Good luck!! I was there backpacking on Oct 29thst. Was hit with some pretty cold weather in the 20s and very windy. Only made it to trail camp. Than stayed at lone pine lake the 2nd night. There is a lot of snow up there and it does slow you down a lot. Most of the snow is compacted.
Need microspikes for sure and gaiters. It was a very Happy Halloween indeed. We left around am, summited around pm, and made it back to our car around pm. As another comment mentioned, the 1. It was a crazy intense hike, but so rewarding and beautiful with the snow. When you crest and see the Sequoia mountains … breathtakingly beautiful. The switchbacks were a combo of soft snow and packed ice, so we hiked very slowly on the switchbacks because we had to be so careful with our footing.
We averaged about 1 mph the whole time due to the snow. Around 15 people summited that day. We saw some groups turn back at the switchbacks, so there were more people on the trail, just not at the summit. Be safe out there! Crampons and poles are necessary. Switchbacks can be sketchy at times so we took it slow going up and down.
We started at AM and got back to the parking lot at PM We spent 1hr and 45mins at the summit. The weather was perfect because we had clear skies and hardly encountered any wind, it was cold of course, but a beautiful day nonetheless. It took us 9 hrs to reach the summit, and 10 hours to get back because my husband hurt his ankle. We read that the lakes at the top were frozen, so we took plenty of water 3L will do the trick if you do the hike in a single day.
The trail was pretty icy and slippery at around mile 3… we all slipped at some point during the hike. The switchbacks were filled with ice and to be honest, the cables there will not save anyone who accidentally slips. From this point on the trail gets more difficult and dangerous until about a mile after the John Muir sign. Good luck everyone! We would not have been able to continue were it not for the tracks of other hikers and the hard packed snow that held our weight.
Multiple sections on switchbacks were definitely dicey but again, the hard snow helped us out. Hit the cables by 6am and made the summit by 10am. The descent was much more treacherous as we set off at am. Got to the cables around 3pm and the snow the whole way was much softer and shelving off rather treacherously underfoot.
I think our pace was 0. I was also dealing with a sprained ankle so getting back was difficult. By 5pm we still had 4 miles to go to the trailhead and conditions were much icier the whole way back.
Made it back to the car at pm pretty much delirious. It was an experience of a lifetime but it was very taxing both physically and mentally. Made it to Trail Camp. Set up camp there, very windy until about 1hr after sunset. Didn't think I'd have time to summit, so played it safe and came down in the morning.
For my first backpacking trip, this was amazing. Microspikes and poles were the key for me. We made it about 1 mile past Trail Crest. The summit was a little over a mile away but we made the decision to turn back. The back side was completely covered in snow.
There were areas that we had to pass of just ice and it just became unsafe. The wind kicked up and we were getting blasted with snow and sliding in most areas. Our group of 7 left at and made it to trail camp by However, once we got to slightly past the cables the amount of snow and ice seemed too dangerous for our group to attempt, we made it to about ft before turning around.
We did encounter several individuals that had ice axes and they continued on. I went on Oct 31 just got off the trail. Also know that the snowy trail is going to slow you down some and take more energy away from you. Spent an hour up there which was beautiful not windy at all just blistering cold. Left the trail camp at and made it to the parking lot by 6. We left at am and our group of 3 made it up the first of the switchbacks and just past the cables at 12pm.
We had microspikes and poles throughout the entire hike and would not have made it even close if not for those items. We were with their other friends that turned around at the cables due to the conditions. We tried to summit on 28th of October in one day. There were plenty of snow starting from Lone Pine Lake, which started melting when the sun was shining and freezing in the dusk.
The weather was pleasant during the day, no strong winds, no snowfalls. The snow was getting dipper closer to Consultation Lake and 99 switchbacks. We stopped at m in the middle of switchbacks and turned back, cause the snow became deeper on the trail, approx one mile from the Trail Crest.
Trail is snowy but it is packed down and as long as you have crampons you should be good! My permit was for the 25th, but due to the snowstorm. I didnt go. I tried to go up today, the 26th, got up to lone pine lake to test it out, lone pine has about a foot of snow. Im not ready for that assuming the higher I go the worst it gets. I didnt bring my spikes. I would like to go on a backpacking trip on October 29th. Had a two day permit but elected to summit on Oct 24th to beat the storm.
Microspikes and poles are highly recommended. The ridge line was extremely windy with freezing rain and sleet. Made it very sketchy to pass. Made it to the summit with whiteout conditions around with a start time.
Peaks are snow covered now. Highly recommend multiple layers and plenty of water. Took us about 18 hours with all the delays due to windy conditions and sketchy traverses of the ridge line.
Hi All. I'm hoping to summit the week of November 1. Any information regarding snow or ice conditions is appreciated. Mt Whitney is very challenging. We summited Sunday Oct 17 and it was really cold, and windy. Minor dusting of snow on switchbacks but a few sketchy icy spots. Peak was glorious.
We missed some predicted water refills because of ice but all in all an epic journey. Recommend carrying microspikes, poles a must, many layers, and ample water. Enjoy and be safe. This trail is deceptive because in a sense it is very easy and in a sense it is the most challenging I have done.
It is just very very long and high. Bring the right gear and take your time. Written By: Jenna Becker. Adventure Travel. Updated On: June 8, Existing as the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney is located in California and stands at a whopping 14, feet meters tall.
Featuring a Although gruelling, the experience is highly rewarding and the summit views are nothing short of spectacular. With vaccines rolling out and people itching to get outside, we are excited to have Jenna of UpAndAwayMagazine share her expertise and tips for hiking Mount Whitney.
