Climb Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineer’s Route Summer/Fall, 3 days

Question 1

Can I join a group?

Answer

Yes, most of our departures are group trip with up to 6 clients with 2 guides - Custom trips are available for groups of 2-9

Question 2

Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?

Answer

SWS Mountain Guides highly suggest trip cancellation insurance for your climb.

Question 3

What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?

Answer

Climbing Mt Whitney is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It requires both physical and mental

toughness. Listed below are the minimum physical requirements we would expect for all of our clients

before they show up to climb Mt Whitney via the mountaineer’s route:

1. Be able to maintain 185 to 215 meters (600-700 feet) per hour climbing pace AND be

able to maintain this pace for 1-hour increments.

2. Carry a 15-18 kilogram (35-40 pound) pack

3. Be able to move efficiently off of maintained trails on scree and talus, using large step-ups and

step-downs, and some movements requiring the whole body while carrying a pack.

4. A guest who can do 235 meters per hour / 750 feet per hour with a loaded pack (11-14 kilos/ 25-30

lbs) on a stair stepper should have the fitness to climb Mt. Whitney.

5. Plus, weekend hikes 12-16 kilometers (8-10 miles) with a loaded pack (11-14 kilos/ 25-30 lbs)

over the hilliest terrain a guest has access to is also an excellent training tool.

6. Time to basecamp on Whitney is 4-6 hours and time to the summit from basecamp is 4-6 hours.

Question 4

Is this the Mt Whitney Trail Hike?

Answer

This is NOT THE MT WHITNEY TRAIL HIKE - no guide services are allowed to guide on the Mt Whitney Trail. Our route is the Mountaineer's Route to the Summit via the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek - Whitney Portal Trailhead

Question 5

What is the Elevation Gain and Loss during the trip?

Answer

Day One: Whitney Portal Trailhead - 8,374 ft to 11,000 ft – 2,626 ft / 800 meters elevation gain

Day Two: High Camp to Mt Whitney Summit: 11,000 ft to 14,505 ft. – 4,505 ft /1,070 meters elevation

gain / plus 4,505 ft / 1,070 meters of elevation loss. Total elevation gain and loss: 9,010 / 2,136 meters

Day Three: High Camp to Whitney Portal: -- Elevation Loss: 2,626 / 800 meters

Question 6

Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?

Answer

You will need to bring your own sleeping bag, internal frame backpack, and mountaineering boots in the early season June - early July. Rentals are available: Sleeping bags ($42.00 for 2-3 days), Backpacks ($42.00 for 2-3 days) and Boots ($45.00 for 2-3 days)

Question 7

Is the $450 porter fee per day or for all 3 days?

Answer

The porter fee is $225 for a porter to carry up to 45 LBS from the trailhead to your camp location. It would then be another $225 if you wanted a porter for the way out also. Your porter will not be on the trip for the duration but only will be there to haul gear from and to the trailhead to and from camp. So, if you wanted a porter to carry gear from the trailhead to your camp only it would be $225. If you also want a porter for the way out, and to carry gear from camp back to the trailhead, it will be an additional $225, and $450 if you want a round-trip porter.

Question 8

What happens in the event of bad weather?

Answer

Due to bad weather or other unpredictable circumstances, SWS Mountain Guides keeps the right to reschedule courses or climbs. A credit or partial credit will be provided for climbs during or within 24 hours of the course start dates. The climbing guide and the director(s) of SWS Mountain Guides will make the final decision.

Question 9

What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?

Answer

Guide to client ratio of 1:3

Question 10

What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?

Answer

Mt Whitney Summer Ascents are best June through September

Question 11

Any suggestions for where to stay the night before and the night after the hike?

Answer

Lone Pine is a small town that is easy to get to but doesn't have much outside access to Mt. Whitney, great rock climbing, and bouldering to keep people in the area. It's still very much an 'out west' sort of town where everyone knows everyone. Because of the town's size, and the seasonal influx of people who come to climb, it has some smaller hotels, Airbnb's, and a climber hostel, but lacks the larger more mainstream hotel chains.

Question 12

Do you usually need an ice ax for an August hike?

Answer

Generally no, but this year could be different. We won't know until we see how summer goes, and how quickly (or slowly) the snow on the mountain melts. If we do need an ice axe and crampons though, they would be provided in the trip cost. You wouldn't need to worry about renting them for the trip.

Question 13

Do you have open Group Dates for this program?

Answer

Yes, we do! We have a few spots left for the following open group dates:

- June 9th to 11th

- June 13th to 15th

- June 17th to 19th

- June 20th to 22nd

You can also inquire about the following dates:

- June 27th to 29th

- August 19th to 21st

- September 5th to 7th

Question 14

Where could we keep our extra luggage while hiking?

Answer

If you're staying at the same hotel after your climb, they're typically okay with having guests leave them there. If not, then we have a small amount of limited space, but generally, if you don't have food, it's best to keep them in your vehicle. Food is not to be left in the vehicle though, but they do have bear lockers at the parking area where you can leave any food items while you're on your climb. With the parking area being at higher elevations, the temperatures are generally not as hot as down in down, though I wouldn't suggest having computers, or anything that could be damaged by any hot temperatures in your vehicle during the climb.

Question 15

How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?

Answer

We provide a selection of breakfast items including hot cereal, coffee, teas, hot coco and a selection of freeze dried dinners are provided. We can accommodate most dietary needs.