I came to Whitney after solo thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. I went over Shepherd Pass (tough hike, great views of Williamson and Tyndall) and joined the JMT. Rolled out of camp at Guitar Lake before sunrise and was the first to summit that day.
Awesome trip, great weather. I hiked out to Whitney Portal as I arranged a shuttle with a retired Forest Service guy.
Hyadventure - Feb 15, 2007 7:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 1996
Main Trail Dayhike 1996
My first ascent of anything. Wanted to achieve something before I turned 40. Made all the rookie mistakes but I still summited. Since then I've been back for four more successful summits. I did my first alpine climb on the east buttress and lead the east face.
highice - Jan 30, 2007 6:20 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2000
try again in spring
did the mtneers route instead of E. face, the snow on the east face was too unstable on the slabs. nice ice traverse above the couloir. I'd recommend going straight up the left wall instead of traversing around it forever...more esthetic that way, if you like ice climbing.
highice - Jan 30, 2007 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Feb 17, 1993
winter
tried the east face but hit with a big storm. my buddy didn't want to be there anymore so we bailed. what a whimp!
renogurt - Jan 25, 2007 6:10 am Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2004
Mountaineer's Route
Went up this route a few years back with 2 friends. What an awesome route! Got caught in a whiteout right under the summit, what a relief to get back to camp. A definite must do for anyone who likes mountaineering.
Anya Jingle - Jan 13, 2007 8:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2006
weeds19 - Jan 13, 2007 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2002
A long day
I took the last flight of the day from ABQ to LAX. I rented a car at the airport and drove to Whitney Portal just in time to start the hike. After using the facility on top I headed down and took a short nap at trail camp before returning to my rental car and driving back to LAX for the flight home.
LC - Jan 12, 2007 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2006
Main Route
Easier than I thought. I'll try the mountaineers route next.
tb00957 - Jan 11, 2007 11:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
east face
Did it again. This time up East face, car to car in one day. Exhausted but happy.
MtnAv8r - Jan 6, 2007 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 1999
Nothing but tears
Climbing partner took on a case of AMS just below Muir. He turned back to the window. I summited. Don't know why, but as soon as I hit the top, the tears just came. Signed the logbook and put comment "Nothing but tears". Beautiful fall day. Clear, sunny, cool, and a slight breeze.
Like2Hike - Jan 5, 2007 5:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2004
1ST 14ER
Via the Mountaineers Route.1st 14er and 1st hiking trip out west.
yaknjorgl - Jan 2, 2007 6:44 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2001
mountaineers route
im unsure about the dates its been a while. I went with some old drunk guy and his flat-lander friend. Much better than slogging the trail during the summer, ebersbacher ledges were not as hairball as advertised.
I got Warren Harding to sign my route book next to the description of the his route.
eferesen - Dec 29, 2006 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2006
Mount Whitney Trail
Excellent weather. It took 12 hrs and 59 minutes. I had the worst headache starting from swtichbacks to the summit. Took me 5 hr to reach the summit (from the 97 switchbacks). I was crawling. But it was worthwile. It taught me respect for nature.
slogger - Dec 19, 2006 12:07 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2005
Whiteny Trail in Winter
I didn't get too high on this one. The weather was poor, and I wasn't feeling too fit. I didn't need snowshoes, crampons worked perfectly at that time. If you know what you're doing, Winter is definitely a good time to climb Whitney. I really enjoyed a wilderness experience on the mountain that not everyone gets. I'll definitely be back!
tpdwr - Dec 18, 2006 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 1993
On the trail!
Overnight with Keeler needle and Mt. Muir.
ahaass - Dec 7, 2006 4:58 am Date Climbed: Dec 4, 2006
ahaass
Mt Whitney winter summit
Trail conditions on the main route are excellent. No snowshoes required. Summitted without strapping on crampons, but probably should have! Crampons (and axe, of course) required from trailcrest to middle of the switchbacks on the way down. Photoson the Mt Whitney main page show the trail starting to fill in with packed snow which freezes. Above trailcrest the trail is 25% covered and half of that is solid ice. See photos of trail conditions on Mt Whitney main page dated Dec 6th. Camped at Trail Side camp @12,000', 15 degrees overnight. 15.5 hrs total hiking.
danman3156 - Dec 5, 2006 6:44 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2006
East Butress
What an awesome climb! It was very hot the day that we chose to climb and we apparently did not bring enough water as we were very dehydrated by the time we reached the summit. Splitting headaches.
MickP321 - Dec 3, 2006 1:55 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2005
One long day
Started at about 3am and reached the summit by noon. I slept well that night.
gregoryv - Nov 2, 2006 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2005
Whitney Portal
Mellow trip. Camped at 10,500'. Late start. Summit around 12:00. Beautiful weather.
Chuckpeezy1 - Oct 25, 2006 5:53 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2006
so worth it
the switchbacks on the main trail aren't so fun, but the summit makes it all worth while
BigPsycheDadee - Feb 18, 2007 5:46 pm
Up the west side via the JMTI came to Whitney after solo thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. I went over Shepherd Pass (tough hike, great views of Williamson and Tyndall) and joined the JMT. Rolled out of camp at Guitar Lake before sunrise and was the first to summit that day.
