Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion 2012 Whitney Hike Calendar

My permit date is Sept. 18, 2012. MWT a Tuesday,day hike starting just after midnight." I am scared of bears." That's my big confession,but I am concerned about the altitude as well. I will be finding my slowest pace so I can eat and drink and breath. I want to make it to the top!
I cancelled 5 other midweek permits back to the pool.So Excited. Training already,..Jonishiker. Anyone else planning on starting with the same game plan in mind?

Ditto except my date is August 1st. Going with a friend from work. I have started hiking/walking around town, like back and forth to work. We will be meeting here in the next week to plan straegies for training and ultimately the trip. I am so looking forward to the hike. I have never done anything like this before.

Last year I saw a guy chasing a bear at the Portal. The bear ran for its life from the crazy old man. No joke. You should be more afraid of the altitude. You have plenty of time to get in great shape before September. I would never start at midnight unless my plans were to see the sun rise on the summit. Way too early IMO.

Just put in for my vacation time at work.
I'll be bumming around the Whitney/Lone Pine area the week of Aug 27-31.
I'm planning on 4-5 of those days being up the North Fork trail.

Starting to get excited about it!!! Gotta read all I can about the NF between now and then.

June 12-16Th cant wait. Going to have a fly by in the cessna (not mine ,my fathers). Got most of my stuff ready but should be visiting the gym more (stair master,yes for men too).

Gear? still waiting on marmot to send lithium membrane sleeping bag, they said latest may30th!now thats cutting it close, mental preperation? check, babysiter? check, prepared wife? check, timeoff work? check, physical prep? sort of, not much of a trainer prior to trips, just do it, thats what nike commercial said. reading material? check, ipod? check.

maybe ill see some of you out there if not more whitney to myself (no offense)

I saw something similar in the Portal campground, only it was a young couple trying real hard to get a picture WITH a bear that sent the poor thing running as fast as it could. It was a really odd sight, one that I would not care to see duplicated.

As far as starting at midnight, I have and would do it again. Not because of a worry of time to the summit, but purely because the MMWT is just so enjoyable at night. Seeing the random flickers of headlamps ahead and behind you, hearing things that you can't see, the moon light on the trail, it's all really great to experience.

It's beautiful in full daylight as well, but that's what the way down is for.

My date this year is June 25th for a day hike, but I'm planning on trying to grab an overnight permit the Sunday before and spending a couple of days enjoying myself on the trail.

Heading up April 26-29 with a group of 6.
Plan is:
Hostel on Thursday night and then on the trail Early Friday morning to trail camp. R/T to the summit on Saturday and back down on Sunday. Hope we don't get too many more storms before then.

That can be a tall order. It's good that you're choosing to stop at Trail Camp before trying to summit the next day, but from the elevation in La Verne (same as me, pretty much), to Trail Camp is over 10,000 ft. That's a lot of acclimating to do in a single night at altitude before trying to head up another almost 5,000 ft. the very next day.

I tried driving up, staying at the Hostel, and summiting without stopping at Trail Camp, and I got sick at Trail Camp. Nearly didn't come off of the mountain under my own power. Everyone is different, but it is something to keep in mind.

I have a very good reason for being scared of bears but it will keep until I have the time to post it.
Anyway thanks for the funny and encouraging stories.
Also,
Does anyone know if there will be a 2012 calendar of dates and names? I had a huge fight with my server over the weekend and I some of my postings disappeared.

Thanks for the heads-up on the altitude difference. Most in group are using Diamox. I have not experienced any problems previously but I know that is no great indicator of what this trip will be like. I have spent some time reviewing the subject of AMS, HAPE and HACE and noted that one of the corrective options for HAPE is Nifedipine which lowers the blood pressure. I typically have low blood pressure as the norm so maybe that has something to do with it.

We'll see how it goes.

John

I've been reading this board a couple of years now. Hopefully I will get a chance to meet some of you. If a 2012 calander is created....

ddmansprty, June 18, 2012

(I promise I will not start a thread asking if the trail will be clear of snow on that date two months in advance

Mike

tdtz - party of 1
Onion Valley to Mt Whitney Portal

Start Date - August 15
Exit MMWT - August 23

Joni, I finally created the calendar. Sorry you lost posts. We want to read your bear story! (but put it in its own thread.)

Everyone, please check the calendar for any errors.

I'll be coming in on June 18th. First time for me, although I did complete the Marine Corps Summer Mountain Survival course up in Bridgeport, CA....in my younger days. I should be acclimated by the time I get there. I'll be spending 3 days the week before in the Tetons, then plan on spending a night up at Devils Postpile, and the night before at the Portal Camp ground. Trip of a lifetime.

Cool Steve, It will be great to see the calendar so we can all follow along everyone's experience and hopefully be able to meet others that have so thoughtfully posted their Whitney Passions.
When I get my computer back up to speed I will start a new thread and re-type by bear scare story.
Joni

Hi there, please put me (+3) down for June 30-July 5, Onion Valley to Whitney Portal. Thanks!

Please include us (me and husband) for MMWT August 1 - 2. We will be (most likely) turning in our overnight permit for July 25th if plans stay the same. I will do this at least four weeks ahead of time.

Oh, and I love bears! I hope to see at least one or two during our stay.

Hh hew, I was just going to ask you if you got your permits.
That is great news. Make sure you let me know the inside scoop since you are going at an earlier date. Have you done any training hikes yet?
Joni

I'll be in the vicinity somewhere around the 22-24 of July. Hopin' for a walk-in.

Exit will be two weeks later. I like to take my time on the trail.