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Hiker Dies on Mount Whitney After Falling Off Cliff in Winter Conditions


My hiking partner and I summitted Monday 10/27. I believe we were the only day hikers to summit on Monday. We monitored this site, Youtube comments on John's videos, Mountain-Forecast, and AllTrails trail condition posts to get an idea of how to prepare. This was my first time hiking Whitney and first time in what could be considered mountaineering conditions. Based on upcoming forecasts it does appear to be on the warmer side and pretty good conditions at least the next week. But things of course can change. I wanted to post this as we encountered several people who asked whether they needed spikes, conditions, how snowy it was and whatnot.

1. Microspikes are essential equipment. We brought microspikes for snow, and nanospikes for ice. 75% of the trail is snow covered. The other 15% has ice (from Outpost Camp to Trail Camp more or less), and the first1-2 miles was clear. For our summit, I don't think full-blown mountaineering crampons were necessary. There was a decent boot path established but this can change with the snow drift. Microspikes seemed fine. We came across a through hiking couple coming down the switchbacks in snow shoes. Snow shoes appeared to be very difficult to contend with and I would strongly advise against.
2. Trekking poles or ice axe - for our duo I carried poles and my parter carried an ice axe - I think both had their advantages. The poles were great for stability and testing for the boot path on the switchbacks and the western side. Axe was great for stability and leverage.
3. When layering, consider waterproof boots, and some sort of weatherproof or Alpine pant. My partner wore just a weatherproof base layer for the ascent.

The snow appeared to soften up as the day progressed. On our ascent, the snow was harder and easier to traverse. On the way back down, it was basically powder on the switchbacks.