I want to thank everyone who posted here--without your information, I don't think we could have made it. You have provided more and if not better information than the rangers! I want to give back by posting our experience.
We did a two day hike. Day one we started at 8am, reached Consultation Lake Camp by 3pm. We took many breaks due to the high heat (I would def go earlier to avoid the heat), the sun was blazing! We spotted a lovely deer strolling on the trail, too, and she was standing super close to us. There were several water crossings.
We had to change to trail runners for two of them--I'm 5'2" and the first big water crossing was up to my knees, due to the snow melt from the heat. The next big water crossing was to my mid calf. the mosquitoes were hungry!! Be very careful and use bug spray! I am still recovering from them, they bit me through my long sleeve shirt and long pants. on the way up, we talked to many hikers who were coming down the trail. About 70% of them turned around at the chute and about 30% made to the top. Out of the 30% who made it, most of them used the chute. There was a group of men who used the switchbacks and they seemed very happy.
Once reached camp, my fiance and I practiced self arrest and glissading at the snow patches. At night, the sky was very cloudy, but the camp site was gorgeous. We camped by the water and there was one lonely frog who sang so loudly the entire night. Sadly we couldn't see the stars due to the clouds. It rained a lot during the night and the strong wind shook our tent violently. We were worried about the next day's climb.
Woke up at 4 am to check weather again, the sky was clearing up so we decided to go. a group of 6 of us, we all had ice axes and crampons, left camp at 4:45am. Once we were on the trail, we decided to take the chute up. None of us were experienced with ice axes nor crampons. Needless to say, we were all very cautious and careful. I made sure that I kicked each step at least twice with my crampons and really jammed my ice axe in the snow before taking each step. Toward the end, it gets very very steep, do not look down! Take your time! there were 6 people next to our group that were only on their micro-spikes and hiking sticks, and they made the chute; I was amazed by them. From what I saw, the switchbacks were covered by snow but the mid and upper part were snow free. There was a group of 6 girls took the switchbacks up and down and they did just fine.
Once the chute was over, I got a hiker's high! I was going fast toward the summit. But oh boy, that was the longest 2 miles in my life! but the view was breathtaking. I wish my camera did its justice. Some of our team members started to feel the altitude so they slowed down, which was very smart of them--I saw a guy suffering from major altitude sickness at the top Going slowly and take your time in high altitude is key. We only spent 5 minutes at the summit because the clouds were rolling in. Soon, it started to snow, so we started to descend. We got lost at first when descending, so we spent quite some time scrambling on rocks and traversing (Thanks, Olancha peak for the training). Finally we got on the main trail and reached back at the Trail Crest.
Glissading scared the air out of me at first, because I have never done it. The girl went before us cried and was yelling due to being scared and that made me want to take the switchbacks instead. But eventually I made myself do it. There was a 6 or 7 feet drop before the chute starts so grab on your ice axe when jumping if you are short like me. Once started I went really really slowly. I really dug my ice axe in! There was two rocks on the way, make sure you stop yourself and go to their right. Although super slowly, I did glissade all the way to the bottom. I was freezing because so much snow got into my shirt and pants, and my body was shaking. There was no sun so it was very cold, as well. We hurried back to the tent and it took me a while to warm back up. Almost at 4pm, we started descending, no shoe changing this time and finally reached our car by 7:45pm.
That was definitely one rewarding hike! We have done many hikes in the sierras but none was like Mt Whitney that left me feeling so grateful. Hope this post can help a little bit.
Going slowly and take your time in high altitude is key. We only spent 5 minutes at the summit because the clouds were rolling in. Soon, it started to snow, so we started to descend. We got lost at first when descending, so we spent quite some time scrambling on rocks and traversing (Thanks, Olancha peak for the training). Finally we got on the main trail and reached back at the Trail Crest. 
