying out some scrambling/exposure/learn some of the basics prior to attempting the MR? I mean, I've learned by doing, but the MR was not my first challenge by far. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just having only that little bit of basic information worries me a bit.

-L

It may be foolish to take novices, but I think you might be surprised how many do just that.

My first ascent of the MR was in conditions similar to those now, and I went with a group of 5. Two had no prior crampon / ice axe experience.

But that was ten years ago, before I saw all these warnings.

Does this count as a protective device or a helmet?

http://flickr.com/photos/moosepics621/2446285042/in/set-72157604755604960/


Opps, I found the helmet shot..

http://flickr.com/photos/moosepics621/2445408201/in/set-72157604755604960/

I agree with Laura. My biggest concern is that he is taking novices up the MR.That is way crazier IMO than deciding whether to wear a helmit or not. If you have to even ask that question it makes me worry if you should be leading novices up a very exposed high altitude route.

I've been known to try the double-duty safety device of helmet and antlers (from the MR last May):



Steve, it doesn't surprise me at all. I saw enough novices (including myself) headed up that direction -- and on the main trail -- last year to rattle me a bit. One guy in particular was lugging himself and a huge pack on the boulders just over LBSL, in obvious distress, and his friends were already half way up the slope. It seemed like he was making the quintessential beginner's error: not communicating how he was feeling and obviously having problems.

So what I am asking is: define 'novice'? Are they experienced trail hikers with some sense of the work involved, but haven't done cross-country/nav or scrambling? Are they like the other guy from Arkansas who has driven to altitude but not hiked it? Do they know how they do at altitude? Are they climbers of any sort, and new to hiking? Again, I'm a big proponent of 'learn by doing', as it has pretty well defined my own growth and progress of this insanity! And what message would you be sending if you were attempting to teach someone these important skills, but you downplayed the safety equipment and aspects? Perhaps the guy leading the trip has some friends that might be willing to loan helmets (kind of like me asking to borrow ice tools if I were to go ice climbing again) to supply the beginners.

Lots of questions, no definitive answers. Again, to sethly, you might check around to some other stores about rentals. Otherwise, I've heard rumor that REI has a fairly liberal return policy...

Hi sethly

I was in the sporting goods industry for years. Most of the retail stores like Sport Chalet and REI do not rent helmets but a few of the rock climbing walls and gyms do. Check out this link. I called the 3rd one down, Rock City Climbing Center in Anaheim Hills (spoke to Matt). They would rent you a climbing helmet for $8.00 a day. You also have to give a credit card no. or $25.00 refundable deposit. After I called, I noted you lived in SD (my hometown). The three in SD don't rent but you might find something on the list that would work for you.

Best,
MC

Thanks for this Tom. I am looking to do the MR and had planned on wearing a helmet. Your report above just cemented it for me.