Left Whitney Portal around 5:30 AM as we wanted daylight to help with navigation once we turned off the main Whitney trail. The route was easy to follow and conditions were great. There was thin ice seeping from the water stain on the rack band before Iceberg lake. We last about 30 minutes trying to climb the wall at the water seep before we found the easier notch to the left. We could hear a lot of rockfall in the couliour, but nothing came that close. Glad we had our helmets.
The transition from the couliour to the notch was still covered in snow and ice. We used loose rock to break away the ice to get better holds. Getting into the notch and the upper part of the notch had a bit more exposure than we had anticipated.
At the summit we decided to take the mule trail down because we were not keen on descending the couliour late in the day when it might begin to ice up again. We got back to the Portal in time for a burger.
Bluebell08 - Sep 8, 2008 9:12 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2008
Late spring snow
A snow storm over the previous weekend spoiled our attempt. Made it to about 10,000 feet and learned of hip-deep snow, so we turned around. Will be back!
Sienna - Sep 5, 2008 4:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2001
First time on anything
like this, and I have never been happier.
crnhlio - Sep 2, 2008 10:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2008
Dawn on the 4th
Jess's first real Mtn. Hit the top right at sunrise. Awesome!
Solo 3-pin ski descent, too. Would have been a perfect ski run except for the big gully in the middle of the chute from people sliding and glissading down. Ain't there no respect for skiers?
Karl Helser - Jul 17, 2008 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2008
One day climb...
Weather was questionable. Thunder & lightning in the forecast. We decided to do the one day climb. Left the crampons & ice axe in the car. The snow in the gully is almost gone. Left Whitney Portal at 4:15am and hit the summit at 11:45am. No view at the top. Descended the main trail...OUCH! Eleven miles of crowded switch backs...beautiful country though...
kavak - Jun 16, 2008 10:41 am Date Climbed: May 30, 1977
Sierra Initiation
This was my first foray into climbing high peaks in the Sierra. My climbing partner was experienced fortunately, but I learned alot about myself and what is needed to be proficient in climbing the higher peaks. Interestingly, I just sold those Salewa crampons I used on this climb to a father who wants to teach his son to follow in his footsteps.
Dunedain - Jun 13, 2008 8:39 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2006
MR attempt
On spring break from med school my buddy and I attempted the MR route, lots of snow and winter conditions. Got turned around at Upper Boyscout Lake by avy concerns and lack of avy gear, will be back.
wild. i was there the weekend of march 28, 2009 and turned around for the exact same reason. spring time avy conditions, no avy gear, and we were concerned about the slope you traverse from the upper moraine to iceberg lake. second attempt but better safe then sorry...
MtnLdr - Jun 3, 2008 12:01 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2008
Not Quite Spring Yet!
A late season dump turned what we thought would be a nice spring outing into a wintery epic climb, complete with airy, exposed traverses on snowy slopes,sub-sub zero wind chill summit day, the threat of wet snow avalanches, and a frozen top-layer morning descent that made my legs shake. What an awesome weekend!!! Thanks to Matt, Mark, and Marie!!! I'd climb again with any of you any day of the week (just not this week - still sore!!!)
Amazing Trip. See full details here:
http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/398032/Spring-Time-Assent-on-Mountaineers-Route.html
Sam Page - Apr 19, 2008 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1994
Right rib
I forget the exact date. We bivied at Iceberg Lake and I soloed (stupidly) up the rib to the right of the gully. I remember one really exposed move which felt like 5.5, which was too much in my leather boots.
96avs01 - Mar 9, 2008 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2008
Winter Fun
Found the route in perfect conditions and warm temps. Opted to summit on a Friday and had the route to ourselves. Made my first trip to Whitney definitely one to cherish.
Shirley Lam - Jan 30, 2008 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2005
Scary...
When there are too many people on the route when it isn't snow covered...bring your helmet!
glahhg - Jan 24, 2008 12:48 am Date Climbed: Jan 20, 2008
winter ascent
blasting spindrift and storm clouds on the horizon. full value.
EManBevHills - Dec 30, 2007 1:05 am Date Climbed: Oct 6, 1998
mthomas - Mar 1, 2009 10:53 pm Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2008
Descent after East ButtressDescended via the Mountaineer's Route after climbing the East Buttress with Doug Robinson.
liferequiresair - Jan 18, 2009 8:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 9, 2008
Awesome!Solid climb. Descended down the main trail due to sketchy conditions in the couloir.
laziom - Dec 5, 2008 1:05 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2008
Mountaineer's Routeup the Mountaineer's Route, down the Main Mt. Whitney Trail.
