Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Mountaineer's route in Jan

Going up the mr in Jan, and my burliest bag is a 20 degree. I was thinking of sleeping in my thick wool socks and layers. Any ideas on this? I did try a search, but did not see this exact topic addressed. I was wondering what people typically take clothing wise for this trip. I did the route this summer, but day hiked it light. Obviously, it is a different beast in the winter.
Thanks

Do you have experience winter backpacking, or will you be with someone who has?

VERY few people attempt this, in Jan. The problem is unconsolidated snow. You could easily be dealing with chest-high postholing, which snowshoes may not help. There is also significant avalanche danger up this route, and this time of the year may have significant snow loading on surfaces you will cross. You'd want an avalanche transceiver, training in it's use, and partners that know what they are doing with them, who practice.

This is not a novice or training route in snow work.

I'm also interested in this route in winter conditions, but am well aware of the dangers of the snow conditions due to lack of consolidation. What time of year is "usually" better for snow consolidation?

> What time of year is "usually" better for snow consolidation?

Any time there has been a period of no new snow and a warming trend -- enough warming to achieve some surface melting. That would cause the snow to consolidate. The more consolidation, the better, to the point you can just walk on the surface without sinking in, or worst, postholing to the bottom.

Unfortunately, conditions vary from slope to slope -- south-facing get more sun and consolidate quicker. North-facing may never consolidate well. And of course areas shaded by trees won't consolidate until warmer weather.

Most people go up the Mountaineers Route in the spring, since heading up the trail and walking those 11 miles in unpleasant snow conditions makes the trip almost impossible, while the shorter, steeper, more direct MR gives hikers more "bang for the buck", in that they don't need to break trail for as great a distance.

From late winter on, more and more people head up the MR as the months pass. The optimal time is maybe March or April, when people can hike over the top of the snow, but BEFORE the runoff in the stream undercuts the snowpack to the point there is a danger of breaking through the snowpack and falling through to the stream.

I probably should have provided more details. I'm just getting into winter mountaineering, and I am going with experienced people. I believe we will wait for a safe(r) window with regards to recent snow/consolidation. I was just trying to get an idea for a proper bag (sounds like mine is a little thin) and/or layering while sleeping. I was thinking of wearing fleece pants, Nuptse jacket, down booties, etc.