I tend to prefer areas that I've been before and am familiar with on the new moon. You're right, wbtravis, the stars are a better viewing experience than the moon on most nights.
I will say I was a little neverous...not quite to pucker, going from Lower Trail Crest to the summit the first new moon trip. That was trip #4 over this terrain but my partner had none of those feeling and it was his first time up to Whitney.
Two years ago, my usual partner in crime told me to lower my just re-batteried headlight down as we started towards the summit from Lower Trail Crest.
I still do both but my preference is for new moon hikes/backpacks.
