Hello all,
I just joined this forum to ask the following question: how feasible would a solo Mt. Whitney summit hike be between 12/7/19 and 12/15/19? How risky would such a venture be? I know this is heavily dependent on experience and weather, but please try to explain the various scenarios one would face on such a solo trip.
Short background: just got back from 2.5 weeks in PNW and NorCal, had a blast, hiked Lassen Peak (I realize Lassen and Whitney are totally different animals), got the itch, went to Sequoia, saw Whitney, and now I wanna climb it. Have a trip to SoCal planned in Dec, and wondering if Whitney is possible on that trip. I am a member of a local adventure club that puts on an annual mountaineering school, and last year their graduation trip was a winter summit of Whitney, so I have first hand accounts which increase my desire further.
I am trying to temper my excitement and desire with does of reality from all of you. I am no beginner, but I am not a technical mountaineer either. I have some technical skills, and all the gear, sans crampons and axes, both of which I can borrow from my club, and receive instruction in using. I haven’t taken my clubs mountaineering school yet either. I am a pilot, so I feel comfortable with moderate altitudes, but I haven’t engaged in hard physical activity above 12k in my life before (and again, I know sitting in a cockpit, and hiking a mountain are two different animals).
I’ve seen a couple solo Dec reports on this board, and it seems like early Dec can be cooperative weather-wise, so I am hopeful of an attempt if I feel that it safely falls within my ability range, however, I will defer to all of your folks’ better judgement.
Thank you.
