SoSHR: Helmet for Mountaineers’ Route?

[TFTF]

I (with a small group) am planning to hike the southern half of the Southern Sierra High Route, which includes the Whitney Mountaineers’ Route, in late July. (Am assuming no snow then, but will confirm.) People doing the MR as a stand-alone trip seem to advise using a helmet. On the other hand, trip reports on the SoSHR seem to indicate most people doing the whole route don’t carry them. Looking for input from folks who have done the MR, either as part of the SoSHR or not, as to whether you would advise carrying one. Thank you!

[c9h13no3]

When I did it, it was 90% snow covered, but the 10% that wasn't was certainly loose. Given the route sees a lot of traffic, and you're not solo, I'd personally want a helmet at least so you don't have to go one at a time or do other things to mitigate the hazard. There didn't seem to be a ton of natural rockfall though (only 1 or 2 rocks on top of the snow), and if your time table is flexible, could be done without a brain bucket.

Seems weird to do the MR with an overnight pack, but idk, people do weird stuff.

[balzaccom]

Do you wear a helmet when you ride a bike? If I were doing this with a bunch of climbers, I would want to know that they were wearing helmets--for the reasons above. Many hands make rocks fall.

[Wandering Daisy]

It is your life, your head, your decision. I have descended the Mountaineers Route twice after east face climbs and had a helmet because we really needed it on the technical climbs. My question is why do you want to do this route in the first place? I would do it as a stand-alone trip some other time and take a helmet. When I did it, what I really wanted were crampons or spikes. Once in the shade it gets very icy. Are you taking spikes for the SoSHR?

If you plan on other peak bagging and routes with loose rock, then perhaps a lightweight helmet would be worth the weight. My climbing helmet weighed very little, so I always took it. By the way, bicycle helmets and climbing helmets are designed for different types of head protection. If you are going to carry a helmet, get a climbing helmet.

[balzaccom]

By the way, bicycle helmets and climbing helmets are designed for different types of head protection. If you are going to carry a helmet, get a climbing helmet.

If this was directed at my comment, I should clarify that I wasn't suggesting the OP wear a cycling helmet to climb rocks. I was suggesting that if you regularly cycle without a helmet, then that's a good indicator of your risk tolerance...

(edited for additional clarity--I wear a helmet when cycling.)

[Silky Smooth]

Bring a helmet, its sh*t show on whitney even on the MR and lots of loose rocks. Don't be another statistic on whitney. Safety first, team work second, high fives third, is my motto.

[TFTF]

When I did it, it was 90% snow covered, but the 10% that wasn't was certainly loose. Given the route sees a lot of traffic, and you're not solo, I'd personally want a helmet at least so you don't have to go one at a time or do other things to mitigate the hazard. There didn't seem to be a ton of natural rockfall though (only 1 or 2 rocks on top of the snow), and if your time table is flexible, could be done without a brain bucket.

Seems weird to do the MR with an overnight pack, but idk, people do weird stuff.

Thanks for the beta. As for it being weird to do something with an overnight pack, those who live in glass houses probably shouldn't throw stones.

[TFTF]

Do you wear a helmet when you ride a bike? If I were doing this with a bunch of climbers, I would want to know that they were wearing helmets--for the reasons above. Many hands make rocks fall.

I do! Then again, when I ride a bike, I'm typically just heading out for a ride. A more pertinent question might be, if I were going to hike for several days to a place where a bike was waiting for me, grab the bike and ride it a couple of miles, and then get off it and hike for several more days, would I carry a helmet the whole way just for those couple of miles? I'm not sure. I might seek out a community that was familiar with the conditions, and ask their advice before deciding. Thanks for being part of that community.

[TFTF]

My question is why do you want to do this route in the first place? I would do it as a stand-alone trip some other time and take a helmet. When I did it, what I really wanted were crampons or spikes. Once in the shade it gets very icy. Are you taking spikes for the SoSHR?

We all have our reasons, don't we? My question is, would my reasons for wanting to do this route change the advice you would offer?

But thanks. We'll make a game-time decision on crampons/spikes depending on the conditions. I'm thinking we'll be late enough in the season that we won't need them, but we'll see. (And don't worry, I won't bring a bike helmet!)

[TFTF]

Bring a helmet, its sh*t show on whitney even on the MR and lots of loose rocks. Don't be another statistic on whitney. Safety first, team work second, high fives third, is my motto.

Good motto.