Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports Whitney MT 4/27-29, 2014

Greeting WZ!

My friends and I had a great trip up the main trail. Feel free to check out photos from our trip. I'm not sure what the next few days of warm weather will do with the current snow quality however here are some observations I made:

- If traveling early be prepared for cold/windy conditions from above mirror lake and up.

- No water above mirror lake. Bring enough or bring your stove.

- Absolutely no need for snow-shoes. At least in the next few days.... We had no issues with post-holing on our way down from trail crest to Orchard Camp.

- I think this is pretty obvious but I wouldn't think about traveling up past trail crest without at the very least an ice axe and crampons. I can see how experienced hikers such as Richard P. or Bob P. can go up the chute with just trail runners and a pole (maybe not even that) but for normal humans like me, I'd be prepared. Also be ready for snowed out/sketchy sections of trails on the west side. I was surprised at how many people we came across on our way down, heading up without an axe or crampons, or what type of conditions to expect.

Overall it was a beautiful trip with gorgeous conditions. Ken will need to return another day for his Whitney summit but the fire has definitely been lit! Be safe everyone!

Whitney Main Trail 4/27-29, 2014

Wow, those are great shots! Thanks for bringing them back. They will really help a lot of people wondering about conditions.

That's a great shot of your friends. Sounds like Ken need a little more time acclimating -- maybe some Diamox.

Thanks for this! Heading up on 5/2--great to know what to expect!

Great pictures, Carine. Is guiding becoming your second career?

Thanks for the report happy trails. I followed you boot prints up to trail camp on the 30th but called off the summit after reports of the cables. Regardless of not making the summit it was a beautiful amazing experience.

Great photos and great TR!! Thanks for posting!

I have no plans to do Whitney this year... kinda bummed. I might end up tacking it on to the backend of a Yosemite trip I'm going on in June... Since I've completed a few summertime summits, one of these days I want to get a winter/spring summit in with all that snow!