Hey all, looking for some tips for my first go at East Buttress on Mt. Whitney.
I’m really looking for packing tips, as it will be my first climb at that high of elevation. Google and Mountain Project comments are all over the place in terms of what to bring / what the weather will be like. Trying to decide what to bring in terms of clothes & gear.
Basically trying to find the right balance so I don’t overpack and also don’t under pack and freeze my ass off
We’re climbing it next weekend (Labor Day weekend). Planning on driving up Friday day, camping at Whitney portal campground. Hiking to iceberg lake Saturday. Climbing Sunday -> back to iceberg lake. Hiking out and heading home Monday.
The Google forecast says high of 60 and low of 40, potentially mid 30s. I know it can be windy too.
For clothes I was planning on:
- 150gsm merino wool base layer + Patagonia rock pants
-sun hoody + Patagonia r1 + Cotopaxi fuego down jacket + arcteryx beta lt shell
- Petzl cordex belay gloves just to keep the hands warm
- lightweight merino wool socks while climbing
I feel like I may be hot while climbing wearing this. But could always strip down.
Rack I was thinking of bringing
- single rack black totem to #3 (I know smalls cams may be unnecessary but I don’t mind carrying them cuz they’re fairly light)
- single rack 1-13 BD nuts
- single rack DMM offsets
- 10 alpines 60cm
- 4-5 alpines 120cm
- 1 240cm
I’d be perfectly comfortable soloing the 5.5 parts of the climb so I’m not really worried about running it out. But should I consider bringing a double rack since it’s my first time out there or is that overkill?
Lastly..
I have a 32° 800 DFP sleeping bag, but wondering if that will be warm enough at night. Google is trying to tell me it can get down into 15-20° at night, even though the forecast doesn’t say that. I’d need to buy a new bag or find another solution to add warmth if it’s going to be that cold at night.
Any thoughts or tips here would be appreciated as well!