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Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #40749 10/24/14 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted By: cmski11
If anyone is in Fresno on the 2nd of Dec or the Bay Area on the 4th of December Mike and I will be giving short talks on our past trips this year taking the trans-sierra route to Mt. Whitney. The talks are pretty fun, informative and hopefully inspirational. Good info if you're considering an approach to Whitney from the west next summer - where permits are easy to get. I know a few of you have joined us for talks in the past and we appreciate your support! ...and photo shop skills wink

Fresno talk at REI Fresno Dec 2 at 7pm - Free
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rei-fresno-a...ets-13390745079

Bay Area talk at Sunnyvale Sports Basement Dec 4 at 7pm - Free
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/sports-basem...ets-13390149297

Thanks for posting. I'll try to be there in Fresberg. Will there be any Grand Canyon pictures?

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #40750 10/24/14 09:42 AM
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"Everything I have read (and am counting on for my HST hike, says you get one permit from the entry jurisdiction, even if you are exiting at Trail Crest, subject to the Trail Crest quota. Even what Inyo publishes says this. What's the story? Inyo is now requiring a separate permit for ENTRY AT TRAIL CREST????"

Salty, I did not know that you were setting up a commercial operation for climbing Whitney. Congrats!

Or perhaps not, and you are a recreational climber.

There are a LOT of people who are interested in doing a guided climb of Whitney. Kurt has told me that he gets such requests very frequently. However, Inyo has decided that they do not want to remove from the recreational hiker permit pool the large number of permits that would go to commercial users. So, NO commercial operators are allowed to use the vastly overused main Whitney trail, it is entirely reserved for recreational hikers.

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
Ken #40751 10/24/14 10:51 AM
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Ken, Salty is not involved with the TSX people. This thread started 3 years ago. And you're right that commercial trips are not allowed on the Main Whitney Trail. (They could descend the "Easy Walk-off" Mountaineers Route though smile  )

I visited the www.tsxchallenge.com website. I see they have added three-day Spring Break trips to Grand Canyon. NICE! I should take my daughter!

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
Steve C #40783 10/26/14 01:20 PM
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Thanks, Steve. I'd missed the timeframe.

It is an interesting concept, though. Basically a part-time guiding job that generates $12,000/ a trip (minus costs).

One could generate some very interesting trips, which would be fun, but at the same time could generate some funds for, say, a website.

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #40797 10/27/14 08:51 AM
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I was always told by fs people and guides, no guided trips were allow on the MMWT. So, what NP people say makes sense to me to a point. The principle is entry point. Usually the jurisdiction you enter rules apply for the trip...trips starting in the parks do not require a exit permit. I am not familiar with the commercial rules but based on what you have been told it appears to be some co-operation between the Park and Forest Services.

I would ask for a copy of the forest or park order that covers this type of thing...just to have my bases covered.

Also, you can exit via a Horseshoe Meadow Trailhead but that would make the trip one to three days more...figuring you would not exit the day you summit.

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #40817 10/28/14 02:25 AM
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To follow-up, we do exit over Cottonwood and Horseshoe meadows. Originally I thought this was a bummer as it adds an extra day and a half to the trek, but we've got it down to a science now where we camp at this amazing location on the high desert plateau 2 miles above Rock Creek with an awesome view of Mt. Langley and others... here is a pic of our last group at camp in August this past year. Note, its a dry camp! We carry water up from Rock Creek.


Last edited by cmski11; 10/28/14 02:31 AM.
Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
Steve C #40818 10/28/14 03:13 AM
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like!

Bring her! Did that GC hike last spring and it was so inspiring I had to share... If there is any place that can give the serene and tranquil grandness of the Sierra a run for its money, it's the Grand Canyon.

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #44844 11/20/15 05:57 AM
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Just wanted to let others know our 2016 trek dates are up - 4 trips planned if you'd like to join an inspirational trek across the Sierra to Mt. Whitney next summer. We have a dedicated youth trek this year as well.

http://tsxchallenge.com

If you're curious about doing a trip like this on your own, we'll be giving an informational talk at REI Fresno on Dec 6th (link below) or feel free to ping me in this awesome forum. Glad to help.

http://www.rei.com/events/hiking-mt-whitney-with-tsx-challenge/fresno/130988

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #44849 11/20/15 09:34 AM
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The GC itinerary via the Tonto Trail provides an interesting alternative to the popular "rim to rim".

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
RenoFrank #44852 11/20/15 01:20 PM
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Agreed!

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #49190 02/06/17 09:34 AM
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Hey guys! Updating the thread here for those interested in learning more about hiking Mt. Whitney from the West (so much diversity, a lot less people, and easy permits). If looking for some inspiration and info as you plan summer treks, REI has invited me back to give a series of talks on "Backpacking the Sierra to Mt. Whitney." The talks are geared to inform, enable and inspire all ages.

A few of you have attended past talks and I appreciate the support - still using your Starbucks slide!

RSVP for a talk here (dates listed below): https://www.eventbrite.com/o/trans-sierra-club-7513511981

We organize a handful of Trans-Sierra treks ever summer, for all ages and experience levels. Early trips will be pretty intense with the water and snow... can't wait! More info here: http://tsxchallenge.com

REI Oregon
2/13 - Portland
2/15 - Salem
2/16 - Clackamas

REI So. Cal
2/21 - Wodland Hills
2/22 - North Ridge
2/23 - Manhattan Beach
2/24 - Tustin
3/7 - Encinitas
3/8 - San Diego

REI Nor. Cal
3/14 - Santa Rosa
3/15 - Corte Madera
3/21 - Fremont
3/22 - Berkeley
3/23 - Mountain view
3/28 - San Francisco
3/29 - San Carlos
4/4 - Saratoga
4/5 - Concord
4/15 - Dublin

Re: Trans-Sierra Trek to Whitney: TSX Challenge
cmski11 #52563 01/28/18 09:09 AM
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Friendly heads up that if you're interested in backpacking Mt. Whitney with an organized group in 2018, there's an important deadline looming February 1st.

In November, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park went through a new permitting process restricting the number of groups that can operate on Mt. Whitney, and the number of client service days allocated to each operator.

Here is the list of approved operators:
https://www.nps.gov/seki/getinvolved/guideservices.htm


Here is some additional information - and how we're approaching the deadline...
https://tsxchallenge.com/mt-whitney-important-feb-1st-deadline/

Bottom line is that deciding to join an organized group to summit Mt. Whitney after Feb 1st will be difficult to do, and likely more expensive.

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