Mt. Whitney in January?

Hey MP friends! A lady friend and I are wanting to climb Mt. Whitney starting around January 22nd. Side note: permits are only showing as available through January 17th. We’d go the Whitney Trail, and it’s looking like weather is generally 0°-20°. I’ve read a good bit of info about the mountaineering route, but not the more common route. I’ve got a few questions so that we can go prepared.

1. I’m seeing that snowshoes, and maybe crampons and ice axes, are useful for winter on the Whitney Trail. Any other suggested gear?

2. Favorite camp other than Trail Camp?

3. Would La Sportiva GT5 hiking boots be warm enough? If not, I can get the Trango Extremes for 75% off (no joke!).

4. Likely fly into LAX and then take the Metrolink train and bus to Lone Pine. Is there any easier way to get there?

5. Any other weather insights for summit day? I’m looking for worst case scenario weather.

6. Anything y’all can advise that I have not thought to ask?

Thanks!

Daniel

No.

Because pandemic.

Make sure your avi skills are solid. That section with the 99 switchbacks becomes a prime slide area. There are others. Bring beacons, probes, and shovels.

Oh, you'd better leave tomorrow if you want to 'climb' around the 22nd. You know, 14-day quarantine period and all.

https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/

https://deadline.com/2021/01/los-angeles-covid-19-records-1000-deaths-in-6-days-1234665299/

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-06/california-hits-2-5-million-coronavirus-cases

https://lancasteronline.com/news/health/california-sees-two-day-record-of-coronavirus-deaths/article_f6192878-d9a2-5e49-97ef-d508cb8c2b65.html 

Some reading for your flight. 

EDIT: by the way, you should post this in the N Cal forum - let the Eastside locals know how little you care about the pandemic. They love that. 

(I also believe this could be a troll, but some people are so far off from reality, you never know)

Have fun! Stay warm.

How is this helpful? I’m not asking IF we should climb it. I’m asking for advice WHEN we do.

Matt N wrote:

No.

Because pandemic.

Got it! Thanks. I figured shovel would be helpful for digging the tent out. Avalanche gear is great advice though. FYI, Forest service advised all mountaineering gear in general, as a just in case measure. Glad I bought a Nemo Tenshi on MP earlier!

Daniel Lewiswrote:

How is this helpful? I’m not asking IF we should climb it. I’m asking for advice WHEN we do.

Daniel Lewiswrote:

4. Likely fly into LAX and then take the Metrolink train and bus to Lone Pine. Is there any easier way to get there?

How the f*ck is this helpful?

.

. 

Oh, I'm sorry. You're right, that's not helpful. Here's advice for WHEN:

January. 

2022

COVID spread is pretty heavy in this region at the moment.  I would stay home.    

Have fun. Stay warm.

I call troll.

M Appelquist wrote:

Is the “Intro to Avalanche” course still taught at Whitney Portal?

Yeah, as well as the intro to hiking and intro to camping courses

Daniel Lewiswrote:

Got it! Thanks. I figured shovel would be helpful for digging the tent out. Avalanche gear is great advice though. FYI, Forest service advised all mountaineering gear in general, as a just in case measure. Glad I bought a Nemo Tenshi on MP earlier!

Make sure that you and your friend have at least one avalanche transceiver between the two of you.

00: best not to travel to LA in the current conditions, as others have mentioned.

0: Wrong forum for these questions, Nor Cal or the mountaineering forums would be better, trip reports are for reporting on how your trip went after you have done it.

1: snow conditions change dramatically month to month and year to year on the mountain, sometimes its practically barren, other times you will be wallowing in powder, and sometimes there a packed in trail form other folks traveling. be familiar with a variety of snow travel tools, an pick the option that's best for the conditions present when you actually go.

2: outpost camp and lone pine lake are nice camping areas lower then trail if you want something more sheltered in the trees.

3: no advice on how cold your own feet will be.

4: Renting a car is a better option then relying on the pubic transit.  Also the bus has limited operations (especially due to covid restrictions) and would only drop you in the town of lone pine, there you still need to work out a ride up to the base of the mountain.  This isn't an issue in the summer tourist season, but could be tricky in the winter.

5: Weather on the mountain is extremely different from weather in the towns in the valley, its possibly to have full on blizzards on the peaks, while the town of lone pine is warm and sunny.  make sure your getting forecasts that reflect the weather of the actual mountain, and not weather pulled from the nearest airport or city.  worst case weather in winter can be winds of 100+mph over the crest and snow falls measured in feet.

6: Inyo national forest permits are self-issued and non-quota in the winter (nov1- april 30).

Don't listen to all the haters. Camping outdoors doesn't spread the virus, it's dumb as shit to think it does. People are flying all the time, wear a mask and don't be a dick and just let all these covid circle jerk people stew. Post a TR after you are done to make them extra upset. 

I've been there in January, how far you get depends on snow conditions, storms and how fast you can move. 

I once summited Russel in January in shirt sleeves it being nice weather and a no snow year.

Snow shoes suck for anything but flat ground. I did take a pair to Whitney once because there was some new snow but carried them more than I wore them. Snow shoes can be useless in trees, brush or rugged terrain. 

The Whitney Portal road is usually very icy and may not be possible - especially without 4WD and/or chains. Be prepared to walk from the base of the hill.

Unless you are very familiar with them, trails are hard to follow when covered with snow. Be prepared for route finding and cross country travel.

If you are not trained in avalanche safety, do not go up there if there more than a couple inches of fresh snow.

Whitney approach in winter:

Mt. Russell summit Jan. 1999:

Whitney trail Jan. 1997:

Hi Daniel - will you let us know how the snow is for going up when you are done with your trip? Pics would be nice! Thanks and have fun!

cool 90s photos dan.  I dig the throwback.   

Thanks Connor and Dan! Trying to get there now. Got your message, Connor.

Daniel Lewiswrote:

Thanks Connor and Dan! Trying to get there now. Got your message, Connor.

Hopefully this storm doesn't hit whitney too hard. Super dangerous avy conditions up in tahoe rn. Stay safe out there dude.

Connor Dobsonwrote:

Hopefully this storm doesn't hit whitney too hard. Super dangerous avy conditions up in tahoe rn. Stay safe out there dude.

From someone living in the desert southwest, I find it almost offensive that you would hope for less snow in the mountains, in January, for the sake of "conditions", and on the tail end of some historic droughts. Not actually offensive, but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that.