i would

Hi Kristoria -

First of all, as someone mentioned upthread, if you haven't been there yet, check out the Whitney Portal Store Message Board:

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum ... d=1&page=1

Search the forum as some of your questions (such as gear rental) have probably been answered. Check for weather & trail conditions as you approach your climb. Introduce yourself, see if other folks may be in the area when you are. They are very friendly and Whitney is pretty much all that is spoken there.

For better or worse, chances are you will meet up with other parties along the route. Folks on the MR (unlike the MT) are the sort that will let you climb with them, if necessary, give you a hand.

I've only been up there once with a group, I'd solo it now. Now that you've said sleeping bag, sounds like you'll be lugging an overnight pack up to UBSL or Iceberg. With a big pack, solo, the Ebersbacher Ledges might be the crux of the climb. A photo link from someone on the Whitney forum:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellb/ ... 322219631/

A little navigation is required. If the ledges are wet, yikes, you might want to haul packs, hard to do on your own. But we've had a good dose of snow this year. On your target date, you may be able to bypass the E-ledges, rather plow straight up the creek. If there's enough snow, the bushwhacking isn't too bad. For me, at least, that section would be the mental crux, the rest is just a slog.

I'm curious about water availability on the approach to the MR around the end of April. Will I have to melt snow or is water available from the creeks/lakes? Anyone know?

Thanks

Christine:

I'm glad your trip worked out well. It sounds like you made a few mistakes but made up for them by just being tough and not giving up. Next time, bring sunscreen and less of everything else. Nice job!

Bob

congrats . . .

Congrats!!! Takes a lot of motivation to do it solo in winter. Forget about plastic boots next time though; you never really need those in the Sierra. Some good leather mountaineering boots suffice.

Good job though you suffered a little. How did you get to 60 lbs for your pack?

Congrats- sounds like a good time! A fun climb that might still have some snow on it (likely higher up) would be San Gorgonio- I did it last January, & it was a lot of fun!

Great job Christine!