[pct-l] Camping on Mount Whitney

Sun May 26 15:09:31 CDT 2013

If you're leaving in 16 days, that's still early season for the High
Sierra, which is why most thru hikers have the JMT all to themselves for
most of the distance.  It's totally doable, especially in this low snow
year, and you'd be getting to Whitney toward the end of the month.  If you
choose to camp on top, I'd want more than a 30 degree bag personally, as it
is still potentially really cold up there, still dipping into the teens and
20s at night at times.  It's much warmer just a bit lower if you pick a
protected spot as Mark mentioned, or even lower than that.  Most
importantly, however, be really cognizant of the weather.  Thunderstorms
usually build up during the afternoons and clear at night in summer, but
not always.   I've been thundered and snowed on in the Sierra, spring,
summer and fall, day and night.  The Sierra are known for having the "most
benign summer weather" of any major mountain range in the world, but that
doesn't mean you still don't get some doozies any time of year and being on
top is not where you want to be in a thunder storm.

Sounds like a good plan all around.

Shroomer

On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 11:32 AM, Benjamin Grunbaum
<bengrunbaum at gmail.com>wrote:

> I see one metal door on what I would guess is the western side of the
> building but nothing on the eastern or whitney portal side of the building
> (the side with all the frustrating graffiti (signatures/ names) inside.
>  Come to think of it, when I was there in early July last year there was
> alot of snow in that room.  Maybe they take it on and off.
>
>
> On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 11:25 AM, Benjamin Grunbaum
> <bengrunbaum at gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > I see one metal door on what I would guess is the western side of the
> > building but nothing on the eastern or whitney portal side of the
> building
> > (the side with all the frustrating graffiti (signatures/ names) inside.
> >  Come to think of it, when I was there in early July last year there was
> > alot of snow in that room.  Maybe they take it on and off.
> >
> >
> > On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 11:10 AM, Stephen Clark <rowriver at gmail.com
> >wrote:
> >
> >> It clearly had door(s) in the photos I have from last August.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 10:54 AM, Benjamin Grunbaum <
> >> bengrunbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I looked at my pictures from last year and I do not see one.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 10:45 AM, JPL <jplynch at crosslink.net> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> > Does the hut on top even have a door now?  I don't remember that it
> did
> >>> > the last (and only) time I was up there.
> >>> >
> >>> > -----Original Message----- From: Mark Hyams
> >>> > Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 1:27 PM
> >>> > To: Benjamin Grunbaum ; pct-l at backcountry.net
> >>> > Subject: Re: [pct-l] Camping on Mount Whitney
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> > There are some rock-ringed and flat sites just before the JMT/Whitney
> >>> > Portal/Summit junction.  They are well above 13,000 feet.  These
> might
> >>> be a
> >>> > bit more sheltered than the summit, and I think the Forest Service
> >>> frowns
> >>> > on people sleeping in the cabin, if it is even unlocked.  (If it is
> >>> locked,
> >>> > you could use at a wind-block.)  You're only a couple miles from the
> >>> summit
> >>> > at that point, so you should be able to just hike by headlamp to the
> >>> summit
> >>> > before dawn.
> >>> >
> >>> > Mark
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> > On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 9:24 AM, Benjamin Grunbaum <
> >>> bengrunbaum at gmail.com
> >>> > >wrote:
> >>> >
> >>> >  Hello everyone
> >>> >> I am hiking the John Muir Trail again in 16 days.  I am starting at
> >>> Happy
> >>> >> Isles because I want to finish on top of the lower 48.
> >>> >> I am curious if anyone on this list has camped at the top.  I have
> >>> only
> >>> >> seen a few posts about camping on the top. The two or three
> mentioned
> >>> it
> >>> >> being extremely cold and windy.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> I was thinking of camping inside the hut if it is not already taken.
> >>> I am
> >>> >> pretty sure it would handle wind better than my tent!  I am planning
> >>> on
> >>> >> bringing my 30 degree bag but I do not want to become a popsicle
> that
> >>> >> somebody else has to remove.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Joking aside, how could does it get up there?  Are the tent sites on
> >>> top
> >>> >> (I
> >>> >> understand there are a couple) protected by rocks?  Can you camp in
> >>> the
> >>> >> hut?  Will I survive the night in a 30 degree bag?  I am prepared to
> >>> be
> >>> >> uncomfortable to have the chance to see the sunset and sunrise on
> the
> >>> top
> >>> >> of the lower 48.  I just do not want to be the one calling 911 so I
> am
> >>> >> looking for constructive advice.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Thanks
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