JC, going down the Mt Whitney Main Trail requires a "Trail Crest Exit" permit, which is difficult to get, since there are so many people deciding to exit that way.
If you're comfortable with mountaineering, the mountaineers route can be done with a pack if you pay attention. All the guide services use ropes, but almost nobody else. And no trail crest exit permit is required.
Oh wow. Let me make sure I understand this. So the Mountaineers Route doesn't require an exit permit? So if I was to secure a permit for this trip and I decide to exit the Mountaineer Route I wouldn't have to select "Overnight Exiting Mount Whitney"? I think this confirms that but I just didn't read it that way when I first was going through the list:
"When selecting your entry trail, if you click on the trail name you see a description of the trail and maps. Not all trails go to the John Muir Trail or Mt. Whitney. Some other permits that include Mt Whitney are:
For rock climbing, the approach to Mountaineer’s Route, East Face, East Buttress, Mt. Russell and all other climbs in this isolated canyon, select the trail name “North Fork of Lone Pine Creek”."
I'll probably try to get one anyway just in case but this is great information.
Thanks so much for the feedback.
