Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Photo of switchbacks & chute from Mt. Muir - 7/1

Here's a photo I shot at the top of Mt. Muir on the way to the summit last Friday. You can see that the vast majority of switchbacks are clear, but the cable section still looks awfully icy to me. The chute was a slushy mess by 7:00 that day. I strongly recommend that, for its remaining days, you time your ascent so you reach the chute well before then.

http://jdcowart.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Mt-Whitney-2011/17880879_TrjdbZ#1367879981_KnBsh66

Just for grins, here's a shot from atop Mt. Muir looking the other way, toward the Whitney summit.

http://jdcowart.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Mt-Whitney-2011/17880879_TrjdbZ#1367880019_CxTx4XK

JD, good shot of the switchbacks. You got swithbacks 46 through 97. You can see a map of all the switchbacks here.

Cool map, Wayne. Thanks. Based on your data, if you look below the cables on my photo, it looks like 23 through about 34 are clearly exposed as well. Everything between there and the cables, I guess, hides behind the rocks. You can also see the teens and low-20's appearing through the snow. They're definitely close, but down low and up at the very top still need some time. And I have no idea when that cable section will be passable comfortably for those less steady on their feet.

Here are you photos, JD. You need to right-click on the photo (in smugmug) and copy the link from there. The correct link will end with ".jpg".

JD, good eye! You did well.

A couple years ago, BobR captured all 97 switchbacks in the photo here. Look carefully, and you will notice I numbered the switchbacks. His stitched photo is the only one I've ever seen of all 97 switchbacks. Quite an accomplishment to have the right timing, right lighting and right view spot.