I’m hoping to snag a next day overnight permit for when it works with my schedule.
Given the limited planning window and that I live in Sacramento, my idea was to drive to somewhere high in the Eastern Sierras right after work and sleep there the night before. I was thinking about the Cottonwood Lakes/Horseshoe Meadows area. Would I be hassled if I slept in my car up there?
I’d get my overnight permit the following day and I’d sleep at Outpost camp. I’d head for the summit the following morning. I’m thinking, acclimatization wise, I’d do better sleeping at 10k’ and having a longer (but not that long by my standards) summit day versus sleeping at 12k’ and having an easier summit day with the risk of altitude issues...
Does Outpost camp usually get crowded compared to the higher camp? How’s camping there, it seems most just push on to the higher camp? I’d bring ear plugs.
As for the marmots/rodents, I’d leave my tent open but, if I put my sleeping bag in a stuff sack are, they destructive enough to tear into it? Should I just leave everything out? I didn’t want to risk animals soiling/dirtying the sleeping bag if I left it laying out (it’s harder to wash than the tent).
Would leaving Outpost camp for the summit around 4am be sufficient?
