Whitney Trip Report

“Well, I managed to get a permit to do the main trail up Whitney on June 13 - 15. So, on the 12th, my friend and I drove up 108 to 395 since 120 was still not open. It did not take too long and we were soon sleeping in the bed of my pick-up in the parking lot at the trail head.

Monday - 7:00 am departure from the parking lot. We followed the main trail until we were at the turn off for Outpost Camp right above Lone Pine Lake. Wow, there was so much snow that we just followed everyone else’s tracks up and over. We were actually opposite from Outpost camp as we traversed across the snow. It was very scary for me as it was my first time using crampons. It seemed to take forever and the snow was seriously baking me. We were almost at Consultation Lake when my brain said ‘no more’! The snow was so intense with the sun I felt like I was in the oven. After taking a brief rest we moved on. Thankfully we had less than a mile to go and we made it to Trail Camp at 1:15pm. We got one of the best sites there and watched as people began coming down the chute from Trail Crest. We were surprised to still see people glissading down at 7:30pm. It began snowing/hailing(?) lightly so we went to bed about 8:00. It was interesting to hear the other people coming into camp complaining of symptoms of Altitude sickness.

Tuesday – 5:00am departure from Trail Camp. The snow going up the chute was in perfect condition and as we looked down into camp there were no other soles moving around. One guy did follow our tracks as he didn’t have crampons or an ice axe which was a little dicey as I thought they were necessary. But then, being a newbie to the whole mountaineering thing, maybe they were not. It took two hours to get from Trail Camp to Trail Crest and the views on the other side were amazing. As we were walking along the trail there were patches of ice and snow but we were able to walk without crampons and only occasionally needed the ice axe. The trek over to the summit seemed interminable as it never seemed to get closer. My partner was starting to show symptoms of AMS but he pushed on. I was surprised that we passed no other individuals the whole morning. We reached the summit of Whitney at 9:50am and we shared it only with the guy who followed us with no crampons. While I ran around and took pictures, my partner lay on the ground suffering. Eventually we headed back down and his headache began to decrease. We passed people coming down who did not leave camp until 8:00am and they were already looking beat. We figured they would probably be the ones glissading late. We arrived at Trail Crest were I thought I would cry at the thought of sliding down that steep hill. My partner showed me how to use my axe as a break and down we went. All I can say is that had to be the most exhilarating experience of my life. The snow conditions were perfect and it was just like going down a water slide. Two hours to climb and ten minutes to slide down. My partner took a brief nap and then we packed up to hike down to Lone Pine Lake where we spent the night.

Wednesday – 6:00 departure from Lone Pine Lake to Whitney Portal where I took a shower and bought my ‘I Climbed Whitney’ t-shirt. After that we drove to Bishop and ate like pigs at Denny’s.

Anyway, probably not the most interesting trip report – but at least I made it to the top and didn’t hurt myself or anyone else. I must admit that I was scared of the altitude and ice/crampons/axe/falling opportunities. I will post pictures on Webshots as soon as possible.”

“thanks for sharing your trip report, can't wait to see the pics.”

“How did the snow / trail look coming up the westside (from Guitar Lk)?”

“Nice report Sandyann and congrats on making that type of trip to the top.”

“Great report. And CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

I and Gemini were there at Whitney Portal on the 10th. We were at Joshua Tree while you were climbing. (I'm jealous)

What an accomplishment. I'm sure you will remember it for your lifetime!”

“Thanks for the report!

I get a lot of customers gearing coming in planning on whitney and this allows me to tell them info they NEED to know.. on was even expecting the switchbacks to be there.”

“Enjoyed your great report.”

“No switchbacks yet....at one point we were able to look over at what appeared to be cables of some sort in the switchback area? Not sure, I only know that out of Trail Camp there was no trail except straight up the side of a mountain. I was scared and tried not to look down to often as I was afraid if I did my body would follow my eyes. :o(”

“Navi - I am guessing that guitar lake is the one that you look down on as you come up to trail crest? If so, it was completely frozen - I have pictures - but when we were coming back down it appeared as though the edges were melting as there was a beautiful turquoise rim around the edges. I also have pictures of Iceberg (?) from the summit. I got as close to the edge as possible and stuck my camera out. My partner was somewhat jealous of my 'natural gift' with the altitude thing. I told him it wasn't a gift, just luck, but when I went to Everest I didn't have any problems there I either. Hmmmmmm”

“Thanks. I'll look forward to your photos. I'm hoping the Sierrapalooza people will have a trail up the westside.

Wasn't it great standing there ON TOP? What a rush ehe?
I still wear my t-shirt proudly.”

“oooooo, tell us about Everest!”

“I was so pumped by the time we reached the top and my friend was so tired all he wanted to do was nap. I only managed to get one picture of me on the top but I got lots of the view. One thing I didn't do was check out the view from the loo. I did sign the register - first one of the day!

