I'm hoping to attempt the Mountaineer's Route in about 10 days.

Anyone care to guess how close to the Portal a 2WD car will be able to get?

Thanks.

Now there is an avalanche cone across the road above the first big switchback. Check the Whitney Portal store bulletin board for when Inyo county gets around to digging it out.

Here are some great pictures taken recently by Kurt
http://sierramountaineering.com/blog/

Very helpful. Thanks.

D.

I sent you a few pm's re both . . .