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#104620 - 10/14/21 09:02 AM
Whitney Trail Conditions
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Member
Registered: 10/14/21
Posts: 5
Loc: CA
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Hello everyone,
In 2019 we summited in the middle of October but back then the weather was very favorable and there was no ice except for a small stretch at the very top.
We have a day permit for Oct 30th, 2021. It appears the conditions are changing quite fast since Oct 10th, snow and cold. Current weather predictions call for snow on Oct 25th as well.
We are not experienced climbers so very likely we will turn back at some point. Any suggestions/options on how far we can expect to hike? Thanks
Best, Arjun
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#104626 - 10/17/21 10:23 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 10/13/21
Posts: 2
Loc: CA
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Here is my report from 10/14-10/16:
I went up from LA on Thursday, 10/14. I slept in the walk-in campground at the Portal. There is minimal snow on the ground here and there in the Portal, and the pond is frozen. There was one other hiker with me in the camping area. A few people in the overflow lot slept in their trucks/SUVs.
I was up at 3 am and on the trail shortly afterward. I hit Outpost around 6:30, dropped my big pack off, and continued with my day pack. Summitted and returned to Outpost in the dark. I headed out around 6 am on Saturday.
Thursday was cold. Friday it warmed up, and Saturday it seemed like it was getting warmer (although I was heading down).
There is snow and light ice here and there after 9k ft., but it is mostly avoidable until the switchbacks (mainly starting at #25 or so). On the switchbacks, I went without microspikes on the way up, but used them on the way down since I was moving at a faster pace. I saw some using them, and others not. I did not need them after the switchbacks. When I went up much of the snow wasn't icing up, but all the ingredients are there for ice soon. I did run into one person who slipped and hurt their knee.
The lake at trail camp is mostly frozen, but if you loop around to the point where it flows into Lone Pine creek there is thinner ice you can break. There's plenty of water at Outpost, although I did not see much that wasn't frozen by Trailside Meadow.
My sleeping gear included a 3 season ultralight tent, a microfiber synthetic 35-degree sleeping bag, and a Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Thermolite Liner. I also wore wool socks, Smartwool 150s on my legs and body, with a Patagonia sweater jacket, and a light puffer that I could take off and on as needed. I was cold, but I can be more sensitive to being cold and tend to have cold hands and feet, so take this for what it's worth.
This was my first time up. I made some mistakes but overall had a great time. Happy to respond to questions. I'll check-in for the next few hours.
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#104628 - 10/17/21 11:55 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Doug Sr]
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Member
Registered: 10/13/21
Posts: 2
Loc: CA
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Thanks Doug.
A few things I forgot:
I used an R2 foam pad and an R2.5 air pad on 10/14, and just the R2 foam pad on 10/15. I could feel that 10/15 wasn't as cold as 10/14, but I lost some of the heat I built up from the day and should have used both on 10/15.
I took crampons and an ax just beyond Trail Camp but stashed them there when I saw that I didn't need them and wanted to lighten the load up. I saw a few people do this.
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#104631 - 10/18/21 11:18 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 10/16/21
Posts: 9
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Mountain-forecast is predicting ~75 inches of snow on Whitney on 24-25th. Is that normal?
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#104633 - 10/18/21 01:28 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: brophy]
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Member
Registered: 10/14/21
Posts: 5
Loc: CA
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As soon as I said I hope there is no major storm, mountain forecast comes up with a 75 inch prediction. Gulp.
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#104635 - 10/18/21 02:21 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 10/16/21
Posts: 9
Loc: San Diego, CA
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:D, ya jinxed yourself. There's going to be 60mph gusting winds, I'd poop my pants in those conditions. Hopefully the storm moves northwards. These long dated forecasts are hardly ever accurate, so there's still hope the forecast changes in the next week. Good luck on your travels sir.
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#104649 - 10/26/21 12:17 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 10/16/21
Posts: 9
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Any condition updates after the storm?
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#104650 - 10/26/21 12:41 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: brophy]
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Member
Registered: 10/14/21
Posts: 5
Loc: CA
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Here is an update (copy/paste) from - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mount-whitney-via-mount-whitney-trail"My permit was for the 25th, but due to the snowstorm. I didnt go. I tried to go up today, the 26th, got up to lone pine lake to test it out, lone pine has about a foot of snow. Im not ready for that assuming the higher I go the worst it gets. I didnt bring my spikes. Had to remind myself that “the mountain will always be there” will come back next year."
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#104661 - 11/14/21 08:46 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 10/16/21
Posts: 9
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Outpost Camp --> Trail Camp: - Occasional ice, 2-3 of consolidated snow - Mirror Lake partially frozen, still possible to get water Trail Camp --> Trail Crest: - Rarely ice - 1-2 feet of powder snow - Trail has been established - Specifically switchback #48 after the cables is extremely sketchy, there is a section where you must climb 10-20 feet vertically up the snow slope and it's very hard to get purchase with crampons or ice axe. Trail Crest --> Summit: - Varies between 1 foot of snow to just dirt - A couple spots where you are relying on a single foothold, on top of powder mind you. - Navigating and route finding near the needles is difficult and takes time, footsteps are not consistent and you will find yourself off trail occasionally, although fairly easily to reestablish Top: - 2 feet of snow - Path only has 2-3 inches compacted - No ice
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#104670 - 12/15/21 04:50 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Doug Sr]
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Member
Registered: 06/26/03
Posts: 5276
Loc: Ridgecrest, CA
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Enough snow to fill in the lower North Fork?
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