Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First timer questions?

Hello everybody,

We have 6 permits for Jul 27th. We have some experience in hiking 17-18miles (Mt Gorgonio, Grand Canyon, Baldy, San Jacinto), but nothing in more than ankle-high snow. We've got crampons and ice axe. Though we have never used them.

I think we can deal with the 22m round trip (we were thinking to start really early like 1am - if we decide to go).

We were also thinking to spend two nights in the campsite at the trail head to acclaim.

Given the snow condition, we are very indecisive on doing it at all.

Now my question is: is it safe for us to do this hike even though we have never hiked in snow with crampons on?

My other fear is to get lost. Is the path to the top clear?

Thanks,
Ben

By 7/27 this will a trail walk. The cabled area will have some snow and ice but it always has snow and/or ice. Forget about the crampons and axe.

There will be a clear path to the peak. Mt. Whitney fretting time is almost over.