Mt Whitney Zone Forums Thread Like Summary - Permit question for backpacking

I can't seem to wrap my head around the permit process for requesting an overnight permit and could really use some help. We would like to stay at least one night at Trail Camp before attempting the summit and then back to Trail Camp or possibly first night at Outpost Camp, then next night at Trail Camp, summit and one final night at Trail Camp. So basically two to three nights. Does that affect our chances for getting a permit if we are requesting multiple nights?I realize it's more difficult to get an overnight permit versus a day hike in the lottery but we feel the additional time and acclimation will be helpful. Any advice would be truly appreciated.

To underscore: bobpickering is right -- Your number of nights makes NO difference in your chances in the lottery. In fact, you can add nights or drop nights even after starting the hike, it does not matter. The only thing that matters is that you have a permit, and that you start your hike on the date stated on the permit.

There are other places you can go to acclimate before your hike: Horseshoe Meadows, Onion Valley, Mammoth. All of those will put you at or above 9k elevation, and if you spend several days and nights there, you will be good for the Whitney hike.

Good luck in the lottery!!

Hello everyone.

Just clarifying, because I don't see it mentioned (and I may have missed it because the pandemic is stripping me of my ability to read), hikers approaching from the west need to descend to the west unless they obtain a permit that specifies "Overnight Exiting Mt. Whitney" which is itself subject to a quota.