I summited Mt. Whitney for the 15th time last weekend and have often relied on the good people of this board for trail reports. So I would like to post my inaugural report as a way to pay forward this assistance as people look to summit this summer.
First, let me give you some context on who (me) this report is coming from. I am a hiker in good shape - parking lot to top in less than four hours is my personal record (last Friday was 5h8m - sad face). I am NOT a technical climber, or at least a very amateur one at best. So take what I am about to tell you with whatever grain of salt you choose!
Punchline: if you are an average hiker/first-timer, skip 2017. Not your year. Mountain will be there in 2018 and beyond. Conditions, namely the trail inundation by snow AND the very rapid melt that will continue thru the summer, make Whitney a technical climb more than an extended hike. For the normal hiking approach, it is MUCH MORE difficult than usual, if not borderline dangerous for people with limited technical skills.
Issues: - You are going to get wet (up to your knees) multiple times wading thru streams. From the log crossing onward (one log gone, other inverted so effectively gone). This means wet feet/socks for the majority of the hike - no bueno. - Trail disappears very soon into the hike, so you will be hiking on snow for the vast majority of your time on the mountain; microspikes and hiking poles will work best - Going up the chute with microspikes/crampons and hiking poles/ice axe is very strenuous, *much more so* than the switchbacks. Snow melt leaves little to follow in terms of footprint trail so you will be trailblazing. - Coming down the same chute is tricky - glissading isn't a fun toboggan run; it requires skill to properly self-arrest otherwise you risk becoming a snowball going down a black diamond slope. In my amateurish approach, I didn't use gloves and my hands became a bloody mess, likely permanent scarring.
I hope this feedback is helpful - not trying to fear-monger or dissuade folks from what is a true national treasure. If you have specific questions, please email me at sturampage@gmail.com.