SkydiveKen - Sep 28, 2008 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2008
Again!Mountaineers route one more time! #5 Down the main trail to tag Muir.
SpankyBob - Sep 9, 2008 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2004
Good TripLeft Whitney Portal around 5:30 AM as we wanted daylight to help with navigation once we turned off the main Whitney trail. The route was easy to follow and conditions were great. There was thin ice seeping from the water stain on the rack band before Iceberg lake. We last about 30 minutes trying to climb the wall at the water seep before we found the easier notch to the left. We could hear a lot of rockfall in the couliour, but nothing came that close. Glad we had our helmets.
The transition from the couliour to the notch was still covered in snow and ice. We used loose rock to break away the ice to get better holds. Getting into the notch and the upper part of the notch had a bit more exposure than we had anticipated.
At the summit we decided to take the mule trail down because we were not keen on descending the couliour late in the day when it might begin to ice up again. We got back to the Portal in time for a burger.
Bluebell08 - Sep 8, 2008 9:12 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2008
Late spring snowA snow storm over the previous weekend spoiled our attempt. Made it to about 10,000 feet and learned of hip-deep snow, so we turned around. Will be back!
Sienna - Sep 5, 2008 4:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2001
First time on anythinglike this, and I have never been happier.
crnhlio - Sep 2, 2008 10:40 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2008
Dawn on the 4thJess's first real Mtn. Hit the top right at sunrise. Awesome!
Sierra Ledge Rat - Jul 18, 2008 2:24 am
Multiple solo ascentsMultiple solo ascents.
Solo 3-pin ski descent, too. Would have been a perfect ski run except for the big gully in the middle of the chute from people sliding and glissading down. Ain't there no respect for skiers?
Karl Helser - Jul 17, 2008 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2008
One day climb...Weather was questionable. Thunder & lightning in the forecast. We decided to do the one day climb. Left the crampons & ice axe in the car. The snow in the gully is almost gone. Left Whitney Portal at 4:15am and hit the summit at 11:45am. No view at the top. Descended the main trail...OUCH! Eleven miles of crowded switch backs...beautiful country though...
kavak - Jun 16, 2008 10:41 am Date Climbed: May 30, 1977
Sierra InitiationThis was my first foray into climbing high peaks in the Sierra. My climbing partner was experienced fortunately, but I learned alot about myself and what is needed to be proficient in climbing the higher peaks. Interestingly, I just sold those Salewa crampons I used on this climb to a father who wants to teach his son to follow in his footsteps.
Dunedain - Jun 13, 2008 8:39 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2006
MR attemptOn spring break from med school my buddy and I attempted the MR route, lots of snow and winter conditions. Got turned around at Upper Boyscout Lake by avy concerns and lack of avy gear, will be back.
emilie - Jul 24, 2009 11:48 pm
Re: MR attemptwild. i was there the weekend of march 28, 2009 and turned around for the exact same reason. spring time avy conditions, no avy gear, and we were concerned about the slope you traverse from the upper moraine to iceberg lake. second attempt but better safe then sorry...
MtnLdr - Jun 3, 2008 12:01 pm Date Climbed: May 31, 2008
Not Quite Spring Yet!A late season dump turned what we thought would be a nice spring outing into a wintery epic climb, complete with airy, exposed traverses on snowy slopes,sub-sub zero wind chill summit day, the threat of wet snow avalanches, and a frozen top-layer morning descent that made my legs shake. What an awesome weekend!!! Thanks to Matt, Mark, and Marie!!! I'd climb again with any of you any day of the week (just not this week - still sore!!!)
jonmeek16 - Apr 22, 2008 2:13 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2008
Springtime Assent on MR RouteAmazing Trip. See full details here:
http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/398032/Spring-Time-Assent-on-Mountaineers-Route.html
Sam Page - Apr 19, 2008 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1994
Right ribI forget the exact date. We bivied at Iceberg Lake and I soloed (stupidly) up the rib to the right of the gully. I remember one really exposed move which felt like 5.5, which was too much in my leather boots.
96avs01 - Mar 9, 2008 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2008
Winter FunFound the route in perfect conditions and warm temps. Opted to summit on a Friday and had the route to ourselves. Made my first trip to Whitney definitely one to cherish.
Shirley Lam - Jan 30, 2008 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2005
Scary...When there are too many people on the route when it isn't snow covered...bring your helmet!
glahhg - Jan 24, 2008 12:48 am Date Climbed: Jan 20, 2008
winter ascentblasting spindrift and storm clouds on the horizon. full value.
EManBevHills - Dec 30, 2007 1:05 am Date Climbed: Oct 6, 1998
125 years after MuirMy 1st CA 14'er for my 45th B'Day.