Mount Whitney – Winter!
Climbing Mount Whitney in winter is a big undertaking.
Climbing Mount Whitney in winter is a big undertaking. This challenging program takes longer than it would normally in the summer and you carry more gear to be sure that you have everything you need to survive and be comfortable. With heavier packs and formidable conditions you must have excellent fitness and a true spirit of mountaineering adventure to attempt this program. That being said, this is a great season to spend time in this special place. There are often less people on the mountain and depending on the conditions the snow provides great opportunities for travel that aren’t there in the summer. As in most things in life, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.
The dates we have scheduled here have a minimum of 2 to run and a maximum guiding ratio of 2:1.
Winter 2023 Dates:
– February 20-23
– March 17-20
As in most things in life, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.
Mount Whitney Mountaineers Route in Winter (14,505′)
Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 United States at 14,505 feet above sea level. The survey marker at the summit still says 14, 494 feet, but the latest surveys show it is higher than that. It is still not totally agreed upon what the mountain’s altitude is and much depends on what exactly is considered the “sea level” that will be used as the baseline. The consensus among surveyors seems to be that the elevation of Mt. Whitney will only be corrected upwards if at all in the years to come, and the mountain is in fact growing along with the rest of the range on a geologic time scale. We certainly hope though that we will see it rise enough in our lifetime that Sierra peaks like Mt. Barnard and Mt. Humphreys are raised to 14’er status. We just think that would be infinitely amusing (but did you really need another reason to go climb those amazing peaks?).
Almost named “Fisherman’s Peak” Mt. Whitney was first climbed in 1873 by the “fishermen”; John Lucas, Charles Begole and Albert H. Johnson. The local Paiute Indians, named Mt. Whitney, Too-man-go-yah- (the very old man) and as legend has it a Great Spirit lives inside the mountain and watches over the people from his high perch. People of all ability levels flock to stand on its broad summit. The overwhelming majorities stumble to the top via the Mount Whitney Trail. In the summer months it is not uncommon to have several hundred bleary-eyed people talking on cell phones and making movies on the summit. From the east the peak is much quieter and looks much more impressive guarded by its sheer granite walls. We offer trips on several different east side routes including the Mountaineer’s Route, the East Face, and the East Buttress. The latter two are some of the best 5.7 alpine climbs in the range for rock quality and aesthetics of position.
Climbing Mount Whitney in winter is a big undertaking. This challenging program takes longer than it would normally in the summer as you have to carry more gear to be sure that you have everything you need in order to survive and be comfortable. With heavier packs and formidable conditions you must have excellent fitness and a true spirit of mountaineering adventure to attempt this program. That being said, this is a great season to spend time in this special place. There are often less people on the mountain and depending on the conditions the snow provides great opportunities for travel that aren’t there in the summer. As in most things in life, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.
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Included
alpineclimbclimbingEast ButtressEast FacemountaineeringMountaineers RouteMt. RussellMt. Whitneyrockwinter -
Not Included
14ers3D chute3rd pillar3rd Pillar DanaAIAREAIARE 1AIARE 2AlaskaAlaska skiingalpine climbingalpine rock climbingAlpsAlps climbingAlps runningAlps skiingAlps trilogyAmerican Mountain Guides AssociationAMGAavalanche awarenessavalanche coursebackcountrybackcountry 101backcountry skiBackcountry Skiingbackcountry snowboardbackpackingBear Creek SpireBerner OberlandBernese OberlandBishopBishop SkylineBlacksmith PeakBloody MountainBreakthroughBridgeportCaliforniaCalifornia fourteenerscampingCardinal PinnacleCarson PeakCelestial AretesChamonixChamonix climbingCharlotte Domechefclassic rock climbclassic Sierra rockclimbing campclimbing skillsclimbing Swiss AlpsClyde MinaretConvict Creekcookcoursescourses instructioncramponCrest tourCrystal Cragcustomcustom private skiDana PlateaudestinationsDevil's SlideDolomitesDolomites climbingDouble Eagle ResortDream BowlEastern Sierra climbingEastern Sierra skiingEastern Sierra WinterEigerEvolution LoopexamfastpackingFishhook AreteFour SeasonsFranceGlass CreekGrindelwaldguide courseHaute Routeheli assistedheli skiingHemlock RidgeHigh SierraHigh Sierra skiinghigh tourhikingHorse CreekhorsesHorsetail FallsHut to Hutice 101ice axeice climbingice climbing courseIncredible Hulkinstructionintermediate levelinternationalintroductoryintroductory ice climbing courseItalyJohn Muir TrailJohn Muir WildernessJune LakeJune MountainJungfrauKautz Glacierkidskids climbing programsLas Vegaslee viningLee Vining arealee vining canyonlevel 1level 1 refresherlevel 2light and fastlightweightLone PineLone Pine PeakLovers LeapMammoth LakesMammoth Lakes to YosemiteMammoth MountainMammoth to JuneMammoth to YosemiteMatterhornMatterhorn PeakMcGee CreekMerriam Peakmixed climbingMonchMont BlancMont Blanc runMount ConnessMount DanaMount EmersonMount GabbMount HumphreysMount MillsMount Rainiermountain runningMt ConnessMt. DanaMt. EmersonMt. HumphreysMt. SillMt. TomMt. WinchellmulesmultidaynegativesNevadaNorth PalisadeNorth Peaknorth ridgeonion valley to mt. whitneyOrtlerOwens River Gorgepack outfitpack supportpackerspalisadesPalisades Glacier Camppeak descentsPeter CroftPine CreekPolemonium PeakportersPositive Vibrationsprivateprivate customprofessional developmentRed and White MountainRed Dihedralred rockRed Slate Mountainrescue skillsRitter Rangerock 201rock climbingRock CreekRock Creek to MammothSabre RidgeSan Joaquin RidgeSawtoothsself arrestself belayself rescueSequoia National ParksherpasSierraSierra 5.10sierra alpineSierra Mountain GuidesSierra NevadaSierra skiingsingle pitch instructorskiski guidingski mountaineeringski tourski touringskiingsnowsnow skillssnowboardSPIsplitboardsportsport climbingStarlight PeaksupportedSwitzerlandTahoeTemple Cragthird pillarThompson PassThunderbolt PeakTiogatrad climbingtrail runningtraverseTuolumneTwin LakesUltra Trail Mont BlancultralightValdezVia Ferratawhite linewilderness tripYosemiteyosemite national parkYosemite skiYost MeadowZermattZermatt Valley
TRIP ITINERARY
Winter WhitneyDAY 1
Meet early morning in Lone Pine. Gear check and final packing. Car shuttle and parking below winter road closure. Hike and or snowshoe to Lower Boyscout Lake (10,200').DAY 2
Move to High Camp between Upper Boyscout Lake and Iceberg Lake (11,900')DAY 3
Summit Mt. Whitney (14,505') via the Mountaineers Route and descend back to High Camp.DAY 4
Descend back to the cars and celebrate in Lone Pine.Prerequisites:
- Prior ice axe and crampon skills
- Good overall fitness
- Ability to carry up to a 45lb. pack for 6-8 hours a day
Included:
- AMGA trained and/or certified guide
- Dinners and Breakfasts while on the trip
- Group equipment (Tents, ropes, cooking gear)
Not Included:
- Snacks, lunches, or hot drinks of your preference.
- Transportation to and from location
- Any rental equipment needed