What can I say about Everest! Too much for this board. You are welcome to check out my photos of Nepal on Webshots - User Name 'ducsan'. I haven't figured out how to post pictures straight into the board yet.”

“Cool. I will do that. Thanks!”

“I'm jealous”

“Wow! I've checked out your webshots briefly. You've been to some places, haven't you? More than most of the rest of us.

Did you summit Everest? I saw the picture that said 300 vertical feet from the summit. That is amazing!”

“Sorry - 300 vertical feet from the summit of Kala Pattar. Kala Pattar is a should off of Pumori which is directly across from Everest. Didn't mean to sound like it was Everest - I wish but I don't think I would make that one.”

“gonna be on whitney the latter part of august. cant wait!”

“Your trip down the "99 switchbacks" sounds better than when the snow is gone. But the trip up through snow sounds like a lot of work!”

“Thanks, Sandyann, dang SnowDancer..... I've been following the Whitney Portal board pretty closely, and it looked like there was less snow than you saw. I'll just bet you made it snow. The High Sierra Trip will be coming over Trail Crest on July 8th. Could you possibly do a melt dance?”

“Wannabp - That is funny. It actually did snow while we were there. No, I tried not to dance. I posted my photo's on webshots so you can see the snow for yourself!”

“http://community.webshots.com/album/375053600PHYfTx

Here are the photos”

“Great pictures sandyann!”

“Nice job!!! Glad you made it to the top. Sounds like you had a great trip!”

“Awesome pictures Sandyann! Great trip report. You took quite a bit of "looking down" pictures! I liked the two marmots snuggling on the rock! I'll be doing the same hike next month with less snow so this was fun to see. Drop me a line and let's plan a trip.. We must be ready to get caught up...”

“great pictures! Hope we get to climb it in july.”

“Good Luck to all of you on your trips up the mountain. You will probably end up doing the switchbacks with the rate that the snow is melting. Next year, we will go again but I have agreed to try the mountaineers route. We'll have te decide that based on next years weather I guess.

Ladyhiker - it weould be great to catch up. Let me know when you are hiking in the area and we can get together.”

“I like your pictures, especially the red snow. Hope you're right about the melt.”

“Great pictures too!

Some folks do have a "gift" with altitude, you are one of the lucky ones.

Shasta's still here....still avalanche prone too, but she will stabilize soon.”

“Steve - I know that Shasta is still there but now I must admit that Shasta is somewhat intimidating to me. I am not sure why - maybe because it creates it own weather? Anyway, I want to climb Shasta and I was asked to go in July but that is my family vacation time.

It will probably have to wait until next year unless I can get someone to do a quick week-end run up with me. I have a one week trip planned with some friends in August for the Mono Pass area. I am seriously pushing my luck with my husband this year with all of the trips I have been on.


Unless you know of a week-end that you would be available to join? :o)

Wannabp - funny comment about the snow dancing. I couldn't believe as I sat there with the little snow/ice balls getting my pants damp. Another adventure visiting upon by wet white stuff.....who woulda figured it?”

“During that time, I ws in WA where the weather forecast was for daily rain, but it was sunny. Jerry said it poured in Sonoma County where it never rains in June. Yep, go figure.”

“Congratulations! I like the way it goes from green to white. Nice pics, Love the Lone Pine Lake sunrise!”

“Nice trip report sandyann and great shots! I'll be there next month!”

“Thanks to all for the positve comments on the pictures - I did not think they there that good but at least I wil always be able to go back an remember how stunning it is in that area.

Good Luck to all in the coming weeks who are going to be there. I am actually happy I went while it was not too hot on the trail.”

“Sandyann..I enjoyed reading your trip report..thank you posting it!
Beautiful pictures...The Red snow one is beautiful.

Also loved looking at your pictures of Nepal..how very lucky you were to be there..I bet that was pretty neat! My friend last year went to Nepal...a lot of the same areas you were at...she climbed Island peak while there..was absolutely thrilled she made it to the summit. I just recently saw all her pictures.
Thank you again!”

“looks really rough still on Whitney, for any of you left coasters headed that way...

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20779

trip report describing lots of very hard ice beyond the "Notch".”

“I was in the Hoover Wilderness which is on the east side of the Sierras above Bridgeport 4th of July week-end. Ton's of Ice and Snow.

Snow was still below the 9000ft level.”

“we're pretty much melted out in CO - a few high couloirs still holding enough snow to climb on - going to check some of that out tomorrow in fact.

:)”

“If I ever get out that way, I'm going to have to learn a bunch of new words:)”

“It's all relative to your experience. I hike/climb in the Whitney area often (and will be back up there next week) and the conditions are actually better than last year.

For those interested in what the area looks like, here's a picture of the pertinent peaks.”