Mount Whitney (11x)

Up Mountaineers Route
Down Main Trail

05/28/2006

Having abandoned a summit attempt on Saturday due to excessive wind I tried once again on Sunday (6/28) for a dayhike under better conditions.  Still tired from the day before and still short on sleep I got a late start.  I left the Portal at 5:13am with just enough light to not need a headlamp.  On the positive side I knew from the day before that with the low temps the snow should stay firm later into the day than usual.  I reached Iceberg Lake in just under my 3 hour goal (it had taken 5 hours the day before).  I was apparently moving faster than I felt.  After a break I began ascending the east chute.  I still felt sluggish.  Like my last time in April (which took 6.5 hours) I was the first in the chute for the day.  Last time I spent about an hour kicking steps above the notch knowing that others behind me would benefit.  This time I kicked steps only when absolutely necessary and even climbed on all fours.  I was a bit surprised when I realized I had made the summit in 4 hours 35 minutes from the Portal (having been on crampons since LBSL).  On top I warmed up by the hut and shot the usual set of photos before heading down the main trail.  The quaility of the snow was excellent all day and was pretty much continuous down to Lone Pine Lake.  I crossed paths with Daryl Hinman on the way out and we hiked down to the Portal together.  The hike down the main trail from the summit took a little under 4 hours.  I'm pleased to report Doug's burgers are as good as ever!  Another fine day and I was even home by 6pm.

Log

05:13am - Left Trailhead
05:28am - Reached North Fork Junction
05:56am - Reached E-Ledges
06:25am - Reached LBSL
06:31am - Stopped to gear up
06:45am - Started up again
07:17am - Reached UBSL
08:06am - Reached Iceberg Lake
08:16am - Left Iceberg Lake
09:24am - Reached the Notch
09:48am - Reached Whitney Summit

10:13am - Left Summit
11:23am - Reached Trail Crest
11:40am - Began Descent from Trail Crest
12:10pm - Reached Trail Camp
01:08pm - Passed by Lone Pine Lake
01:46pm - Reached North Fork Junction
02:02pm - Returned to Trailhead

Stats

Time from Portal to LBSL: 1 hr 12 mins
Time from Portal to UBSL: 2 hrs 5 mins
Time from Portal to Iceberg Lake: 2 hrs 53 mins
Time from Portal to Summit: 4 hrs 35 mins
Time on Summit: 25 mins
Time from Summit to Portal (Main Trail): 3 hrs 51 mins
Total Time: 8 hrs 51 mins