[pct-l] Whitney boots

[JohnDRandall at aol.com (JohnDRandall@xxxxxxx)]

Whitney Portal to the top of the mountain consists of two completely 
different types of trails.   From the parking lot to Outpost Camp, then to Trail Camp, 
is a dirt trail with intermittant well-constructed riprap and staircases.   
Between Outpost and Trail camps there are sections where the trail crosses 
boulder outcroppings.   Lightweight running shoes will do just fine.  

Above Trail Camp there are 99 switchbacks which were blasted out of the side 
of the mountain.   It's a marvel of construction and very costly to maintain.  
As you can imagine, it's very rocky.   On some of the sections the trail 
consists of fist-sized chunks of granite, which means something more sturdy would 
be more comfortable and provide more ankle support.   On the other side, the 
section from Trail Crest down to Trail Junction, then up to the summit is more 
in line with the 99 switchbacks.
The last water can be found at roughly switchback #30 on the way up, although 
given that you're hiking in August, you might ask some of the folks coming 
down the mountain if the water is still flowing.

john randall