My question is if we did come out on a whim in hopes for cancelled spots when is the earliest I could get permits? Is it the day of the overnight? Because we planned on starting the hike to outpost camp by the switchbacks shortly after sunrise so we could set camp and relax before the next day early morning summit. I think I read somewhere the permits are not released until 11am the day of the overnight permit? Which would make my plan not possible and would have to make the hike to outpost camp after noon by the time we got the permits and to the portal. ugh this is so frustrating! need some help with alternate plans if not enough slots open before May 1st or shortly after. which I assume they will not.
Hi Amie,
My guess is that you will be successful on May 1st. There are many cancellations, and often the group sizes shrink, which also frees up slots (Your group may shrink also, so you may not need a 5 person permit). Try to pick a midweek date if you can.
If the May 1st attempt fails, it is likely not a problem. Since you are coming from so far away, I'm guessing that you plan a several day trip. Is this correct? If so, you likely have the luxury of hiking during the week (not the week-end). If this is also correct, your odds of getting a permit for 5 are very high, and if you have the flexibility of one or two different entry dates (Tuesday/Wed., or Wed./Thurs for instance) the odds are truly close to 1 (a sure thing). Look at the 2014 unused permits:
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/39655/Unused_Whitney_Permits_2014#Post39655When would you like to do the hike? As you will see midweek there are many dates when 20 or more permits went unused.
A noon start is fine. I think you mean "Trail Camp" (near the start of the switch backs), and it is normally less than 5 hours from the trail head, so easily reached during daylight (sunset is likely after 7 PM). Outpost camp is closer to the trail head, so even easier to reach with time to spare.
As the British said in 1939: "Keep Calm and Carry On"
