Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Routing Advice Requested: Langley/Miter Basin

Your plan is awfully ambitious.

Day #1...I'd go over Army Pass...it more direct and less climbing. This gives the option of doing Langley on the way in. The Miter is a long way after a day of dealing with sand and up and down of the CL/NAP Trail. If you want to use NAP, take the South Fork Trail after the first stream crossing the unmarked junction is about 180' beyond the crossing. This will cut about a mile off the distance to NAP. You will have to some easy cross country hiking through the South Fork Lakes basin, consult your map for the logical route back to the NAP Trail below Long Lake.

You can spend the night at Lower Soldier Lake, if you are whooped.

Day #2...It sounds reasonable.

Day #3...I hate the hike back to Cottonwood Pass. I only time I'd do it would be if Army or New Army are closed because of snow. It is too sandy and too up and down. Also, consider looping out over Trail Peak and Trail Pass. If you are strong enough to reach the Miter on your first day, this should not create a problem for you. This is a much prettier way to go.

Do I pack the 10 degree sleeping bag, or the 25 degree sleeping bag...?

Choices, choices...... Advice appreciated......!

(Packing now for departure in a few days...)

NOAA Whitney forecast shows lows at 31 - 34 F over the next week, and that forecast is for the 13k elevation.

I'd take the lighter bag.

Post a trip report when you get back. I'll be heading up the miter basin in about 2 1/2 weeks on my way to Whitney.

AMAZING trip up Mt. Langley (1.9 times between Thursday and Sunday) and into Miter Basin. Trip report and photos to follow after I get some sleep! The advice from this board was HUGELY helpful, and impacted the trip in three significant ways that I will describe in the report. Am still feeling the awe of the experience.