Planning first Sierra Trip (Tyndall->Whitney, July 2010)
Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:03 pm
I've been out of action for a few weeks with a knee injury, so I've been trying to get my mountain fix by thinking about what trips I can do next summer. I've never been to the Sierras before, so I drew up this map of a possible multi-day adventure...
Tyndall to Whitney
Basically it would be:
Day 1: Get up to Shepherd Pass, hike up Polychrome Peak if I felt like it.
Day 2: Tyndall (Northwest Ridge or North Rib), (+ maybe Versteeg from North)
Day 3: Williamson (West Face), Trojan (from NW), Barnard, Wallace Lake
Day 4: Tunnabora, Carillon (or possibly Russell East Ridge), Iceberg Lake
Day 5: Whitney (up MR, down Whitney Trail)
Anyone with more experience know what might be the technical crux of such a trip?
It seems like I would be subject to the Shepherd Pass entry quota and Trail Crest exit quota, but not the Whitney Lottery, is this correct? I could do this in a Sunday-Thursday or Monday-Friday period to reduce the chances of having permit problems. Is acquiring a permit for this trip problematic (assuming I sign up as early as possible, which seems to be 6 months in advance).
I figure I could bail off the Crest to the west and hike south on the John Muir trail if I was having problems for some reason, then cross the Crest at Mt Muir and exit via Whitney Portal as intended.
If I end up going with people who are afraid of any sort of exposure, is a trip like this possible? I feel like I could leave out Tyndall and Williamson... and then do something like Polychrome, Barnard, and then around Russell to the SW rather than the NE, and do Whitney from Hitchcock Lakes?
General difficulties with travelling at 13000' and camping at 12000' lakes in the Sierras?
Thanks for any advice.
edit: I suppose I should describe my experience a bit. I'm 23, started hiking frequently 2 years ago. I did just over 100,000' elevation gain this year, basically starting in May after finishing grad school. Moved from Boston to Seattle in June. Biggest day was 5800' elevation gain this year, with a few others over 5000'. I'm primarily a hiker, but have enjoyed what little class 2-3 scrambling I've done so far in the Cascades. I'm taking Basic Alpine Climbing with the Seattle Mountaineers starting in January, so I should be more skilled next summer (would probably do Baker and Rainier before this trip, although the type of terrain is obviously totally different). Confident with map/compass or GPS.
Tyndall to Whitney
Basically it would be:
Day 1: Get up to Shepherd Pass, hike up Polychrome Peak if I felt like it.
Day 2: Tyndall (Northwest Ridge or North Rib), (+ maybe Versteeg from North)
Day 3: Williamson (West Face), Trojan (from NW), Barnard, Wallace Lake
Day 4: Tunnabora, Carillon (or possibly Russell East Ridge), Iceberg Lake
Day 5: Whitney (up MR, down Whitney Trail)
Anyone with more experience know what might be the technical crux of such a trip?
It seems like I would be subject to the Shepherd Pass entry quota and Trail Crest exit quota, but not the Whitney Lottery, is this correct? I could do this in a Sunday-Thursday or Monday-Friday period to reduce the chances of having permit problems. Is acquiring a permit for this trip problematic (assuming I sign up as early as possible, which seems to be 6 months in advance).
I figure I could bail off the Crest to the west and hike south on the John Muir trail if I was having problems for some reason, then cross the Crest at Mt Muir and exit via Whitney Portal as intended.
If I end up going with people who are afraid of any sort of exposure, is a trip like this possible? I feel like I could leave out Tyndall and Williamson... and then do something like Polychrome, Barnard, and then around Russell to the SW rather than the NE, and do Whitney from Hitchcock Lakes?
General difficulties with travelling at 13000' and camping at 12000' lakes in the Sierras?
Thanks for any advice.
edit: I suppose I should describe my experience a bit. I'm 23, started hiking frequently 2 years ago. I did just over 100,000' elevation gain this year, basically starting in May after finishing grad school. Moved from Boston to Seattle in June. Biggest day was 5800' elevation gain this year, with a few others over 5000'. I'm primarily a hiker, but have enjoyed what little class 2-3 scrambling I've done so far in the Cascades. I'm taking Basic Alpine Climbing with the Seattle Mountaineers starting in January, so I should be more skilled next summer (would probably do Baker and Rainier before this trip, although the type of terrain is obviously totally different). Confident with map/compass or GPS.