Awesome trip, great weather. I hiked out to Whitney Portal as I arranged a shuttle with a retired Forest Service guy.
Hyadventure - Feb 15, 2007 7:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 1996
Main Trail Dayhike 1996My first ascent of anything. Wanted to achieve something before I turned 40. Made all the rookie mistakes but I still summited. Since then I've been back for four more successful summits. I did my first alpine climb on the east buttress and lead the east face.
highice - Jan 30, 2007 6:20 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2000
try again in springdid the mtneers route instead of E. face, the snow on the east face was too unstable on the slabs. nice ice traverse above the couloir. I'd recommend going straight up the left wall instead of traversing around it forever...more esthetic that way, if you like ice climbing.
highice - Jan 30, 2007 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Feb 17, 1993
wintertried the east face but hit with a big storm. my buddy didn't want to be there anymore so we bailed. what a whimp!
renogurt - Jan 25, 2007 6:10 am Date Climbed: Mar 30, 2004
Mountaineer's RouteWent up this route a few years back with 2 friends. What an awesome route! Got caught in a whiteout right under the summit, what a relief to get back to camp. A definite must do for anyone who likes mountaineering.
Anya Jingle - Jan 13, 2007 8:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2006
Via Mt Whitney Trail in a dayI will always remember this day as a great experience. The photos from my hike are here; sit back and enjoy the slideshow:
Mount Whitney via Mt Whitney Trail as a dayhike
weeds19 - Jan 13, 2007 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2002
A long dayI took the last flight of the day from ABQ to LAX. I rented a car at the airport and drove to Whitney Portal just in time to start the hike. After using the facility on top I headed down and took a short nap at trail camp before returning to my rental car and driving back to LAX for the flight home.
LC - Jan 12, 2007 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2006
Main RouteEasier than I thought. I'll try the mountaineers route next.
tb00957 - Jan 11, 2007 11:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
east faceDid it again. This time up East face, car to car in one day. Exhausted but happy.
MtnAv8r - Jan 6, 2007 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 1999
Nothing but tearsClimbing partner took on a case of AMS just below Muir. He turned back to the window. I summited. Don't know why, but as soon as I hit the top, the tears just came. Signed the logbook and put comment "Nothing but tears". Beautiful fall day. Clear, sunny, cool, and a slight breeze.
Like2Hike - Jan 5, 2007 5:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2004
1ST 14ERVia the Mountaineers Route.1st 14er and 1st hiking trip out west.
yaknjorgl - Jan 2, 2007 6:44 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2001
mountaineers routeim unsure about the dates its been a while. I went with some old drunk guy and his flat-lander friend. Much better than slogging the trail during the summer, ebersbacher ledges were not as hairball as advertised.
I got Warren Harding to sign my route book next to the description of the his route.
eferesen - Dec 29, 2006 8:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2006
Mount Whitney TrailExcellent weather. It took 12 hrs and 59 minutes. I had the worst headache starting from swtichbacks to the summit. Took me 5 hr to reach the summit (from the 97 switchbacks). I was crawling. But it was worthwile. It taught me respect for nature.
slogger - Dec 19, 2006 12:07 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2005
Whiteny Trail in WinterI didn't get too high on this one. The weather was poor, and I wasn't feeling too fit. I didn't need snowshoes, crampons worked perfectly at that time. If you know what you're doing, Winter is definitely a good time to climb Whitney. I really enjoyed a wilderness experience on the mountain that not everyone gets. I'll definitely be back!
tpdwr - Dec 18, 2006 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 1993
On the trail!Overnight with Keeler needle and Mt. Muir.
ahaass - Dec 7, 2006 4:58 am Date Climbed: Dec 4, 2006
ahaassMt Whitney winter summit
Trail conditions on the main route are excellent. No snowshoes required. Summitted without strapping on crampons, but probably should have! Crampons (and axe, of course) required from trailcrest to middle of the switchbacks on the way down. Photoson the Mt Whitney main page show the trail starting to fill in with packed snow which freezes. Above trailcrest the trail is 25% covered and half of that is solid ice. See photos of trail conditions on Mt Whitney main page dated Dec 6th. Camped at Trail Side camp @12,000', 15 degrees overnight. 15.5 hrs total hiking.
danman3156 - Dec 5, 2006 6:44 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2006
East ButressWhat an awesome climb! It was very hot the day that we chose to climb and we apparently did not bring enough water as we were very dehydrated by the time we reached the summit. Splitting headaches.
MickP321 - Dec 3, 2006 1:55 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2005
One long dayStarted at about 3am and reached the summit by noon. I slept well that night.
gregoryv - Nov 2, 2006 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2005
Whitney PortalMellow trip. Camped at 10,500'. Late start. Summit around 12:00. Beautiful weather.
Chuckpeezy1 - Oct 25, 2006 5:53 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2006
so worth itthe switchbacks on the main trail aren't so fun, but the summit makes it all worth while