I had climbed White Mtn Peak two days before so I figured the altitude would be no problem and this turned out to be right. I opted for an early morning start just before 3 a.m. and donned my headlamp for the first few miles taking it off near trail camp.
I had perfect weather and actually enjoyed the whole trail, particularly the 99 switchbacks that are an impressive engineering feat when you think about them. Met a couple great guys from Kentucky on the switchbacks and we stuck together for the rest of the hike up. It turned out to be a very social trail as everyone is very friendly and are seemingly from every state and many foreign countries. The only thing lacking at the summit was a McD's. The summit was covered with hikers and one guy had parked his behind on the Benchmark which irritated a few who had to ask him to move over a bit as they preferred seeing only the Benchmark in their photos. Still, it was a perfect day and a perfect hike.
Route Climbed: Main trail Date Climbed: July 30, 2005
Good weather! There was very little snow on the trail and crampons are not needed. Early start 2:30am and ended at 3:30pm. Long hike with awesome views. Even with a couple days of acclimating still had a little altitude sickness. Wife had first siezure ever due to altitude (fun fun fun!). Great trip! ;)
Great hike - there was a ton of snow on the route (think it was late April) and I remember postholing and swearing mightily while my 150-pound partner frolicked atop the crust of snow. Long day, too... think when i do this one again I'll make it two days and take it easier!
Route Climbed: Mountaineers Route Date Climbed: July 25, 2005
Great trip. Still plenty of snow in chute and at Iceberg Lake. Streams are still running strong which made for some interesting crossings and hailed on 2 afternoons in a row. Awesome trip overall.
Route Climbed: East Face Date Climbed: July 2, 2005
Camped at Upper Boy Scout Lake. Route took longer than we expected. Rapped down mountaineers route. Nighted at Iceberg Lake and made an "unexpected " bivy. Super fun! Going back to do East Buttress soon.
Route Climbed: Mountaineer's Route Date Climbed: June 27, 2005
We hiked up to Upper Boyscout Lake the first day and the rest of the way the next day. The final chute had quite a bit of ice at the beginning, but was not difficult to navigate around. Higher up, the snow was very icy so we chose to scrable up the rocks. This was a really fun climb. I hope to return some day to climb the east face.
thomascanty - Aug 12, 2005 7:37 pm
Route Climbed: Whitney Trail Date Climbed: August 11, 2005My second time to the top, and the third 14'er in a month. Dark clouds were building fast, so I didn't stay long at the summit.
KHJR - Aug 6, 2005 10:39 pm
Route Climbed: Started at the Portal Date Climbed: 8.1.0519 boys from Tn, Ms, Alabama made summit on 8.1.05. had a long but good day. Make sure you spend a couple of days getting acclimated. Pack light!
Gonzo - Aug 4, 2005 11:30 pm
Route Climbed: whitney trail Date Climbed: July 28, 2005quick hike great day great friends and hail hurts really bad
DeeDee - Aug 4, 2005 6:59 pm
Route Climbed: East Face Date Climbed: July 25, 2004Day climb. I liked it better than the East Butt.
DeeDee - Aug 4, 2005 6:57 pm
Route Climbed: East Buttress Date Climbed: July, 1997Difficult route finding.
Dean - Aug 4, 2005 8:44 am
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2005I had climbed White Mtn Peak two days before so I figured the altitude would be no problem and this turned out to be right. I opted for an early morning start just before 3 a.m. and donned my headlamp for the first few miles taking it off near trail camp.
