Mt. Whitney, Mountaineers Route

In order to do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic this event is cancelled. Current RSVPs will be intact if it can be rescheduled. MAA will continue to monitor conditions and update event status accordingly.

Join MAA members on Mt. Whitney to climb the classic Mountaineers Route. This popular climb involves 1,500 of steep snow climbing and 500' of Class 3 rock climbing to gain the 14,505 summit. It's a 3-day itinerary to climb the 6,000' total elevation and provide time to acclimatize and to accommodate for poor weather. Prior experience climbing steep snow and winter camping required. Loaner gear may be available. We have room for 6. Hope to have you out with us!

SCREENED EVENT: Please join the waitlist. Attendees will be selected based on skill proficiency and experience shown on their MAA profile. Those registered will be notified. Thank you!

DETAILS:

• What's happening: Climb Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineers Route, starting from Whitney Portal 8,374' to 14,505'. Class 3, Grade III, steep snow and rock scrambling, with potential rappelling on the descent
• Where to meet: Whitney Portal Hostel in Lone Pine at 5:00 pm on Friday, April 17th.
• Event Leader: Waide Lewis, (573) 541-5415, Waide_Lewis@yahoo.com
• Minimum / Maximum: 4,10
• What to bring: Warm, stormproof layers for upper and lower body. 2 pair socks and gloves, warm headwear, sunglasses, gaiters. Belay device, prusik, 2 locking and 2 non-locking carabiners, 2 runners, lightweight harness, helmet, warm mountain boots, crampons fit to your boots, mountain axe, food for 2 nights / 3 days, waterbottles, spoon, cup, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking pole(s). Technical equipment such as rope, rock and snow protection, and stove, pots, fuel and tents may be supplied by MAA or from the group. Bring what you have of these items and we'll select the group gear. Plan for about 10 liters of space and up to 10 lbs for group gear. 
• Medical: If you have any medical conditions pertinent to your participation on this event, please inform the event leaders after registration.

• DAY 1, Friday: Meet in Lone Pine at the Whitney Portal Hostel at 5:00 pm. Dinner, logistics, packing.  
• DAY 2, Saturday: Drive up the road to trailhead at Whitney Portal, hike up Whitney trail to the Lone Pine Creek junction. Go up Lone Pine Creek trail to Ebersbacher Ledges (or if winter route is possible, stay in the creek bottom) and continue to Upper Boy Scout Lake. Establish camp. Total elevation gain approx. 3,500'
• DAY 3, Sunday: With a pre-dawn start, ascend snow/rock up to Iceberg Lake, then up the chute to the shelf at 14,000, then up to summit. Descend the same way. Ropes may need to be used for the ascent or the descent. Total elevation gain approx. 2,500'.
• DAY 4, Monday: Return to the trailhead. Or contingency for bad weather.

• This event is free of charge. MAA receives no direct financial gain for organizing and supporting this event. Donations are not solicited on this event, nor is any exchange of money a requirement for participation.

• This event is open to all Apex, Base, and free Associate members - paid membership is not a requirement of attendance. 

• MAA is a 100% volunteer-run, federal and state recognized 501(c)7 not-for-profit membership organization and does not seek or realize a profit from organizing this event; all membership benefits, liability insurance, website, database, administrative costs and all expenses are supported solely through membership, not event fees.

• MAA event leaders are experienced members who are board-approved and volunteer to host the event as a representative of MAA, but are not operating as a guide or compensated as a guide - all participants on the event share responsibility for the safety, decisions, and actions of the group.

• Accordingly, the physical demands, required skills or technical terrain of some events require that we screen participants; individuals should join the waitlist to be considered for RSVP. The experience, skills and fitness in the MAA membership profile will be used to determine the suitability of each individual to the demands of that particular event.

• Participant safety is our top priority. Many circumstances such as mountain conditions, weather, or subjective hazards may necessitate changes to the published itinerary, including cancellation.

• As a private, non-commercial group we operate within the posted group size limits and regulations for this area.

• All MAA members are taught and practice Leave No Trace principles to be good stewards of wild places.

• The event begins and ends at the trailhead. MAA does not insure ridesharing or other travel arrangements and bears no responsibility for them. Carpooling, ride sharing, or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among individuals.

• MAA event leaders carry communication devices and a medical kit; The primary event leader at a minimum has current wilderness first aid and CPR training as well as MAA policy training.