Hikers can choose to climb Mount Whitney in a single day or as a multi-day backpacking adventure. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A day hike requires an early start with hikers often choosing to set off around midnight , and much of the trail is hiked under the glow of head lamps or a full moon.
As such, day hikers miss a lot of beautiful scenery. Day hikes also demand a quicker pace and quicker ascension to high altitude, meaning that hikers are more likely to be forced to turn back due to altitude sickness or simply running out of time. Alternatively, a multi-night climb allows one to ascend slowly and spend more time taking in the scenery — which is unparalleled.
It also reduces the risk of altitude sickness. The obvious downside to a multi-day climb is that it requires one to carry a heavy backpack equipped with camping gear and sufficient food. The Mount Whitney Trail is well maintained and does not require any technical mountaineering experience during the late Summer and early Fall seasons. However, between late October and early July depending on snowpack in a given year , portions of the trail are often covered in snow and ice.
When snow and ice are involved, it is important to be equipped with an ice axe and crampons or micro-spikes, and also know how to properly use them. Hikers should also be experienced in route finding and aware of the potential dangers of snow bridges. A Wilderness Permit is required year-round for all day hiking and backpacking occurring in the Mount Whitney Zone.
However, during the Winter and early Spring season which falls between November 2 nd and April 30 th each year , no quota is enforced and climbers may collect their permits directly from the visitor center upon arrival in Lone Pine. Still, be forewarned that Eastern Sierra winters are not meant for those without sufficient winter backcountry experience.
But lower air pressure at high altitude makes it feel like there is a lower percentage of oxygen. On the summit of Mt Whitney, your effective oxygen percentage is not Think of it as exercising with one nostril plugged. As mentioned earlier, being fit will be a big help when hiking Whitney. So you can do more with each breath you take. And lay off the alcohol until after the hike.
To increase your chances of dealing with altitude effectively, you should plan to acclimatize. Acclimatization is simply the process of getting your body used to extracting the oxygen from the lower air pressure.
In an ideal world, you would spend 1 week acclimatizing for every feet of difference in altitude. AMS can strike anytime, regardless of your perpetration. Which brings us to our next point…. To put it bluntly, altitude sickness AMS can kill you. When hikers do that, they not only put their own lives in danger, but also endanger any other hiker or ranger who would potentially have to be involved in a rescue.
Not smart; not worth it. The first time that I climbed Mt Whitney, we were approached by a guy whose girlfriend was having major issues in their tent. We checked it out, and she was suffering from late-stage AMS, with bloody diarrhea and other severe symptoms. A helicopter had landed nearby to evacuate someone else suffering a heart attack. We carried her the quarter-mile, and as we got to the chopper, the boyfriend keeled over with no pulse.
The rescue crew squeezed both of them onto the helicopter, and off they went. I have no idea what happened to them. If you have about 24 minutes, watch this video on a failed attempt to summit Kilimanjaro because of altitude. It will give you an idea of what can happen, even if you are an experienced hiker. How do you know if you have AMS?
The symptoms are usually subtle to start, and progress in intensity as you climb. They include headache, nausea, lack of appetite, swelling, diarrhea, and lightheadedness.
AMS can progress to swelling of the brain or fluid in the lungs, both acute, life threatening conditions. If you start getting symptoms of AMS, stop climbing, take a break, and see if they subside. Mild symptoms can be manageable, but if they intensify, you must descend immediately. Some folks also have luck with a medication called Diamox. If you want to go that route, see you doctor and have them prescribe it for you.
Another option is simple Ibuprofen. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate with you on your hike to the summit. If the weather is bad, you need to play it safe and do the hike another day. Winter storms can still hit on the fringes of the summer season. If the weather is okay, you still run the risk of a pop-up thunderstorm and lightning on the summit.
These storms generally bubble up after noon. To avoid thunderstorms, most hikers leave in the early hours of the morning. That should get you on and off the summit before noon, unless your pace is very slow.
The only downside is that there will be a lot of folks hiking at the same time. You can try and leave a little earlier to avoid the big rush. Alternatively, if the chance of rain is low to none, and you have the daylight, you can leave at dawn and maximize your daylight hiking time. Of course, you run the risk of having the weather turn, which would stop your summit attempt. As you climb towards the summit, always keep your eye to the sky.
Building clouds are not a good sign. If it looks bad there, that weather will probably be bad at Mt Whitney shortly. There have been some much publicized deaths on the summit from lightning, including the death of a hiker in the stone hut at the summit.
The best way to avoid getting struck is to turn around the second you hear thunder. To throw a wrench into this whole lightening issue, military jets often fly by the summit. If you only hike in fair weather and a touchscreen is fine, or just want a solid tool, I highly recommend downloading the smartphone app, Gaia GPS. You can also check for wildfires, weather, snow, and choose from dozens of map types with a premium membership HikingGuy readers get a big discount here.
Note that I also carry a paper map with me in case the phone dies or gets smashed. I depend on your support to keep this website going and free of annoying ads, promoted posts, and sponsorships. Every contribution, big or small, is my lifeline to keep this website going. Thank you! More Ways to Support for Free! It helps to break the hike into sections, both for navigation and mental consumption. Just focus on the current section and the next landmark, it will help mentally break the hike up into digestible chunks.
What exactly is a Wilderness Area? After the summit, head back the way you came. You still have 11 miles of hiking, and you should still be trying to eat and hydrate.
People have died descending in the dark. How about Cactus to Clouds? Or Half Dome? This guide last updated on October 9, Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide. Have an idea on how to make these guides better?
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