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 Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1 |
This is a slightly delayed update/post on the conditions from the weekend of 4/11/15-4/13/15 for the mountaineers route. My husband and I met my brother in-law and two friends who were traveling from New York in LA and we quickly headed to the Sierra's. We had beautiful weather. I have attached our trip account which is pretty detailed with photos and video. Enjoy - this is a great climb! Our trip account
Last edited by smantha62; 04/28/15 05:38 AM.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 584 Likes: 13
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 584 Likes: 13 |
Samantha (I'm going to assume that's your name) sounds like you had a great adventure. You also have some awesome photographic skill!
@jjoshuagregory (Instagram) for mainly landscape and mountain pics
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
I spent one memorable night like this at the base of Mt Williamson. Will never forget.... (Turn down the volume before playing) Smantha62's text: The bright spots of direct sunlight on our orange tent marked the end of the least enjoyable night I've ever spent in a tent. We had been holed up in our miniature nylon compounds for nearly 10 dark hours with wind gusting over 45 miles per hour. Our tent bucked and weaved as variable gusts assaulted every square inch and any slack nylon was transformed into a violent noise maker.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 31
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 31 |
Whitney Main Trail conditions from 4/27/15.
http://gocarine.smugmug.com/Category/42715-Whitney-MT-Dayhike-with/48920485_qshT9t#!i=4022337449&k=dPGzf24
My good friend Akemi and I were planning on trail running as high as we could go with the minimal gear we brought. (Me: trail runners, yak traks, trekking poles.) When I reached the cables, I felt confident with the snow quality, put on my yak traks and continued forward. I used part of the chute to reach Trail Crest and took the chute again on the way down thanks to some established boot tracks (I didn't want to risk passing the cables agains after the afternoon heat softened the snow). Gusty winds at Trail Crest, the windows, and summit plateau, otherwise a GREAT day. Total trip time: 9.5 hours.
Kevin: I stood at the exact location of your photo... No tent, no gear, no wallet. It's time to move on.
Last edited by happytrails; 04/28/15 03:42 PM.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 37
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 37 |
Wow! Brave soul. Thank you for the info. I plan on going up on the 10th. Hopefully, the main trail is a little more clear by then!
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1 |
Whitney trail conditions 4/27/15
Trail became mostly snow covered at 11,500ft.
The switchbacks above trail camp appeared much more exposed and dangerous than the chute to the right/north. Chute was managable with micro spikes and trekking poles. No serious exposure although you could blast into some rocks/boulders if your glissade became out of control.
Overall i would think conditions would be pretty intimidating for the average hiker after trail camp up to the trail crest, but for most people with previous crampon/micro spike experience on moderately steep terrain you'd probably feel pretty comfortable. That being said, if snow conditions get much firmer/icey, the snow chute would be an absolute no fall zone and could be intimidating for anyone, no matter your experience. Unless you're a badass, then your good... But if your a bad ass you probably wouldnt be reading this.... Or hiking the whitney trail for that matter.. Haha.
I love you all. Enjoy the journey.
Last edited by Ewg; 04/28/15 06:16 PM.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Here's a report from Apr 29: A spell of nice spring conditions permitted me to summit yesterday April 29. Here are some observations:
The trail to Trail Camp is essentially free of significant snow. Lone Pine Lake is no longer frozen. The spring in Bighorn Park is flowing. The last significant flowing water is the creek at Trailside Meadow. Consultation Lake remains completely frozen. The ice on the pond at Trail Camp is melting.
The few hikers who attempted the Switchbacks were not having much success. The consensus route was up the snow chute to Trail Crest.
There was a fair amount of snow on the trail on the backside from Trail Crest to the Summit, but no traction devices were needed.
