[pct-l] Camping on Mount Whitney

[Reinhold Metzger]

[pct-l] Camping on Mount Whitney
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I have camped on the top on many occasions, but always in the summer, never
at this time of the year.
Like chiefcowboy said, it can get very cold on the top...even in the summer.
I got stuck on the top in a snow storm in, August, a few years ago.
I would suggest a warmer bag or lots of cold weather gear and be prepared
to wear your cold weather gear in your 30 degree bag.
I also would suggest sleeping in the hut....much warmer.
And yes, the sunrise and the sunset are spectacular....bring a camera.

BTW....I would not recommend sleeping on top or in the hut during a thunder
storm.....highest point in the lower 48 with lightning rods would most 
certainly
attract lightning.
I made that mistake a few years ago.
I was smart enough to leave the hut and seek shelter in a cave like crevis
about a 100 feet from the top, but dumb enough to stay on top during a 
thunder
storm.
Boy,....you can't belief how loud thunder is until it strikes a few feet 
from you.

Yes,...I have been known to do some dumb things.

JMT Reinhold
Your smart trail companion
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chiefcowboy wrote:

My first trip to Mount Whitney my partner talked me into camping on top.
Windy (and thus noisy) and very cold.  There are a couple of rock rings that
afford SOME protection, but all in all it was not a pleasant experience.

-----Original Message-----
From: Benjamin Grunbaum
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 7:24 AM
To:pct-l at backcountry.net  <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l>
Subject: [pct-l] Camping on Mount Whitney

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