Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2012 (Out-of-Date)

From Alex K's post above:

Walter Runkle posted a link to his pictures on the wpsmb board.   Mt. Whitney Day Hike (hiked on May 5, 2012)

Here is his picture of the cables area:


And a picture of the switchbacks:


This is currently the route used instead of the switchbacks -- the slope (sometimes called the chute) just west of the switchbacks. People climb straight up, and ONLY if snow is soft, sit and glissade, on the way down. This area ICES UP in the late afternoon when the mountain shades the snow and temps drop, so beware! Most hikers use crampons and ice axe to climb, and REMOVE the crampons to glissade, using the ice axe as a brake.


Weather and temperatures over the next few weeks will determine how quickly the snow melts.