Distance

no info yet

Elevation

no info yet

Vertical

no info yet

Time

5 hr 20 min to summit

My mountain-climbing tour was winding down and I wanted to finish it with a bang. I was planning on day-hiking Olancha Peak, but on a lark I dropped into the Ranger Station outside Lone Pine to see if there were any Whitney permits left. It was Memorial Day, so surely there wouldn't be any...wait, what's that? There are over 30 no-show permits available? Did I want one? Uhh...I guess I'm snow-climbing Whitney tomorrow!

I started at the portal at 3:05a. I was pretty well acclimatized and made good progress up the Main Trail, arriving at Trail Camp just in time for the sunrise. At that time, a number of hikers were emerging from their tents and gearing up with traction and ice axes to climb the chute up to Trail Crest. (The 99 switchbacks were snow-covered and unusable). It seemed that most were grunting their way single-file up a deep, frozen glissade track that had developed over the past few days. I joined them for a short while, but eventually left the frozen herd path for the beautiful untouched snow to the sides. I made a diagonal ascent, drawing elegant zigzags in the snow that I later admired from above. There was about 3" of fresh powder on top of the consolidated stuff and I found that kicking steps with crampons gave good security.

Despite it's gentle grade, the remaining 1.9 miles to the summit was grueling as usual, but I topped out in a decent time and enjoyed a long rest on the clear, but cold summit. I gave Mt. Muir a look, climbing up to the cl. 3 section, but the holds and ledges were pretty well buried in snow so I backed off.

It was a long way down back to the portal, a quick burger, and a long drive back to sea level where I finally have to face the realities of looking for a job.

BTW, if anyone on Peakery wants to go play in the snow, I have some time on my hands...

Route name

Mount Whitney Trail

out-and-back
Obstacles

snow on route

Key gear

ice axe, crampons