So I'm a little confused. With the new system in place where everything is done online and no more last minute no-show permits issued at the ranger station, does that mean that the no-shows get unused, and only those who cancel online go back into inventory?
What I've been told from friends who have gone to get walkup permits this year is that no day of walkups are available other then 4 for the mountaineering route due to the new system not providing not updates in time as to how many permits have been picked up.
For reference, here is a picture of the message at the Eastern Sierra Inter-Agency Visitor Center reservation desk.
I was able to get a free walk-in permit for Shepherd Pass. The people who were looking to get a permit for Mt Whitney (not sure if only main trail or North Fork to Mountaineers' Route too) were asked to line up (I think in a separate line) and they would be seen in a first come, first served basis. I think this was for available next-day permits, but not 100% sure. They really want you to use the online reservation system and have a permit pre-reserved. Obviously, that is not practical for many people who did not get one via the lottery and live far away.
Note the part about picking a ticket by the door. That is new, I think.
