Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Main Trail, April 2016

Anyone thinking of hiking the main trail before May 1?

After this remaining weather moves out, a ridge of high pressure is supposed to form by Sunday. This should create perfect conditions all next week, with Wed 4/20 looking the best.

I've hiked Whitney 5 times - 4 times solo coming from the west & main trail in summer, and last May up the MR with a guided group. That trip, as our guide Ryan phrased it, was "Moutaineers Plus": crampons, ropes, the whole 9 yards:



Since an April trip would entail significant snow/ice from at least Trailside meadow (or even Outpost), and mid-week might be a bit empty, I was thinking it would probably be better to know if anyone else was going that way. Or, hike/climb along together.

The trip of course would require all the usual winter/spring gear, including crampons, ice axe, etc. for getting up the Chute and walking along the western ridge line. I would take along a helmet, but wouldn't bother with rope. If conditions warranted roping on the Main trail, it's probably the wrong place to be if you're just a casual snow/ice hiker.

Here's my projected schedule:

Tues 4/19 Drive up from SoCal, grab (walk-in) permit, hike to Consultation

Wed 4/20 Hit the Chute around 7am+- (just as it's slightly softening), get back to Trail crest & descent no later than 1pm (before it ices). Grab gear, hike out.

My friend and are doing the main trail May 6-8 (starting early morning on the 7th). You're welcome to join us! This will be our first experience in the snow.

On another note, assuming the Whitney Portal parking lot is open, is the trail navigable with headlamps if we leave before sunrise? Even with the snow ... ?

Thanks!

Hello,

I will be attempting Mt Whitney via the Main Trail in April as well. I've been monitoring the weather for a while and the weather window next week looks great. My current plan is to drive down to Lone Pine by late Sunday night, 17th April, pick up the permit on Monday morning and hike to Outpost / Trail Camp by Monday evening. Then if the conditions are good, hike via the chute to the summit and back to Outpost / Trail by Tuesday evening. Depending on the time, weather and personal condition, I'll stay a night camping at Outpost / Trail on Tuesday night and head down to Whitney Portal on Wednesday morning or go down straight on Tuesday.

This will be my first try at Whitney and as I was looking at doing it alone, I was planning to play it very cautiously. But if I'm able to join anyone on a similar trail path and dates, that would be great.



Hobbes, I will be getting similar gear as what you mentioned. A little bit of my background and experience:
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/45184/Mt_Whitney_Main_Trail_in_April#Post45184
I think I'm in a decent physical shape having done a 13500 feet mountain in the tropics just last week. I've used crampons and done self-arrest training on a glacier but not on a mountain climb. My main concern is finding the trail especially since I've never attempted Whitney before. Please feel to free to message me if you're okay with doing the climb together.

Hobbes, you are sure to have a memorable trip!

Please bring back pictures for all to see. There will be many interested in seeing them.

Good luck and have fun!