Hike Mount Whitney

[GB1]

A number of us talked last year about hiking Mt Whitney in California in 2010. The way it works is you enter a lottery for tickets during prime hiking periods, which are during the summer months since snow and ice (and extreme cold) hinder everyone except extreme hikers. The prime dates are usually between ~ mid June to late Sept. The US forest service will be selecting lottery applicants on Feb 16. There are both one day and two (and possibly more) day passes.

Now's the time to start seriously considering the climb. I've seen photos from the mountain and they're spectacular. I've heard from multiple sources that a single day hike, though possible and done all the time by committed hikers, isn't ideal for photographers (I've actually heard it being compared to a 'forced march'). We like to stop and compose which takes time, and this probably means a 2-day overnight backpacking trip.

Here are some links:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreat...twhitney.shtml

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreat...ml#needlottery

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreat...rmitsres.shtml


Who's interested?

Requirements: one certainly needs to be in shape, have the right equipment (buy borrow or rent), and have the time to commit to it. Because altitude sickness is a valid concern, people often get there a day or two ahead of time and camp out at the portal to start acclimating to the altitude. There's plenty of time to do smaller training hikes and climbs by the way.

-GB

[JoshD]

Wow, I didnt even realize you needed to be in a lottery and have a pass to hike there. Interesting.

[Photo-John]

I'm definitely interested. This is something I've been wanting to do for years. Fitting it into the schedule is the hard part. But if I keep putting it off, it may never happen. It's also a really cool way to do a PhotographyREVIEW.com Gathering. Imagine the great content that could come out of this! Good product testing trip, too!

[GB1]

John - Sound good. We still have a little time to get our application in for the lottery: let's see how many PRers are game!

I think a lot of folks don't think this far ahead when they do stuff, but since the lottery is well before the actual hike, we will need to in this situation. I was up at the portal last Sept when cruising the area .. Pretty neat place.

G

[Kokopeli]

Although I've lost over 90 pounds since last April, I'm no where near in good enough shape (yet) for the hike, but I'd love to meet y'all up there and have us a gathering!

[Dylan8i]

its something i'd love to do, (and have all the equipment for and can meet the physical demands) however, Like PJ, fitting it in the schedule (and budget) is the major concern. maybe if i get a job in cali or surrounding states for the summer, but i may not know that until much later.

[GB1]

So, anyone in addition to PJ interested? The deadline for the lottery is fast approaching (the application must be received by Feb 15).

-GB

[Photo-John]

So, anyone in addition to PJ interested? The deadline for the lottery is fast approaching (the application must be received by Feb 15).

I'm interested but I don't think I can make the commitment this year. I think we should start planning for next year, keep talking about it and make it happen in 2011. It seems we have some interest but I think most of us need more time to plan for this. Maybe if we do it next year, we can make a big event of it. I think it would be super cool to make a PhotographyREVIEW.com trip up the tallest mountain in the Continental US!

[NoKnees]

Glad I dropped by tonight, almost missed this one.

I'd love to join in on a trip down/up there. I hiked White Mountain, right across the valley there last summer while between jobs. It's a relatively easy day hike, and a good "tune up" to Mt Whitney as it's about 14200ft, only a few hundred feet lower than Mt Whitney, but a mellower hike. Anyway, I picked up a new job before I had a chance to get back down to hike Mt Whitney. The Bristlecone Pine forest there is a nice place to visit for some cool photography opportunities as well.

Anyway, I'd be game. It's on my life list, so I'll be sure to make time for if nothing drastic comes up...

- Greg

[GB1]

Glad you saw this Greg. We have a few more days to discuss. John, do you think ~ 6 months isn't enough advance notice? I really have no problem waiting until 2011, just wonder if the life things (which we all have!) won't prevent everyone from going then too. I know I have a habit of putting things off, forever .. (ha ha .. esp things that aren't fun).

One thing to note is that you don't necessarily get the dates you want. I think the application says that you provide a number of dates you're interested in. If one's filled, they look at the next, etc. So it appears climbing Whitney - a very popular climb - requires some flexibility............

G

[Canuck935]

I'm already entering the lottery with a group of my friends.

We did Whitney in a single day back in 2007. That was brutal. We started too late, didn't summit till sunset, and didn't get back to camp until the wee hours of the morning when the next days hikers were hitting the trail. We were on the trail for 20+ hours. It was worth it.

This time we're aiming for either labor day weekend or 2nd to last weekend of August. We're going for a longer trip, 3 or 4 nights. We may go through Meysan lake, over to Sky Blue lake, then up to Whitney, or we'll go up the Mountaineer's route, over the saddle between Whitney and Russel, down to Guitar Lake, then up JMT to the summit.

If we get a PR group going, I'll probably be interested in that too. It would be really awesome to give it a go twice in a year.

[speedracer 36]

I would love to go in 2011, I just know from previous backpacking trips that being in shape is one of the most important things. If we were to go in 2010 I dont think I would make it, Also is there an approximate cost?

[GB1]

Canuck, I have heard that the one day is a forced march. Doing it for fun is one thing but I doubt it will work for photography... We photogs need to stop a lot and compose!

