Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Backpacks on the Mountaineers Route

A group of us (4-6 persons) want to climb Whitney this August via the Mountaineers Route. The plan is to summit Whitney and come down on the west side at Guitar Lake for some hiking along the JMT to the Shepherd Pass trail, and then to climb Mt. Tyndall. This plan will require us to carry backpacks up the Mountaineers Route to the summit. Also, this is the first time any of us in the group have done the Mountaineers Route.

My question is how feasible is it to climb the Mountaineers Route while carrying backpacks? Obviously, the less weight in the pack the better. But the less intrepid in our group say the Mountaineers Route cannot be done while carrying a backpack. Yet I've seen just recently on this Board pictures of people descending that route while carrying backpacks.

Our group is of varied climbing capabilities -- some of are comfortable on Class 3 terrain (such as the East ridge route of Russell) while others prefer a nice trail. However, all of us in this group have climbed Mt. Williamson via the Williamson bowl route that includes the Class 3 cliff.

Thanks,
-Thomas

I have friends who have carried their backpacks up the Mountaineers Route to the summit, meaning from Iceberg Lake to the Summit.

From what I understand it is quite exhausting to do it and takes about 4 hours from Iceberg Lake to the summit. It would work better if is it an internal frame backpack. Above the notch it could be a little awkward climbing with a huge backpack sticking out on both sides.

I once carried a frame pack up the MR -- my first time, and in snow in June no less. We camped at Iceberg Lake, then spent night 2 on the summit, and hiked out on the main trail.

How about leaving the packs at Iceberg, head up the MR to the summit, then back down to Iceberg. You could then head over Whitney-Russell pass to Arctic Lake and down the drainage to Guitar from there. It's a bit more up and down and some bouldery cross-country, but it might take just as long as heading all the way up with full, heavy packs (since it's at the beginning of the trip) and then all the way down and around (traversing the Crest several times because of the LONG switchers below the JMT junction).

Maybe Bob, SteveC, or Kashcraft can comment on this route??

-L

I have personally carried my backpack from Iceberg Lake up the Mountaineers route over the top of Mt. Whitney. It is considerably harder then day hiking the same. We were about half way up the chute when some dayhikers started up. I think they caught up to us by the time we got to the top. Jessica is correct about the time....say 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 hours dayhiking that distance....and perhaps 4+ hours or so fully loaded.

So I certainly think it is possible. Use an internal frame pack for better balance and don't overdo it on the weight.

I actually like Moosetracks suggestion. That would be my choice. Dayhike Mt. Whitney and leave your gear at Iceberg Lake. Return to Iceberg Lake and then head over the Whitney Russell pass


http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1382960620061435028dQPYAP

and down the Artic basin to Guitar Lakes

http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.aspx?ID=52963

The Artic drainage would be easy to follow to Guitar Lakes and has multiple water stops along the way. Overall it is a shorter route and doesn't require you to carry your backpacks as high (the weight really starts weighing you down above 13000 feet). Getting your pack over the Whitney Russell pass would be a lot easier then hauling it all the way to the top of Mt. Whitney.

If I take "others prefer a nice trail" to mean they are not "comfortable on class 3 terrain (such as the East ridge route of Russell)," then there is concern. If a person is not comfortable on class 3 terrain, they shouldn't be on the Mountaineer's Route without a rope and a competent belayer--pack or no pack.

The Freedom of the Hills says "Class 3: Moderate exposure may be present; simple climbing or scrambling with frequent use of hands. A rope should be available."

On the other hand, if the others are fine on class 3 but just prefer trail hiking, that is a different story.

The point is, we don't know your friends. In asking how they would do on a route none of you have done before, we don't have a clue. And be aware that if you get off route on class 3, it turns into class 4 or 5. Add a heavy pack and...well, you get the picture.

We also don't know how heavy your packs are. I've carried a full pack up there several times, but mine is lighter than most. Last weekend my overnight pack was 12 lbs. Taking food for four more days would push it to 18 lbs, not a bad weight to carry up the Mountaineer's Route. But not many people go that light.

Laura's suggestion about the Arctic Lake route is a good one, and the route is as she describes it.

I just did it this past weekend with a 65lb pack on my back, so it's doable (Obviously I don't go anywhere without my anvil). Though I would say it really depends on each person's physical conditioning.

A reasonably fit person should have no problem with your typical 25-30lb pack.

The wuss that is saying backapcks can't be carried on MR, leave that guy home .... he is chickening out and will pee his pants when he sees the mountain ... let alone climb it .... take a big diaper for him ...

backpacks have been carried to Everest's summit so tell that weenie to put up or shut up ...

thanks,

Been there, done that. That is a great idea. I think all the group could do that. And if any did not feel comfortable on the MR, they could easily retreat to Iceberg Lake, and wait for the rest of the group's return.

The ambitious ones could even bag Russell (again) on the trip.

Whitney-Russell pass with a pack is not a big deal.

Hey, if you guys DO go over the pass as everyone is recommending, can you keep an eye out for my sister's lost pack? I will make it worth your while...

Here's the info if you do find it:

Thanks. Be safe and good luck!

Where have you been all my life??? The anvil would look great next to the engine block I'm usually carrying.

I'm in LP today, maybe I should make a quick side trip up the mountain to retrieve your sister's pack! (Don't I wish I had that kind of time!!)

-L

Hey, mock me all you want, but it never hurts to ask.

And you never know, somebody may actually retrieve the pack and get the reward.

LA Sooner: I hope you didn't really take any offense! Moosie is famous for her truckload sized packs.

We're all hoping someone will take the time to look for your pack. You never know -- it has happened before.

It's a green and gray Gregory Baltoro backpack. It sits GREAT on your shoulders. Probably weights 35lbs, though after the tumble it will most likely weigh less. Dump the water and it'll lose another 5-9lbs since she carries a 3liter Camelback.

The REI tent strapped to the top is a blue and yellow 2 man tent. She has a standard blue REI inflatable sleeping pad strapped to the bottom and green trekking poles strapped to the outside (though I'm SURE those came off in the fall).

Think you may be able to "swing by" and look?

Oh, I wasn't offended at all! I'm just trying to stay positive and hopeful. It will really suck if my sis has to go out and buy all of her gear again just before she leaves for Kilimanjaro. The trip itself is expensive enough...

And I was serious about heading up there if I had the time!

Dude...if you did, that would simply be amazing.

And I'm not kidding about the reward, either.

Not promising anything. I, sadly--because of my CLMRG experiences--know where "objects" that fall from above the notch end up. If I happen to swing by, and if I am successful, I will bring back neither your sister's water nor her wag bag. I will not accept a reward. But you can, if you are so motived, send a donation to www.chinalakemuseum.org or http://www.pbk.org.

If you do retrieve the bag, any of the bag (leave what you will with my complete understanding) I will gladly donate the reward, in your name, to the charity of your choice.

And my sister will be eternally grateful.

Here is a pic of her with the pack. I don't know if that will help you identify the pack or not. I wouldn't imagine there would be too many other completely full packs down at the bottom of that slide.I also forgot to mention that she had a pair of crampons clipped to the outside of the bag with carabiners in a yellow crampon bag.

Just to let everyone know, the pack was picked up and moved back to the top of the "Notch." It is no longer down in the Whitney/Russell drainage. The person who moved it had a full pack already and couldn't recover the whole thing, but he DID get her wallet.

Now I'm debating how to recover the rest of the gear and am considering a daytime sprint to the top tomorrow. Anyone (with a good fast pace) wanna accompany me? Or is anyone still interested in the reward we're offering to get the pack back down to the portal?