Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Hiking Whitney Solo (Day Hike) - Good or Bad Idea?

I plan to hike Whitney solo, starting at around 1:30 or 2am in a 1 full day trip. The plan is to do this in early June, late June, or Mid July.

I know it is long and I will train for. I know about altitude, which I have never had any issue yet at 11-12k. I will do a few 13k to prepare for it.

What should I be concern about hiking at night during the period above? Temperature? Bears? Any recommendation? The more you thoughts you can provide, the more I can prepare. Thanks.

1. You will be wishing for "solo" time on the trail, as you can almost high five people on the switchbacks, especially, in July.

2. Bears are a real problem in the Portal area, so heed the usual cautions of storing your food properly & never leave your pack or food or open trunk unattended for even a second (this includes setting your pack down anywhere in that area in the beginning of your hike).

3. Temps? My motto is be prepared for the worst so that you will be pleasantly surprised when it does not happen. I never travel the Sierra -- even at day -- without a rain shell & fleece layer (I always carry an emergency bivvy, but this gets into a whole other discussion)

4. One of the other items I never hike without is a headlamp for those unintended night hikes -- you will be glad to have it on the way back

Please feel free to read as many trip reports on this site. You will find all important issues discussed in these reports.

1. You do not hike Mt. Whitney solo. You will have 160 of your nearest and dearest new friends for company. The conga line of headlights will prove that very early on.

2. Never having a problem at 11,500' does not mean you will not have problems at 14,500'. The only way to tell is to replicate what you are attempting...go to White Mountain a month earlier than your Whitney attempt.

3. For night hiking, you will need a good headlight. The rest is similar to day hiking only a touch slower. Take a short distance night hike on a trail you are familiar with before heading to Mt. Whitney.