Great report. I am going up to Whitney July 6,7,8. We have an overnight permit for 6th and 7th. I am thinking we may want to go up a day early and acclimate before the real deal. I have done the trip 3x before without acclimating...just straight to Trail Camp on day 1 then the summit...I was about 20+ yrs younger then and I found that being in good cardio shape seemed to help on the AMS.
I plan on renting crampons and ice axes in Lone Pine at Lone Pine Sporting Goods. Called them today and they had both available but the guy told me to check back on Sunday before we arrive to see what he has.
I have never gone up the chute but will probably give that a try this trip. As for coming down, I have heard various cautions on glissading. Some say don't even try while others say no problem, just be careful. I definitely don't want to become a statistic.
Food & varmints: I was actually robbed of some food on a previous trip by a marmot. This was pre-bear cannister days. On that trip, I was lucky enough to get the camp spot under the giant boulder. On this trip, if I store the cannister outside the tent and zip the packs in the tent, do you think that will suffice? (no food in the packs of course). I really don't want those buggers chewing up my pack or tent.
