I have 4 permits for a Mount Whitney summit on Sunday, Sept. 6th with one night (Sept. 5th) of backpacking on trail. I also reserved a nearby campground (Lone Pine) for the nights before and after (Sept. 4th and 6th).
The Mount Whitney Trail is a hiking trail that climbs Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. It starts at Whitney Portal, 13 miles west of the town of Lone Pine, California. The hike is 21.4 mi round trip, with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet. This is an extremely difficult hike and entirely a high altitude trip, with the trail starting at an elevation of 8,365 feet, camping one night at 11,686 feet, and reaching 14,505 feet for the Mt Whitney Summit. I will only offer spots to individuals who are very strong backpackers and have recent experience doing high altitude hikes. Preference will be given to those of you that I have hiked with in the past. Everyone will be placed on the waitlist until vetted.
We will car camp at Lone Pine Campground on Friday and Sunday nights and will backpack one night along the Mount Whitney Trail, staying at Consultation Lake on Saturday night. We will get a middle of night start (or very early morning, depending on how you look at it 😆) for our Mount Whitney summit and plan to be at the top by sunrise. We can leave tents and backpacking equipment at Consultation Lake during our summit hike and will then return, pack up camp, and hike back down to the trailhead and return to Lone Pine Campground for another night of car camping (only 2 vehicles allowed at campsite so will have to leave any additional vehicles in Lone Pine and shuttle to campground).
2 nights camping @ Lone Pine ($27.5) + Whitney Permit ($16.5) + $2 club fees for non organizers for a total of $46pp (or $44pp if you are an ABC event organizer).
- I will message individuals who are being offered a spot with the payment detail. Fees will be refunded only if you cancel 2+ weeks before trip start date AND I'm able to get someone to take your place on the trip.
No kids, no pets.
Itinerary:
Friday, Sept. 4 - travel to Lone Pine Campground, camp here for the night
Saturday, Sept. 5 - Backpack Mt Whitney Trail from Mt Whitney Portal Trailhead to Consultation Lake (6 miles, elevation gain 3400 feet), camp here for night
Sunday, Sept. 6 - early start to Mt Whitney summit hike, targeting a sunrise summit (hike start time 1:30am, sunrise will be at 6:29am); after summit, head back to Consultation Lake to pack up camp and make the hike back out to Mt Whitney Portal Trailhead; return to Lone Pine Campground to camp for the night (16 miles, 2805 feet elevation gain and then 6100+ feet elevation loss)
Monday, Sept. 7th - leave Lone Pine campground, head home
WAIVER, RELEASE, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
All hikers/ backpackers show up at your own risk.
Neither this group nor myself take any responsibility for any health risks that might happen during this event. When you RSVP you are accepting these terms upon yourself. By attending any group hike you agree to the following:
I hereby waive, release, and discharge the Meetup Group and its Administrators, moderators, volunteers, organizers, sponsors, members, and participants from any and all claims for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from my participation in any of this group's events. I acknowledge that hiking/backpacking can be a high-risk sport. I realize there are certain dangers inherent in hiking, and I assume these risks with the full understanding that injuries may result from my participation in any event. I intend this release to discharge the above named from any and all liability arising from or connected in any way with my participation in any event, even though that liability may result from the negligence or carelessness of the above named. I certify that I am in good physical condition, and that I am able to participate in the event.
I have read this waiver and release and fully understand its terms and agree that it shall be binding on my heirs and assigns. I consent to emergency transportation and care at my own expense if I become injured or ill. My RSVP and/or participating in this event is my signature on this waiver.
