Hello,
I have a permit to climb Mt. Whitney via Whitney Portal the 2nd week of June this year. This will be a day hike. I’m prepared with an ice axe, mountaineering boots, crampons and a helmet, as well as simple mountaineering skills like self arresting. I was hoping for a little bit more information on the conditions on the mountain currently, specifically if the switchbacks are still covered in snow and if I’ll have to climb via the Chute. Would anyone recommend any other equipment or if what I’m bringing is sufficient/too much?
Info would be much appreciated.
I've done Whitney in mid June before in a below average snow year, and the trail ("99 switchbacks" portion) was still covered in snow. Most people were doing essentially a directissimo from Trail Camp to Trail Crest.
This year is above average in terms of snow. Maybe it'll get really hot and melt out, but I would act under the assumption that you'll be going straight up (and down!) the drainage just north of the trail until you get a solid report that it's clear.
HJ