Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board July 1 one day main trail trip

Can anyone give me a whats up on conditions above trail camp? I'm taking 7 people up and only two have been up before. My wife has a real "thing" about crossing ice of any kind. We will not be taking crampons or ice axes because most people in the group aren't familiar with use. Any recent pics would really help us plan our trip. Thanks

BobR posted a trip reports on July 23rd and July 18th

If you already know you wont be bringing crampons and axes, don't worry about it. Just go and have a good time. Go as far as conditions permit.

Sunday crossing of Trail Crest


other photos

Gonna give it a try 5 July. By the looks of Tomcat's pic, it won't be in shorts with a 8 pound fanny pack. Maybe I can go light on my 2nd or 3rd trips this year......................DUG

So, I was gonna try for a Whiteny Double this weekend (It's been a year since I did a probe last summer.), but the pain I experienced on a super-easy hike last night let me know my legs haven't recovered yet from Baldy 4x. One extra week might do if you're looking for company. And serious...

BTW, great photos Tom. Thanks.

The conditions should improve greatly over the next couple of days. Summer time temperatures take over starting on Saturday with temps near or above 100 degrees in Lone Pine. Clear Skies are predicted as well. This will continue until middle to late next week. Great weather for a nice little stroll up the mountain. I'll be getting out the shorts and the little fanny pack. You can find me on the main trail Mon.-Wed. See you out there. Enjoy it "y'all", because I will.

I think I'll go with my bigger daypack and have everything that I might need. Later in the season when I already have my yearly summit bagged I can run a lot lighter. I just like to get the check in the block before I start going up with just the basics..............................................DUG

thanks all for the advice and pics. Should be a beautiful week on the mountain. have fun and be safe.

We have a large group of first timers going up on July 10th. I think we are all clear on the need for layered clothing and hydration. Most of us have Vasque or Merrell sneaker type hiking shoes, some Gortex, some not. Any reason to think these are inadequate for this time of year? Also, how many energy bars, shot blocks and/or sandwiches do you go through during a day like this. We all climbed Half Dome last summer and we were all ok with that, but I'm not sure how much different the extra miles and elevation make this climb.

Gore-Tex...Boar-Tex..if you fall in the creek Gore-Tex is useless. Gore-Tex has a shelf-life, too. Be sure to bring extra socks.

I am not much of an eater on the ascent. Just something about me and food that makes me sleepy . I figure with all the adipose and subcutaneous lipid storage facilities in my body...

I drink a whole quart of Gatorade before I start my hike. Maybe that is why I don't eat.

I will nibble on a pre-sliced Payday or a mini-snickers. Everyone has their special food.

I tried a shot block once. My wife had some and shared with me. Gave me a "rush." I believe it was one of those saturated with caffeine.

Food tastes a helluva lot different at 14k than at 1k! Caveat: Don't take food you never had before. If you do training hikes in high altitudes (like HD), eat the foods you will eat on your big day. That way you will know how your body will handle digestion. You don't want to go through your day's supply of WAG bags!

Hope this helps.

Have fun.

Thanks for the information

Excellent suggestions! Also, if you're one of those poeople that doesn't like a lot of salt, make special note of the amount of sodium in the food. Some of those prepackaged meals have a whole days worth (or more) in one meal.

I personally start with "plainer food" early in my trip. Then, the more days into it and/or the higher you go, the sweeter it gets. (Due to changing taste at altitude) For example: a tropical trail mix or pop tarts. You just have to try different things and find out what works best for you.

Anthony

Oh, and one more thing...

I have found through experimentation and being of the "Asian Persuasion" that those seaweed-wrapped rice crackers are excellent trail food as well.

I just hold them in my mouth to soften and then gulp some water down after chewing.

To me, they even taste good at 14k!

Have fun.