Mt. Whitney, California, USA (14,494 ft / 4418 m)
April 2004: Spring ascent via the Mountaineer's Route
Whitney Portal elevation: 8,365 feet
Summit elevation: 14,494 feet
Roundtrip distance: 8.5 miles (Portal-Summit-Portal via MR)
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Mt. Whitney, California, USA (14,494 ft / 4418 m)April 2004: Spring ascent via the Mountaineer's Route
Whitney Portal elevation: 8,365 feet |
Trip date: April 2-4, 2004 (Friday-Sunday: 3 days). Alpine style.
Climbers:
Thu (Day 0): Drive to Lone Pine, CA and spend the night at the Trails Motel or at the Lone Pine free campground.
Fri (Day 1): Get breakfast at the High Sierra Cafe at 7:00am. Then, drive to the Whitney Portal trailhead getting there at approx 9:00am. Whitney Portal Road is not plowed in the winter. In years past, the road closure sign is around the 6600' level. Road conditions could be tricky after the road closure sign. We may need snowshoes from the start. The way from Whitney Portal trailhead (8,365 ft) will probably be all snow, with some steep snowshoeing terrain through pines and willows and around exposed granite slabs (Ebersbacher ledges). The day will be a long one. Our camp should be between Upper Boy Scout Lake and Iceberg Lake, around 12,000 ft.
Sat (Day 2): Summit day. Ascend the Mountaineer's gully. The gully may be firm snow or knee-deep step kicking, depending on conditions. After the notch, we then climb the 1st short gully to the left (north facing) to gain the summit plateau. Descent: we downclimb via the same upper gully and then the main Mountaineer's gully to our camp.
Sun (Day 3): Break camp, pack up and return to our car(s) by mid-afternoon. End of trip.
GROUP GEAR: (team = 3 climbers)
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__ 2 two-man tents
__ 2 snow shovels
__ 3 22 fl oz fuel bottles (66 fl. oz: 3 people for 3 days)
__ 2 Whisperlite white-gas stoves
__ 2 large pots
__ 2 lighters (matches as backup)
__ Topo Map
__ Compass
__ Altimeter
__ Cell phone
__ Repair kit (e.g. duct tape, stove kit, Thermarest kit, etc)
INDIVIDUAL GEAR:
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Climbing equipment:
__ Helmet
__ Ice axe (60-75cm)
__ Crampons
__ Adjustable ski poles
Feet:
__ 2 pairs liner socks
__ 2 pairs heavier synthetic socks (e.g. Thorlos Mt Climbing)
__ Plastic double boots
__ Down/synthetic booties (optional)
__ Gaiters
__ Snowshoes
Lower Body:
__ 1 long medium weight underwear bottom (e.g. Patagonia Capilene)
__ 1 long expedition weight Capilene underwear bottom
__ Fleece climbing pants with full-side zippers (optional)
__ Gore-tex shell pants with full-size zippers
Upper Body:
__ 1 medium weight long underwear top (e.g. Patagonia Capilene)
__ Expedition weight Capilene top
__ Midweight fleece jacket (Polartec 200)
__ Heavyweight pile jacket (Polartec 300)
__ Gore-tex shell jacket with hood
__ Down Parka with insulated hood (NICE TO HAVE!!!)
Hands:
__ 1 pair liner polypropylene gloves
__ 1 pair medium weight fleece gloves
__ 1 pair Gore-Tex shell gloves or 1 pair overmittens with
wrist leash (e.g. OR Pro Modular mittens)
Head:
__ Fleece hat
__ Lightweight Balaclava
__ Sun hat & Bandanna
__ Glacier glasses
__ Headlamp w/ extra batteries and bulb
Sleeping gear:
__ 1 down/synthetic sleeping bag (rated 0F)
__ 3/4 or full length Thermarest pad
__ 1 full length closed cell foam pad (e.g. Ridgerest)
Pack:
__ Internal frame pack (5,000+ cubic inches)
__ Day pack for summit day (optional)
Eating utensils:
__ Spoon
__ Plastic bowl
__ Insulated mug with lid
Personals:
__ First-aid kit (Ibuprofen/Aspirin, Mole skin, bandaids, gauze, tape, etc)
__ Pocket knife
__ 2 one quart Nalgene water bottles with insulated covers (optional)
__ Pee bottle (optional)
__ Sunblock (SPF 40+)
__ Lip balm (SPF 30)
__ Ear plugs (optional)
__ 1-2 large plastic trash bags
__ Toothbrush, toothpaste
__ Toilet paper
__ Camera/film
__ Hand/toe chemical warmers (optional)