Most people tackle Mt Whitney as a 22 mile round-trip day hike. It sounds long but is
very doable with the proper training
. Your chances for getting a permit on the day hike are also generally the best. There’s also a great sense of accomplishment in hiking Mt Whitney in a day.
Can a beginner climb Mount Whitney?
I highly recommend following at least a basic training plan to prepare for Mt. Whitney
, since it is a long hike and a 14er. Doing training hikes for a few months before your trip, while ramping up mileage and elevation gain each week, is a great way to increase your fitness level for hiking Mt. Whitney.
How long does it take to climb Mt. Whitney in May?
You can attempt to do the hike in one day (I think the average time for this is around
16-18 hours
) or you can break it up into multiple days by camping on the mountain.
How many miles is the hike up Mt. Whitney?
The Mount Whitney Trail is a trail that climbs Mount Whitney. It starts at Whitney Portal, 13 miles (21 km) west of the town of Lone Pine, California. The hike is about
22 mi (35 km)
round trip, with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet (1,860 m).
Can you climb Mt. Whitney without a permit?
You do need a permit to hike up Whitney and any nearby mountain in the summer
. If you don’t have a permit, rangers will cite you and turn you back.
Can you drive to the top of Mount Whitney?
There is more than one route to the summit of Mount Whitney
, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. The route from Whitney Portal is a little under 22 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 6,134 feet.
How much does it cost to climb Mt Whitney?
Taking on the famous hike to Mount Whitney — one of the best hikes in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and one of the best treks in the world —requires a permit. Permits are awarded on a random basis through a special lottery that takes place every year and costs
$15 per person
to apply.
Can you hike Mt Whitney in December?
Both offer unique challenges this time of year.
When you climb Whitney in winter, you are working for it by using winter climbing techniques, which makes the summit that much more special
. The 99 switchbacks which might as well be an escalator in the summer time, are completely covered in snow and ice in winter.
How do I train for the Whitney?
- Prepare by hiking 8-10 miles per week with 5000-6000 feet of elevation gain.
- Run 10-14 miles per week.
- Focus on building leg strength.
- Be able to carry a 40 lb pack for a two day climb.
Do you need oxygen to climb Mount Whitney?
Supplementary Oxygen is usually used at very high altitude, like above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) in the Himalayas.
It will do nothing for you on Mt. Whitney except waste your money
. The fastest cure for altitude sickness is to quickly go to a much lower altitude.
Is there snow on Mt. Whitney in June?
May and June –
There is always snow on Mt. Whitney in June, especially in early June
. Do not go in June or before unless you are prepared for mountaineering conditions. July – Depending on the snowpack, there still may be snow on the trail, but overall it should be clear.
How much water should I bring to Mt. Whitney?
Most people will drink between
5-7 liters
of water while hiking Mt. Whitney. DO NOT carry all of that at one time! Only hike with about 2-3 liters of water, then filter.
Are there bears on Mt. Whitney?
Whitney and the Whitney Portal area, like most of the Sierras are home to
many Black Bears
and a lot of Black Bear activity.
Can you climb Mt. Whitney?
Whitney. The trail gains over 6,200 feet of elevation before reaching the summit in Sequoia National Park.
The 22-mile round-trip hike will challenge even very fit hikers
.
Can you climb Mt. Whitney in the winter?
Whitney are required all year but
in the winter months from November 1st to May 1st
there is no quota or lottery and permits can be picked up at the ranger station in Lone Pine. Climbing Mt.
Is there cell phone service on Mt Whitney?
At the summit we were able to connect with family and friends. If you are in a position to be looking directly at one of the Lone Pine area cell towers, you might get a cell hit, but don’t count on it.
I was at the Portal a couple of weeks ago, and got service there
. I have Verizon and an S4 phone.
Do you need crampons for Mt. Whitney?
You should expect to need crampons
and an ice axe. Based on the record current snowpack in that area right now the section of the trail known as the “switchbacks” will just be an approximately 45+ degree snow and ice slog.
What should I wear to Mt Whitney?
- Base layer.
- Synthetic second/outer layer (pants that zip off to shorts are good)
- Fleece.
- Windbreaker.
- Light gloves.
- Sunglasses.
- Wind proof hat.
- Sock liners.
How tall is Mount Whitney in feet?
14,505′
Can you hike Whitney in April?
Whitney during the winter (technically early spring) month of April, when a permit isn’t required
. Of course, this meant hiking through snow and camping overnight in freezing temperatures.
Can you hike Mt. Whitney in February?
The hardest months are February and March when storms are typically at their peak
. You’ll have a better shot in December than January. Snowshoes will usually be required during these months (in addition to crampons & ice axe). These months are also often the coldest.
