Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Forester Pass problem - trip report

A friend returned yesterday from an early-season attempt at a long section hike along the JMT-PMT Northbound. He hiked from Kennedy Meadow (several days south of the trail) hoping to go past Tuolumne Meadows as far as Lake Tahoe. He didn't make it past Forester Pass but he did bag Whitney from the back side.

Here's what I know about conditions, based on a second-hand report from his sister:

"He couldn't continue up Forester Pass (13,200 ft - he got up to 12,900 when he hit a snow and ice wall that would have required crampons and an ice axe) that he decided to at least get a Mt. Whitney summit out of the trek (14,496 ft.). He arrived at the top of the summit at sunset and had a clear 360 degree view of all that surrounds the peak. He returned to his pack and camped. Heading down the eastern slope (which people can do as a 2 day hike), he finally saw his first fellow humans in a week."

Anyone have any opinions on the earliest time it is practical to attempt Forester, Muir, etc. this year? I see that Virginnia Lakes Ridge (the SnoTel site closest to the JMT) at 9200 ft. has only 4 inches of snow.

http://www.wunderground.com/StateSnowDepth.asp?state=CA

John, it is fairly predictably too early to be climbing the passes, without technical gear. On the postholer site, he keeps a "recommendation" about when it is ok to head north on the PCT from Kennedy Meadows, to be able to get through the snow non-technically. I believe he has the indicator set for June 10, in this low snow year. On average, it is June 15. Farther north passes are not really an issue, once past forester. Technical gear may extend the travel time, but is not required, if you know how to travel on snow.

http://postholer.com/postholer/

There will be a "herd" of people who will be creating a path through the snow on the passes, once they reach the area, which should start this year around June 15-20.

Also, the alternative routes to Forester are Ski Mountaineer's Pass, or Junction Pass....both of which probably require technical gear, as well, but don't carry a cornice.

I ran into a couple of PCT hikers as they were getting close to Rock Creek Saturday. They said there were a number of thru-hikers behind them coming north from Kennedy Meadows. One of the guys was covering 30 miles a day, so he was planning on heading over Forester Pass before long. Then he was going out at Kearsarge to resupply. Both guys (they weren't traveling together but knew about each other) were carrying axe/crampons. The 30 mile per day guy did it last year at this same time, so he knew pretty much what to expect.

They told me about your friend - they said there was one guy ahead of them but he went out at Whitney.

I just went thru that area, 05.09-16.2009. I started in Whitney Portal and ended in Onion valley trail head due to lack of skin on my heels. I had fantastic weather. Many bridges are nearing collaps...beware. Forester pass is daunting...pending on your own personal level of risk. Mine is high but believe me not stupid. The snow slope leading up to the switch backs is steep. the switch backs still have snow in spots but passable. At the crossing of the gully to get to the other side, there is fresh rock fall covering the path. Once on the other side you will see the path lead into an eight foot snow wall. The snow wall is part of the corness hanging over the gully. Climb left to top out and avoid the snow wall. Be very careful in this area at all times. I camped below forester pass (Ice box of the Sierra's) and started the ascent of the pass at 4:30a.

Hey Wing are the guy I talked to on the slope leading to trail pass?

I was only in on the 15th & 16th. I did a out and back trip from Horseshoe Meadows to Rock Creek with a side trip up to Cirque Peak, so I was only on the PCT between Cottonwood Pass and Rock Creek. I was tired when I came out after doing only 25 mile trip over 2 days, so I think it's pretty amazing, and really great, how many miles you and the rest of the thru-hikers cover each day.