What Should I Bring When Hiking Mt. Whitney In Late May?
Is there a chance there won’t be any snow? I have all the winter gear I need I just want to know if an ice axe and crampons are always needed during that time of the year. I am taking the Mt. Whitney trail.
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Snowpack in the Sierra is well above average this year. I would say that it is almost certain that there will be snow on Whitney in May. I would take an ice axe and crampons. Even if you end up not needing them, it’s better to have them and not use them than to need them and not have them.
Edit…I’m going to have to disagree with Tahoe T here. The section of the trail above Trail camp (with the 90+ switchbacks) could be completely snow covered in May, given the snow pack and the early season. It is possible that an ice axe (at least) would be necessary to safely negotiate this section of the trail up to Trail Crest. My son did this in July 2005 (A HUGE snow year) and needed an axe to get up to Trail Crest. Again, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
You should only need an ice axe if you are doing the “Mountaineer’s Route” – the regular trail may have snow on it, but you won’t need an axe or crampons.
It is always a choice between going light and fast or taking a lot of extra stuff that slows you down. I would say this would be the very minimum:
– Really good GoreTex boots and small gators
– Good pair of nylon hiking pants
– Synthetic long johns,
– Synthetic / wool blend socks
– Synthetic long sleeve shirt
– Fleece jacket
– Very light (1 pound) GoreTex jacket.
You should also bring food, water, a headlamp, and an emergency blanket / poncho in a backpack.
You may be wearing all of these clothes when you start out in the morning and may have to remove some depending on conditions. I have been at the top of Whitney in mid August and been in a snow storm so you would be better off to prepare for some real weather.
Good Luck
Bring some cinnamin roll poptarts. That is the only junk food that I eat and I love them. You should bring some with you.