For those wishing to scramble up Muir from the West, the conditions were perfect.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16 |
1962
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 Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1 |
So, the weather is pretty bad this week. Plan - Saturday - Whitney Portal to Trail Camp. Sunday - Trail Camp to Summit & back. http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Whitney/forecasts/4418Image - http://i.imgur.com/H8OJGEf.png?1Would you recommend snow shoes (carrying crampons for the icy chute for sure) or we can get away with it? Is there any advice you can give us (been there twice earlier - May 2012, March 2013)? -RA
Last edited by Rohan; 05/14/15 02:09 PM.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
That Mountain-Forecast site always exaggerates the possibility of show and precipitation. Check the NOAA site on the weather, too. Leave snow shoes home. Gaiters will help keep snow out of your boots. Keep your clothing dry with a good outer layer. Remember two things: the mountain will always be there, and the top is only half way. Make sure you turn around in time to make it out safely. If you have to bail, check the unused Whitney permits pages, and know that you can come back practically any time and try again when the weather is good.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 654 Likes: 54
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 654 Likes: 54 |
9.5 hours, car to car, in April? You are tougher than ever, Carine! Wanna day hike Williamson this summer?
Last edited by bobpickering; 05/15/15 09:19 AM.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4 |
what are your thoughts now considering all these late storms? We have 6/9 permits. While we are all very experienced trail runners we do not have snow experience. We were planning on yaktrax and hiking poles. Should we move up to crampons?
Is it even hikable at this point? Even if the Forcast is 1/2 wrong that is 15 more inches of snow.
I'll take any opinions!
Last edited by Ysmtrnr; 05/16/15 08:32 AM.
Yosemite Runner
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 69 Likes: 2
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 69 Likes: 2 |
I am doing Langley around June 7/8 ish (day hike), and I'd like to have anyone's opinion too. I'm guessing Army Pass will not be passable w/o crampons/ice axe, but New Army should be fine with poles?
"Come and Let Us Climb the Lord's Mountain!" -Isaiah 2:5
Instagram: @jeesparza33
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
what are your thoughts now considering all these late storms? We have 6/9 permits. While we are all very experienced trail runners we do not have snow experience. We were planning on yaktrax and hiking poles. Should we move up to crampons?
Is it even hikable at this point? Even if the Forcast is 1/2 wrong that is 15 more inches of snow.
I'll take any opinions!
Ysmtrnr, Not sure where you are getting those inches. Beware that some sites way over-exaggerate the possible amount of snow. Checking the NOAA site, the text reports 1 to 2 inches possible. - - - - - - - - - - SanG Hiker: I think your guessing is correct on Army Pass vs New Army Pass. In a few weeks, the new snow that has fallen will all be gone.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4 |
Yosemite Runner
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
In the Feature Topics box to the left (scroll up if necessary), you can see the link to the Mt Whitney Weather page. On that page, the NOAA weather links are at the top. Mountain-forecast.com is down a ways. It is the worst for exaggerating the estimated snowfall. I would always go to the NOAA forecast first.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,253
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,253 |
what are your thoughts now considering all these late storms? We have 6/9 permits. While we are all very experienced trail runners we do not have snow experience. We were planning on yaktrax and hiking poles. Should we move up to crampons?
Is it even hikable at this point? Even if the Forcast is 1/2 wrong that is 15 more inches of snow.
I'll take any opinions!
Ysmtrnr, Not sure where you are getting those inches. Beware that some sites way over-exaggerate the possible amount of snow. Checking the NOAA site, the text reports 1 to 2 inches possible. - - - - - - - - - - SanG Hiker: I think your guessing is correct on Army Pass vs New Army Pass. In a few weeks, the new snow that has fallen will all be gone. I know there is not a lot of snow up there but get over NAP this early would without skills might be living in interesting times. I do know Cottonwood Pass is doable in June even in big snow years...I did it in 2005 and 2006. New Army Pass usually has a cornice at the top early in the year that requires a fairly decent skill set...if a trail has not been beaten in.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1 |
Anyone know the current trail conditions? I haven't seen a trip report in a couple of weeks, since the last couple storms. I am looking to summit over memorial day weekend and wondering what the trail condition is. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 20
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 20 |
I am curious about this as well. I'm planning a trip on the 13th and wondering what the conditions are like currently.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
TomH20, the snow that fell was not heavy, judging by the webcam views available. You will likely encounter snow on the switchbacks, but so many people are already going that it will be packed down. Taking microspikes would likely give you the added traction to help over the packed snow.
Ernest, 6/13 is weeks away. You will likely encounter pretty easy-going conditions, but likely some patches of snow to cross. Depending on your comfort level, microspikes might help.
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