Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board EB ledges

How about more info on the EBL. Ive heard the exposure is unsettling to those of us who dont like heights. Also, how wide is the ledge and is the footing good? I am also interested to know the distance from the Portal to the summit via the MR.

There is exposure on the Ebersbacher ledges, but the worst of it is only for a short stretch, maybe 50 feet or so. If you hug the wall along the way, the exposure shouldn't bother you. The thinnest section of the ledge is 2-3 feet. The footing is generally good. It's flat granite with some loose dirt/gravel. If you plan on doing the ledges at night, be sure to have headlamps and be careful. And assuming you haven't been there before, I recoomend scoping out the ledges in the daylight first.

MR is a great route. I did it on 8/29 for the first time, and would love to do it again. Enjoy!

Rip Van Hiker,
The distance to the summit via the MR is not unanimously or offically agreed on. It has been commonly been held to be approximately 4 miles. There have been some previous posts on the topic that reference some books and un-official measurements. I think Doug Sr. has measured it with a survey wheel. It is also cited in "Richens" and i believe it is stated in the 'Mountain Lore' book. You might try this message boards' search feature to locate those other posts.

From the very bottom of the ledges, just up the wall from the waterfall, scramble up to the first tree, and then there is a short narrow stretch that takes you right next to the dropoff. I think many people take this path but it's possible to avoid it by moving up from the first tree, walking just a little forward, and then climbing up two or three feet higher and going around the back of some rock on the other side of the narrow path. Although it's a little cumbersome to step up to the path behind the rock with a full pack, it lessens the exposure and is more secure. I found that it's possible to pick out a path away from the dropoff the rest of the way up the canyon.

The exposure on the ledges is not any greater than on the handrail section of the main trail, imo. The ledges are more difficult due to a couple of high shelfs you will have to surmount.

Here's a link to a picture of my wife and I on one of the narrower parts of the ledges. Look at the third photo down from the top.

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~bbziger/mr1.htm

If you are too uncomfortable climbing on the ledges, it is possible to just go up the canyon through the bushes. It isn't much fun, but it avoids the exposure. If you do decide to take the ledges, just walk carefully and make sure you have solid footing on the exposed section. I find that it is harder on the way down than up.

The mileage up the MR isn't as important as the slope - you gain over 6000 vertical feet at high altitude in a distance of around 4 miles. That's an average slope of almost 30 degrees which tends to wear you down over several hours.

I've heard a lot of discussion about the EB ledges since I started frequenting this board a few weeks ago. Granted, they could be a problem if you get too far off route, but if you stay on the route, they are really pretty easy...even fun. There's a good photo series of the route at http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert634908/970354/guest.phtml, although the model leaves a bit to be desired... I find the ledges to be a lot like a sidewalk with a big drop down one side. The big drop would be bad, but I find that I rarely fall off the sidewalk when I'm walking down the street... :-)

I think Sierra Sam is right about the miles...Verticle elevation rise is more important then how far you walk...It isn't easier just because it is a shorter walk......The EB ledges are not really that bad..I first went up them when I was ten, with my father...I think he was more worried about me then I was... There are drop offs, but you don't have to walk right on the edge. You are usually at least 3-4 feet away from the edge, if you choose to be. Most of the time you are more then that. ,....Mountain Bob's route above the ledges keeps you further away from the edge...last time we went that way...it was nice.

Thanx for the info and the pix. I am less intimidated by the EBL but will definately opt for the route of least exposure. I realize that altitude and elevation gained is just as important as miles traveled. But having a mileage figure and figuring in the elevation gives me a better idea of the degree of incline. I am planning on going up the MR and returning via the main trail. Since it is best to get acclimated beforehand, my plan is to visit LBL the day prior to my hike.Thanx again RVH.

All other things being equal, how much fear is induced by the EB ledges versus the cables on half dome?

Yep...picture 48...that is Doug Sr. from the Whitney Portal Store. A super great guy. Runs the store and runs the board.