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Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:14 pm
by frediver
Can anyone recommend a a decent overnight camp spot on/near the main Whitney trail as close to the switchbacks as possible, we have a one night permit. Any chance this spot will have any natural shelter? I know the selection is limited due to overuse but I also have a bud that sometimes over estimates :), we are traveling from S.F. and have 4 total days.
I have many of the Whitney books but first hand from members here IMO is much better.
July 3/4 are the dates
Thanks,

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:36 pm
by JMat
Congrats on getting your permit!!! I did my first trip with packmule August 2008

Alot of what you end up doing wll have to do with your conditioning. I would make sure you have at least one night staying at Whitney Portal Campground before your hike, it's about 8k in elevation and may help with altitude a little since it looks like you're coming up from sea level.

Trail Camp will probably be where you spend the night... It's about 6.3 miles in, it's just below the start of the switchbacks and it also has a good water supply. As for shelter, though... You may be able to find windscreens that people have built or you might be able to tuck yourself behind a rock but plan on the fact that your tent will be your only shelter.

There's one thing for sure... You'll never be lonely on your hike so make sure you start early for a better chance at a decent campsite.

I'm sure you'll get alot more input, too. Good Luck!!!

John

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:39 pm
by hikerduane
Yea, I'm sure you will want some shelter, they are supposed to have taken the toliets out, so you'll get to use your Wag bags.:) I bagged the peak by lunch time, starting out at the Portal at 5:00 AM in late Sept. I didn't think the switchbacks were that bad, I was tired though when I hit the other side and had to go up some more.

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 5:17 pm
by Snow Nymph
Toilets are gone. Lots of places to camp at Trail camp, and lots of people. Towards the end of the JMT, we camped by Consultation Lake. There's a little more privacy there. Good luck!

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:05 pm
by LarBear
As Snow Nympg says Whitiney is mobbed. It's hard to find a place to poop and put it into your plastic baggie. The best bet is to go onto the plateau between Consutation Lake and Trail Camp. There are a multitude of draws (arroyos) there wuth nice sandy bottoms and walls that shield you from the wind and people. The only caveat is not to camp in the draws if rain is in the forecast. Then camp on the plateau and use the draws as your private spot.

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:06 pm
by Ikan Mas
Labor Day, 2009, Trail Camp, mid morning: The scene was one of desperate people, carrying wagbags, searching for that private spot for a very private matter. I,fortunately, had made use of the facilities at the Portal. My buddy, had not. He went over the rise and found what he thought was a somewhat private spot. He finished and then turned to find his way blocked by another in the act. He couldn't climb over the rock that shielded him and was forced to stand and wait for the blocking party to finish the "paperwork". Not a pretty scene.

Here it is. You can see the desparate searchers among the rocks.
Image

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 11:36 pm
by Steve_C
frediver wrote:July 3/4 are the dates
Frediver, congrats on the permit. That should be a memorable experience climbing Whitney on July 4! Since you have 4 days, consider driving up to Horseshoe Meadows and spending the first night camped at 10,000 ft. That will definitely help the acclimation. And you don't HAVE to get as high as possible the first day with full backpacks. Many people have good experiences backpacking only to Outpost Camp, and hiking to the summit from there -- less altitude issues, since you aren't sleeping nearly as high.

And your overnight permit reservation can be used for MORE than one night -- there is no extra charge or anything. The permit is only to start your trip on a particular day.

And for everyone: I posted an update from Inyo National Forest here:
Permit Lottery progress report as of March 25

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 2:59 am
by frediver
I am confused, are you saying this permit will allow me to stay longer, I don't need to leave on the 4th? I thought the Whitney area governed exit dates as well as entry?

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:38 am
by Steve_C
frediver, you now have a reservation for a permit to enter the Whitney main trail on July 3 as an overnight backpacker. Even though the permit application has an exit date spot, you are NOT held to that date. When you go in to pick up the actual permit, you can say you want to stay longer, and they'll just ask you to specify the new exit date. Period.

All the trail quotas are for date-of-entry only. Nobody keeps track of the exact numbers of people camping overnight in a specific area. I think they all agreed that would just be way to complicated to track and enforce.

Be sure you read the letter you received. I think you MUST pick up the permit by 9 AM, or it is given away to the walk-in people.

(I sure wish you were asking these questions over on Whitney Zone, too.)

Re: Got Whitney permit.

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 1:49 am
by frediver
It's late but I will copy and post, thanks for the idea.

Now another question.
Any recommendations for a decent overnight camp spot
on the way up the Whitney trail?
I would like to get just a bit farther than Outpost Camp but
Trail Camp sounds like a Mt. Slum, are there any other options,
I know that some areas are closed to overnights.