Mount Whitney via Main Trail 5.15.10

[NormaR]

I had not done a snow camp of Mount Whitney via the Main Trail so when Jim (Calicokat) invited me to join him and two of his friends, it was easy to say "Yes!"

On Friday 5/14/10 we had a nice relaxed hike from the Portal to Trail Camp via the Main Trail to Outpost Camp where we filled up and treated water. Bighorn Park, Outpost Camp and Wotan's Throne.


From Outpost Camp we took the winter snow traverse below Candlelight Peak, passing Consultation Lake to Trail Camp. I love the direct routes you are afforded in snow. It was a pleasant traverse and saved time.


We arrived at camp about 2pm which gave us plenty of time to dig a platform for our tent, melt snow for water and enjoy a gourmet dinner before the sun set over the Whitney Crest. Fresh steak, asparagus & rice.


Friday had been partially cloudy, but Saturday 5/15/10, we woke up to a bluebird day and enjoyed a great climb of the chute next to the swithbacks to Trail Crest. From Trail Crest we followed a nice boot track on the traverse of the backside.


Some sections were more exposed than others.


I arrived at the summit at 12:30 to perfect weather, still wearing just a long sleeved top.


We returned safely to Trail Camp and were treated to a beautiful evening and sunset over Mount Muir.


Sunday we followed the boot track back on the traverse to Outpost Camp and regained the Main Trail. On the traverse.


My companions during this great weekend: Jim, Mark and Paul. Thanks guys!


Rest of my pix are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ryan.norma8 ... ilMay2010#

[Cy Kaicener]

Thanks for the great pictures Norma. You sure are having a great year and getting around in fine style. (Tina also)

Kurt Wedberg took some good pictures on Mt Sill
http://sierramountaineering.com/blog/

[Ellen]

Howdy Norma

Congratulations -- your trip report and pictures are killing me. I want to beam myself up there right NOW.

What is your next adventure?

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[bluerail]

You dog, Norma...your killing me.

[NormaR]

Ellen,
it looks like our next adventure, Split, is going to be weathered out, just as Tina's has been. drat! the mountain will always be there, right? right!

Cy,
thanx for the link. that was nice to read. i still have not been up the north fork of Big Pine Creek yet. i really want to get up there and set my eyes on Temple Crag.

Bluerail,
Ruff, ruff!

[tinaballina]

You go girl....that pic of you on the summit, look how cute you look...love it.

[KathyW]

Norma - it looks like you had a great climb and your pictures are really nice - it's so beautiful with all the snow.

Thanks for sharing your pictures. I've been looking at as many current pictures as I can of the Sierra to try to get an idea of conditions. I'm going to finally make my first backpaking trip of the season to the Sierra over Memorial Day Weekend and I'm having a tough time deciding where to go. I guess I'll figure it out sometime this week.

Kathy

[guest]

Great TR Norma, your love of the mountains really comes across in your photos (& captions!).
You have a great eye (& must be a good camera too), love all the info on the different peaks etc.

Sometimes you meet very interesting folk in the mountains,.....that dog is a stud,(did she have booties on?) as is the guy on his 76th summit, (not to mention someone willing to take a photo in their tent at 1:30 in the morning!

The shots past Trail Crest are so majestic, really makes me want to be there, but at least we are able to experience it vicariously! It's like going to the movies, we get to hike a big Mt. from the comfort of our homes.

Happy climbing,

scott