Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Trail Conditions

Ok, I admit it, I'm goin nuts sitting here on the east coast hoping for a serious high pressure and record high temps for the southern Sierras in the upper 90's! Where is the currrent snow line on the main WT? I would also like to request for anyone hiking the main trail between today and June 28, when I arrive, to please take blow torches with you to help clear the trail .

Going nuts here too in the south! We had temps in the 90's last week. Packing crampons and ice ax so I will be making my summit bid on 7-2. Plus I'll have my freak flag flying since it's all about the karma. Good Luck!

I have a permit for the 28th also. (Keeping my fingers crossed). Difference is I only have a 4-5 hour drive from Nor Cal.

My concern is if the temps heat up that will make for a lot of runoff. That melted snow has to go somewhere.

We hit it the 30th for a over night ascend.....First timer as well. Coming from the east coast and refuse to quit. We're going to try to get an extra night when we pick up permits, to give us a more leisurely stroll up. Could you take a BLOW TORCH with you when you ascend....Good Luck

If you have an overnight permit, you can easily change the exit date when you pick it up (exit date can be specified for up to two weeks from date of entry).

Thanks......I can't exit later....(fly out the 2nd) We were hoping to pick up an extra night earlier. Meaning we're scheduled to hike on the 30th, and exit the 1st. We're picking up our permits on the 29th, early (between 9 and 11am) We were hoping maybe to pick up something for that day, and get an early start. Like stated, first timer, out of shape (compared to all here) and freakin out....but determined, and going for it. I give us a 50/50 chance.

So that means they may put you in the 10 a.m. lottery for any unclaimed overnight permits for entry that same day (or, if they have a ton of unclaimed permits, they may just rewrite your permit). They'll have everyone pick a number out of a hat, and they'll call you by number and give out permits until the permits are exhausted. If there are more permits than people who want permits, everyone wins.

For a Wednesday at the end of June, you have a good chance. Last year, there were 25 unclaimed permits for the last Wednesday in June meaning that, even after the same day lottery, there were more permits than people who wanted them. See http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/3436/Unused_Whitney_Permits_2010.