I had perfect weather and actually enjoyed the whole trail, particularly the 99 switchbacks that are an impressive engineering feat when you think about them. Met a couple great guys from Kentucky on the switchbacks and we stuck together for the rest of the hike up. It turned out to be a very social trail as everyone is very friendly and are seemingly from every state and many foreign countries. The only thing lacking at the summit was a McD's. The summit was covered with hikers and one guy had parked his behind on the Benchmark which irritated a few who had to ask him to move over a bit as they preferred seeing only the Benchmark in their photos. Still, it was a perfect day and a perfect hike.
jefflach - Aug 2, 2005 5:54 pm
Route Climbed: Mountaineers Route Date Climbed: July 31st, 2005Beautiful climb. There's still plenty of snow in the chute, ice-axe recommended. Hailed and rained all night. Look out for the marmots!!
bennovak - Aug 1, 2005 7:53 pm
Route Climbed: Whitnet Trail Date Climbed: July 31 2005Went with some good friends on this second trip up the mountain. CTC in 10 hrs with a nice detour up Mt Muir too.
Climbing Webers - Jul 31, 2005 8:52 pm
Route Climbed: Main trail Date Climbed: July 30, 2005Good weather! There was very little snow on the trail and crampons are not needed. Early start 2:30am and ended at 3:30pm. Long hike with awesome views. Even with a couple days of acclimating still had a little altitude sickness. Wife had first siezure ever due to altitude (fun fun fun!). Great trip! ;)
easleygone - Jul 30, 2005 4:39 pm
Route Climbed: Whitney Trail Date Climbed: August 1990?My oldest son's first & only "big" climb with me. We
camped in the designated boulder field halfway up
and as we summitted the next day, he developed a
heavy dose of extreme altitude sickness. I got him
down and back to Oklahoma where he when on to
law school and never climbed with me again. At
least he didn't sue me.
Andinistaloco - Jul 28, 2005 2:51 am
Route Climbed: normal, mostly Date Climbed: 1995?Great hike - there was a ton of snow on the route (think it was late April) and I remember postholing and swearing mightily while my 150-pound partner frolicked atop the crust of snow. Long day, too... think when i do this one again I'll make it two days and take it easier!
citadel07 - Jul 27, 2005 4:30 pm
Route Climbed: Mountaineers Route Date Climbed: July 25, 2005Great trip. Still plenty of snow in chute and at Iceberg Lake. Streams are still running strong which made for some interesting crossings and hailed on 2 afternoons in a row. Awesome trip overall.
tonyo - Jul 24, 2005 10:27 am
Route Climbed: main trail Date Climbed: July 23, 2005Day hiked with my son, who made it to the summit in 4:25. Needless to say, I took a bit longer. Ok, maybe a lot longer. 3rd 14er.
SusanM - Jul 23, 2005 11:29 pm
Route Climbed: Main Trail Date Climbed: July 17, 2005Glissaded from Trail Crest down to Trail Camp. Big Fun! I can't wait to try the Mountaineering Route.
rockcairn - Jul 14, 2005 7:13 pm
Route Climbed: Mount Whitney Trail Date Climbed: July 12, 2005There are still a few snow crossings, but no problem getting by the cable railing on the swtichbacks above trail camp.
Cody - Jul 11, 2005 2:48 pm
Route Climbed: Mountaineers Route Date Climbed: April 30 2005Via Mountaineers Route. My first summit on Whitney.
mtldrinstr - Jul 10, 2005 7:45 pm
Route Climbed: Whitney Trail Date Climbed: July 1995Beautiful trip, can't wait to do it again.
ajdonner - Jul 8, 2005 11:25 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from west side (via High Sierra Trail-Crescent Meadow) Date Climbed: Summer 2001Awesome eight days with my father and brother-in-law.
oaklander - Jul 6, 2005 8:07 pm
Route Climbed: East Face Date Climbed: July 2, 2005Camped at Upper Boy Scout Lake. Route took longer than we expected. Rapped down mountaineers route. Nighted at Iceberg Lake and made an "unexpected " bivy. Super fun! Going back to do East Buttress soon.
jtostenr - Jul 5, 2005 3:39 am
Route Climbed: Mountaineer's Route Date Climbed: June 27, 2005We hiked up to Upper Boyscout Lake the first day and the rest of the way the next day. The final chute had quite a bit of ice at the beginning, but was not difficult to navigate around. Higher up, the snow was very icy so we chose to scrable up the rocks. This was a really fun climb. I hope to return some day to climb the east face.