Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2013 (Out-of-Date)

thanks a lot. we are leaving early tomorrow morning and will post pictures and trail conditions while we can. do you guys recommending taking the 99 switch back or the snow chute to the east right under the trail crest. we have full gears. crampon, ice ax, one rope team. thanks.

Also, if taking the chute, do folks have suggestions on (1) best window of time to hit the chute going up, and (2) best window of time to hit the chute going down.....

Thanks!

George, since you have full gear, going up the slope (chute) will be more direct and easier. Coming down, you can decide.

I would definitely talk to others you meet on the trail and ask what they did.

From what I have read, the snow from a week ago has nearly melted away, so there is probably a boot track up the switchbacks again.

I've not seen anyone ever need or use a rope in that area, so you might find it to be extra baggage.


Karin, early is best going up, mainly so you can get to the chute before it falls in the shadow of the Whitney crest, cools down and ices up. If you can time it so you are back to Trail Crest by 2 PM, I think that would be the best time. If the weather is especially warm, then later should be ok.

Thanks, Steve! And by early, you mean .....? Doing this as a backpack, so please tell me what you really think...have some flexibility on summit day start time from camp. (Getting back to Trail Crest by 2 should not be a problem). Thanks!

If you are camping at Trail Camp, right at the foot of the switchbacks, an 8 AM start should be just fine. If you're camping down at outpost, then start earlier, say 6:30.

If it is a cold morning, it will take time with sunshine to warm the icy conditions. On a warmer day that won't be a big deal. And going up on harder snow is easier than coming down in the same.

Exactly the info I was looking for. Many thanks. And congrats on the amazing R2R.

i have a day permit for June 9th, (Sunday). We are spending a couple of nights at the Whitney Portal and i wanted to know what kind of a weather(temperature) we can expect there. Also, do you guys think the switchbacks will be open by then, and where can i find the details so i know what kind of gear to pack.

thanks!

Here is a link for a 7-day forecast for 12,800' in the Whitney Zone... basically what you can expect at Trail Camp. (Ignore the top line, which has current conditions for Bishop, and scroll down to where the 7-day forecast is.)

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php...Field2=-118.275

You can use the little map to adjust the forecast area.

Also, this link will give you current and historical information for Cottonwood Lakes, 10K elevation, which is near Whitney.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=MCWDC1

heatpro, I am sure by June 9 that you will see very little snow on the switchbacks.

A good place to start on the gear question is the Orientation Notes (in the Feature Topics box above on the left).

i just wanted to share my recent experience climbing mt. whitney. i hiked it with a friend, from may 19th-21st. the weather was perfect. we camped at trail camp on the night of the 19th, hiked to the summit on the 20th, and descended on the 21st. the switchbacks were mostly clear, the only hazardous parts were at the cables, and the switchback at the very top, which is still mostly covered in snow. there is also a lot of snow from trail crest to the summit, but it's very manageable.

i didn't use crampons or ice axe. i had a new pair of hiking shoes, and poles, which seemed to be sufficient for the majority of the hike. some sort of extra traction would have been really nice for the couple of spots i mentioned before. my hiking partner had microspikes, which she found really useful. this was also her first time backpacking!

i imagine with as fast as the snow is melting, conditions will be different from day to day for the next few weeks. i would guess that by mid june, there will be no snow left on the trail, barring another snowstorm.

Thanks for the post tegularius.

Calicokat was up on 5/20, and posted his pictures here:
Main Trail 05/20/13: Photos Of Cables, Switchbacks

Several of his pictures:






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

Here's a video posted May 21 of someone making their way along the what is likely the top switchback before Trail Crest.

Conditions are ok when the temperatures are warm enough to keep the snow soft, but when it is cold, the steps can be icy.

Another note: People should NOT hike on snow without eye protection (sunglasses)!

That may not be the last switchback, based on the view down and the view up at the end of the video. There are a couple of places on the switchbacks where care must be taken (not just the cables and last switchback) though conditions are changing very very rapidly.

June 3: I have seen others writing and posting that the Main Trail is pretty much free of snow, with some care required on snow at the cables, and several other patches.

Most people are hiking with only hiking poles, and no technical gear.

Steve,

I snagged a permit for June 10th yesterday and had a few questions. I never hike with poles and am confident without them. Do you think they are necessary for the few snow patches that remain?

Cody

Congrats on the permit!

No, poles aren't mandatory. Just understand that if it turns cold (as in cooler weather and later in the afternoon), that snow you cross can ice-up and become quite slippery. So watch when you go up, and imagine walking down over it. If it isn't too bad, you're ok. If it is, then make sure you get down before icy conditions set up.

Hi Steve,

To kind of piggyback off that question, if I may...

Two first timers with permits for tomorrow and Thursday. Do you suggest we bring crampons and ice axe for the current conditions?

I know you mentioned some areas of ice. We plan on talking to people on their way down and we know we might have to move once the sun has heated up the ice as well.

Thanks in advance!

If you are taking the main trail there is no need for ice axe and crampons. There isn't enough snow to arrest on anyway. If anything i would bring a set of micro spikes.

I was up this last Sunday with two first timers. We all brought micro spikes and none of us pulled them out. we did all use poles though which I thought were helpful in the small amount of snow we did encounter.

ruckustrx11,

Thank you for the advice. We are taking the main trail, camping at Trail Camp. We're starting every early (3 am), so it will give us time to push if we feel good enough for a 1 day hike or if we need some rest and have it make it two days. We feel pretty prepared, we've done a lot of 10,000+ hiking.

The snow/ice was our main concern, as we did not want to pack gear we didn't need. But from the sound of it, hiking boots and some extra care around icy areas seems to be okay.

Thanks again!

Bob R hiked the Main Trail 5/31 - 6/2, and posted his pictures here.

Bob reports: "Crampons and ax are not needed any more. But bring your mosquito repellent."

Here are several of his pictures:



Cables, looking back:



Top of the switchbacks, approaching Trail Crest