Quota System for Mt Whitney to be LIFTED for July 2011

Latest from NPS website:

"Due to markedly low applications for the 2011 annual lottery for Whitney Zone access, NPS officials are considering opening the Inyo NF Whitney zone restriction for the entire month of July.

A quota system is in effect between May 1 and November 1 each year.

A lottery, beginning each February 15th, assigns advance reservations (15 per group maximum) for the quota period on the Mt. Whitney Trail.

The Mt. Whitney Zone limits day use (100 daily); overnight (Mt. Whitney Trail, 60 daily); Trail Crest exits (west entry - east exit, 25 daily) while quotas are in effect.

Trail Crest permits (entering elsewhere; exiting at Whitney Portal) have a separate application process.

You can get a permit for day use or overnight; with a day use permit you must not camp or sleep. You may start before sunrise and you are limited to a 24-hour period on the trail.

All applications must be submitted by snail mail. No fax, internet, email or phone applications are accepted.

Applications must be submitted with a $15 fee per person; payable by Visa, Matercard, or check to “USDA Forest Service”.

Payment is processed ONLY if applications are accepted.

There are NO REFUNDS

Mail your application (post marked in February) for the Mt. Whitney lottery to:

Mt. Whitney Lottery
Wilderness Permit Office
Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514
Wilderness Information Line: (760) 873-2485
Reservation Line: (760) 873-2483
Fax: (760) 873-2484
Open Monday through Friday, mid-October to mid-May, 8:00am to 4:30pm
The rest of the year open 7 days a week, 8:00am to 4:30pm"



























april fools!

Good one! I just received a Whitney permit for July 3rd in the mail today. I'm gonna double check and make sure it's not from you!

I spoke to the senior BC Whitney Zone ranger the other day. Appears that the interest in getting to the summit of Whitney is beginning to wane. This upcoming season has seen an unusual drastic drop in day permit reqs as well as over night permits. Now that Williamson is open year round, he said many folks may be interested in tagging it. That of course is just a general opinion on the USFS's part but a real valid one within the big scope of things according to him.

Snow Creek has also siphoned off a lot of the Whitney crowd.

Curious if the big snow year would impact applications. I heard a report that snow is 160% or normal in California. But I am not sure about the snow distribution throughout the state of California? Is it more of a Mt Shasta thing?

Oh it's a big year for all of us in the Sierra. It will be snowing again in Tahoe this Tuesday.

Dana and Coke Chute today 4.02.11:

^^^looks you opted against a go on Tom (or was tom the morning run lol?)...which branch of coke did ya hit?

Neither! We were thwarted by the weather- storm rolled in and the chutes were plastered with heniously wind-slabbed snow. Tom was supposed to be windy as well, but we ended up going for the closer option of the Dana chutes- figured we might catch a fast skin track or two up yonder

They looked awesome, but were closer to ice climbs than ski descents. Where were you guys this go-round? Looked STEEP

"Big Snow" years really have had no impact on the Whitney Region. From my experience of working and climbing around that area for the past 12 years straight, July and August are the big months for the human invasion. Last year and 06' were big snow years and the permits were booked solid with high numbers of humans visiting the region.

Last and this weeks above norm temps have really taken it's toll on the local snow pack and it is melting fast. Next two weeks look to be higher than norm temps as well and that will really bring the pack down. According to NOAA's climatic forecast, appears that Spring will be in full swing beginning the middle of April.

I just wish that they would improve the system to accomodate trekkers/climbers interested in pursuing parts of the Whitney Zone outside of the main Whitney Trail. Makes tagging classic lines on Russel and eastern aspects of Whitney a more feesible (and affordable) endeavor instead of a pain in the ass wrapped in red tape.

The red tape came to the north fork because too many newbies tried the Mountaineers' "Trail" when they couldn't get a permit for the main trail.