As three first-timers and one day-summiter (albeit 10+ years ago), we found this forum extremely helpful in preparing for our trip up to the summit this past weekend (11-12 July) so thought we'd post a brief TR to help other first-timers. We are 4 women (late 30s-50ish) and relatively fit although not alpha-types, and two of us had never done an overnight backpack trip. First off, as others note, the trail is mostly snow-free now so that is no longer an issue. Arriving from sea level in San Diego, we spent the first night at the portal and managed to get a walk-in site at the trail head (arriving ~ 3 pm Saturday afternoon). We got a 9:30ish start primarily because it took sooo long for us to sort out and pack all our gear, and arrived at Trail Camp at ~ 3.30 pm. Advice to Other Newbies #1: Start early on trail to avoid heat!
We camped at Trail Camp (7/11) and even though we'd been hailed on during our ascent, the night time conditions were relatively mild (I would estimate low 40s). No moon, extraordinary stars, and even though snow and rain storms were forecast we lucked out and had none! Ranger Jonathon was exceptionally friendly helpful in pointing us to a well-protected site and even helped us set up our guy ropes to make our tents more rainproof. We took 2 bear canisters which should have been enough, but Advice #2: consolidate your load among your group so that you have only 1 sunscreen, 1 insect repellent (definitely needed as mozzies were severe), and not 16 million bags of trail mix etc.
Two of us had low-grade altitude headaches and one had a pounding headache on summit ascent day (Monday, 7/12) but ibuprofen really did the trick and we all felt good enough to make the ascent. Wanted to start at 6 am but started at 7:20 am (see advice #1 - also important to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms at the summit!). We each took 2 quarts of water to the summit and used every last drop. Our ascent took ~2.25 hours to Trail Crest and about the same to the summit. Trail conditions great - nothing technical - but don't underestimate that you need a certain fitness level. We got back to Trail Camp in ~ 3 hours at 3 pm and all wanted to collapse in the tent, but had to pack up and make the descent back to the portal. To make it worse, it had also started to hail. Advice #3: on your summit ascent day, try to get a permit that allows you to stay an extra night at Trail Camp because it is NOT pleasant doing the additional 6 mile descent to the portal after the elation of the summit. We made the descent from trail camp to the portal in ~ 4 hours, but it seemed like a very long 4 hours and all our legs, feet and calves are still feeling it 2 days later!
Things we didn't like about our Whitney hike experience:-
The negativity of some hikers at the trailhead who told us that we likely wouldn't make the summit - we are uncertain whether this was because we were women, or whether this was because of the general pessimism of some people!
Wag bags left behind at Trail Camp - pack them out!!
The long and winding descent to the portal on our summit day
Things we really liked about our Whitney Trail experience:-
Ranger Jonathon
An excuse to eat umpteem zillion Snickers bars
Most of all, I think the camaraderie of doing the hike and making the summit!
