Tannika,
If I can't find the permit spots, Steve is right, you will surely see others on Whitney, and the trail is well maintained by sheer number of feet that use it.
ERack,
No one climbing Whitney will have a permit. They may have a reservation, but unless the office opens there is nobody to issue the permit. If recreation.gov is working you can make a reservation, but will still not be able to pick up your permit. Time to consider an act of civil disobedience?
Good luck!
