Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trail Camp to Summit

I have gotten the impression that those hikers who stay on Whitney overnight at Trail camp and then summit the next day, summit without packs or carry a lighter pack. I was wondering if it a good idea to leave the tent and and other camp items at Trail Camp on the morning we summit. I would think that water, lunch, and rain/wind gear, and a first aid kit would be all that is needed during the summer. I can't think of much downside to this idea. I would like to hear some thoughts, and get some advice from others on this.

We plan on trying to get to the top by noon and then hiking back to Outpost camp for our second night on Whitney.

Sounds like a good plan to me. Don't leave anything in your tent that would tempt a marmot to chew through it.

That is exactly what we did when my son and I hiked Whitney back in 2001. All food and smellables (toothpaste, etc.) were in the bear (marmot) canister. We carried food, water, rain gear and emergency supplies in day packs on our summit day.

Nobody (two-footed or four-footed) bothered anything at Trail Camp.

The key is to keep the mini-bears out of stuff. Real bears aren't likely to be that high but the marmots will make a mess of stuff if they smell anything yummy. They'll gnaw through a pack or a tent if they think something edible is inside.

One other suggestion...don't leave anything light enough to blow away unsecured. When the breeze comes up with the afternoon t-storms, you may have to search far and wide to find stuff that has blown away.

Everything Alan said and make sure your tent is weighted down and staked out properly. The wind can get going in a big way at both the trail camps. You do not want to come back and say, "Hey dude, where's my tent?".

I would say that what you propose is "standard operating procedure", and is done by virtually everyone.

Hey Dude you're wearing my jacket!!!!

I once ran up behind my house (Crowley Lake) and set up a tent and left my jacket, water filter and various misc items along with 6 6 packs of beer for my friends who were showing up at my house the next morning. So after what I thought was secured, i blazed down so I could meet them for the walk in from Rock Creek. That night the winds roared!!! I didnt think much about it until we approached the area and I see this fisherman wearing my jacket. Im like "hey dude thats my jacket" then I scope across the lake and my tent is GONE! Those winds scraped it and blew it along with everything else into the lake....with the exception of the brewskis...I carefully hid them in a creek and they were ice cold to enjoy my sorrows!

Eatyoursoup

That's what I did too. You should leave as early as you can to avoid the heat of the sun or any thunderstorms. You should be able to get back early enough to pack up and hike out the same day in time for a burger at the WPS if you like.

Charlie:

Last year, I spent the night at Trail Camp. The next day, I left my tent up, with most of my gear inside. Just took what was needed for the 10-mile trip to the summit, and back to Trail Camp, where I stayed a second night. Everything was as I left it.

As suggested, make sure that your tent is secured, and everything is inside, except food. At 12,000 feet, and above the timberline, Trail Camp can get quite windy at times. You would hate to come back down from a successful summit to find your tent blown away.

God luck with your hike. I will be day-hiking Whitney on July 30th.

Whitney Mike

Charlie,
I have left my tent at Trail Camp twice for summit day and had no problems. Advice above is critical regarding scented things. The ranger at Trail Camp last year also suggested leaving the tent zip open slightly so the varmits can get in and check it out...rather than eat a hole in the side of your tent--only to find there's nothing inside. Apparently they're bored or have just gotten lucky too many times.

Have fun!

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