Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Snow slope @ switchbacks

How steep is it?

Thanks

The area near the switchbacks may reach 40 degree slope or more and will tend to stay shaded longer in the day, so most people travel north'ly in the bowl and head for trailcrest at the lowest angle section , this follows the old trail and at times you can see part of it , also on this section most times a rock out cropping can be walked up avoiding much of the snow chute, This warm weather the next several days will turn conditions into wet ,postholing and freezing at night so slopes should be watched for changing conditions. Thanks Doug

Is the suggestion to use the snow slope instead of the switchback at this time of year?

Or is there BOTH a snow slope and switchbacks?

I'll be heading up in a couple of weeks and am checking here everyday for the latest info.

Also, any suggestions for the best route map, if there is even a need?

The snow slope is the way to go. The switchbacks are filled with snow, which is covered with a layer of ice, at an outsloped angle. Not impossible, but not fun nor easy to travel. The slope is the way to go until there is more meltout.

So, no, there is really only one way.

My opinion of the best route map is "Whitney Zone" by Tom Harrison maps. Many backpacking stores sell these, and I believe they are available at the Whitney Store. If you are very familiar with the terrain of this trail (read: you've hiked the mountain), you could skip a topo map.

http://www.tomharrisonmaps.com/locationmap.html

Thanks. I'll keep checking the site until the day I leave. Though, I'll plan on bringing crampons and an axe in case the snow slope is still the route to take.

Is the route obvious from the base of the switchbacks or are the any pics online where someone has outlined the route?

I have not hiked Whitney before. This will be my first, though I have been above 12,000' and have traveled over glacier and up chutes.

To get the chute, you have traverse some of the Switchbacks. It is obvious where you have to head once you exit the Switchbacks for the slope.

If there has been some traffic, there will be glissade tracks down from Trail Crest.

Pictures from Mid-May 2007
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559049009idbmct?start=0