Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Old Army Pass and Langley Conditions

Anyone been up there recently? I know the road just opened but just curious if anyone has any beta on the snowline and how well consolidated it is. I am planning on attempting a dayhike of Langley on Thursday. I know it is gonna be a stretch to finish and I am really just going for the acclimatization and workout before I head to South America next week for my climbing trip so I don't care too much if I don't summit.

Thanks!

Did you go? I'm curious too, i'm planning on heading up Saturday and would like to know what to expect.

I got back last night from a dayhike yesterday. Trail is mostly clear all the way to the lakes with pockets of snow right as you reach the lakes but it is no big deal. Very wet at the lakes with many areas of snow remaining, but also a good amount of trail exposed. The pass is a good snow climb, getting decently steep at the top, prob about 40 degrees the last 150 feet. The snow up the pass is hard packed near ice below the surface of 3-4 inches of slushier snow when in full sun. It was a pretty straight forward climb up the pass with no issues up or down. I headed up the pass around 9 am and back down at around noon and the snow was fine. Above the pass it is relatively snow free until Langley which is mostly snow covered starting at about 12,700.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have anymore specific questions.

Scott, thanks for the report. Did you summit Langley?

When you describe "the pass" is that New Army Pass or (old) Army Pass?

It was (old) Army Pass. It was steep enough above the boulder that is located 3/4 up to frontpoint most of the way to the top. I turned back just at the base of the summit plateau, it was a long dayhike by myself and I wanted to get back down the pass before it refroze. That is one long hike in mountaineering boots, my feet are sore today, I logged a little over 19 miles roundtrip.

When I first did Langley (maybe 25 years ago), it was a dry summer hike -- perfect conditions. And I thought it was a really long day then. With boots, snow, and crampons, it must have been especially grueling!