At 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the high point of the lower 48 states and a goal of virtually every mountaineer. In summer the summit is often crowded with excited climbers calling home on their cell phones and marmots cadging scraps from those lolling in the warm sun.
However, winter is a totally different story!
In the “off season,” Mt. Whitney becomes a remote and difficult ascent. Few people are willing to take the chance of putting in a lot of work into a climb, only to be turned back by weather, avalanche conditions and deep snow. But for those who want to test themselves and see how they do in this difficult environment, Mt. Whitney offers a great climb and an adventure that is unique in California.
For over-the-snow travel we recommend snowshoes for most people. Skiing with a heavy pack in variable snow requires very advanced ski techniques. We do not like to have split groups with some people on skis and some on snowshoes because of the different rates of travel.
Each day weather conditions, avalanche danger and group ability will be assessed to make informed decisions. A full itinerary cannot be guaranteed in advance; you need to be flexible as we play it day by day.
