Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Agassiz from Bishop pass question

Taking my son on his first overnight backpacking trip and thought I would see how far up Mt. Agassiz we can make it.

Looking for input on where to set up camp, as I have only been up Bishop pass once before. I will be carrying most of the gear and don't want to lug it over the pass if I don't have to. Was thinking that i could find some place to pitch a tent near long lake or maybe further up like Bishop Lake. Anyone have any thoughts? Suggestions?

Nice places to camp off trail at the top of the pass. I climbed Agassiz a few years ago from the pass area and it was nice to walk out of the tent in the morning and immediately go up the mountain instead of hiking up the pass then up the mountain.

Ken,
Bishop Lake is a good spot and would give your son an overnight at a little lower elevation rather than popping up higher on a first night. Might give you a chance to see how he does with that. Pluses include water there, warmer at night, and you don't have to drag your gear up the pass.
Scott

thanks for the input.

My son experienced quite a few first on this trip!

We hiked from South Lake TH and camped the first night at Long lake @ 10,880'. A new highpoint for Adam and with no altitude issues. This was Adams first overnight trip staying in a tent and he got to experience his first thunder storm...ever, in a tent no less! The next day we hiked up to Bishop lake which is @ 11,350'. This ened up being our summit for this trip as a severe case of home sickness set in. We headed back to camp, packed up and went home a day early.