Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports Main Trail 05/20/13: Photos Of Cables, Switchbacks

Went up to pluck off some more needles on Monday and thought some of you would like some conditions photos.

Cables




Majority Of The Switchbacks Were Dry, But A Few Looked Like This


Right Before Trail Crest Was Iffy Without Gear, A Fall Wouldn't Be Pretty With Icy Conditions






Slope Heading Up To The Summit Plateau


And A Few Photos For Fun:

Trail Camp Follies. This Guy Walked Out Of A Tent He Chewed A Hole Though For This Tasty Snack


Gotta Love The Alpine Glow


I Climbed Third Needle, Aiguille Extra, Junior & du Paquoir. Different Perspective Photos

Calicokat: Thanks SO MUCH for the pictures! I posted several of them and a link in the Current Conditions thread.

People really need to see these. It shows how tenuous conditions are. When it is icy, one slip could be the last. But during mid-day when the snow is softer, it is so much easier.

Any thoughts on if the snow will be about gone by 6/22?

There will likely only be patches by late June. I would expect you will be able to hike the switchbacks without touching snow, and only the patch below the summit hut will be there, with a deep groove through it where all the hikers tread.

If it doesn't snow again, and if the warming trend continues, the trail may be largely snow free by mid-June .... Two big ifs, of course.