Ok, re-reading this thread, it doesn't really sound like people are ready in 2010. I am OK with trying to do it in 2011, but since we have to put the application this time next year, I can't help but wonder if the potential hikers will be ready to commit then?

I think if we're really serious is wanting to climb Mt Whitney in 2011 that we have to start planning now.

Can everyone give the following info, or at least start thinking about it:

- Approximate dates and fall back dates that they you will be able to go.

- What your training plan is. What mini hikes, backpacking trips, etc you plan on doing to get into shape for it.

- Really have to ask, can you afford to do the trip? I believe the cost of the permits is negligible compared to the cost of the plane flight (if you're flying) and travel to Lone Pine, which is about 5-6 hrs from LAX, and possible equipment costs.

- Do you have the time to commit? Including travel, I would imagine it is almost a week. 2-day hike, possible 2 days getting here and back, 1-2 day acclimation period at Whitney portal. You could possibly skip the acclimation if you're a highlander and since we're taking 2 days instead of 1, but its still advisable to spend at least one letting your body get used to that altitude.

- Do you have any medical issues that may impact your ability to do the hike. Altitude sickness I would not worry about: Note that docs can prescribe pills for that though there's some debate on whether they really work or just mask symptoms. I took some on Kilimanjaro the last two 2 days of the climb and had absolutely no problems with the altitude, but I do a lot of long distance running as did most of the team I was on. But other medical issues must be considered. The trick is, build up with easy and moderate hikes beforehand to see how you do.

Am I forgetting anything major? Things like learning what boots work for you and don't give you blisters etc are very important, and must be determined by you in your training hikes. Veteran hikers like Canuck can provide some pointers I am sure.

I have seen some INCREDIBLE photos of Whitney by people with point and shoot cameras, so I'm sure we can get some shots. It's also the experience, and there's a lot to do in the area - Mammoth lakes, Mono Lake, famous movie making areas - in case someone wants to make a longer vacation out of it.

Think about it a bit... I personally have never back packed so I have a little training to do myself.

GB

[Photo-John]

This is a great post! I think it's just what we need to make this happen. I am not prepared to do it this year, nor am I in a position to be that flexible about the dates. But if we start planning now for 2011 and we keep bringing it up, I think we can do it. I agree about not rushing, too. I wouldn't bother if I couldn't take pictures. So we need to pad this so we can hike comfortably and get the photos I know we all want.

[NoKnees]

Sounds like 2011 then... Definitely worth the wait.... I may still try to sneak in for a killer day hike this year just to do it, but I too would like a more leisurely, photo-friendly 2+ day option with like minded people...

We'll keep in touch!

[GB1]

Greg, I may do the White Mtn hike as a warm up this late spring/summer. I've heard good things about that mtn. I've done San Jacinto near Palm Springs and was a bit surprised how I felt the altitude even though it was only 10,900 (it got a little surreal about ~ 10,000). Maybe it would pay to camp out at the Whitney portal the night before and then get up early and drive to White Mtn and hike? Might be a long drive though, even if the two seem to be close.

[NoKnees]

GB, there are some pretty sparsely populated (and cheap) car camping spots closer to the trail head, at around 8-9k feet, a great altitude to help acclimatize at. The drive to the trailhead is long and slow, a large portion being dirt road. It's a good idea to get as close to it the night before as you can. Additionally, there's a great place to do some photography right there at the Bristlecone Pine forest there. >4000 year old pine trees, oldest living things... A definite "must see" if you are in the area...

I drove up from sea level (San Fran Bay area) and spent the night there. Spent the next day hiking around and taking photographs of the couple larger Pine Groves (scattered between 10k and almost 12k ft) logging about around 6+ leisurely miles on the trails. Spent the night back down at camp. Ate well, slept well, and headed up around sunrise. It's the easiest 14+ mile hike at 12-14k feet you'll ever make.. ;)

Inyo National Forest info

[Photo-John]

White Mountain is on my list, too. But on a mountain bike

[GB1]

Looks like a freakin' NICE PLACE there Greg! No wonder my Sierra Club buddies head out there every now and then. Looks like an excellent warm up for Whitney, both this year and next beforehand.

[NoKnees]

Hey P-J,

When I hiked it I caught up to and passed a guy who had that plan... But that was just on the way up.. The way up looked like quite a bit of work, and he ended up pushing his bike up a pretty good part of it. He actually left it about a 1/2 mile from the summit against a snowbank that was blocking the road. No great loss, because that last 1/2 mile is pretty gnarly, just scree and boulders that are kinda sort flattened in spots for a 4x4 access road. Later in the season you'll have the best chance, and they will have re-groomed that last part of the road...

Anyway, on the way out, he definitely left me far, far in the dust, wishing I had some wheels..... Just not sure it would have been worth the slog up. Nice feather to have in the cap at least...

[Photo-John]

I know people who have ridden it. From what I hear, it's best on a pure downhill bike and pushing up is the only option. But then you get to really rail the downhill. There actually used to be a race there. I can't remember all the details. But I think racers pedaled up and then road down. That was a long time ago. I think it was before suspension.