Mt. Whitney East Face--climbable in spring?

[scheissami]

So...

 

Have a few days off the first week of May and was considering this as a possibility. Any opinions on whether it'd be dry? I suppose the approach and descent could still be quite snowy--would I need pons and axe?

 

[fheimerd]

I heard they are having an extremely low snow year so I bet it would be climbable especially if you don't mind the odd snowy ledge or frozen crack.

 

ANother one to check out is the winter route on lone pine peak...I think I read a good report on summitpost for this one

 

but before you go I want my hat back. I almost got snowblind in Canada and had to resort to skiing with a evergreen branch dangling in front of my glacier glasses.

[scheissami]

That sounds hot...did you install the branch by running into trees (that's how I'd do it) or was this a deliberate, stylish choice?

 

I'm around the rest of the week, just holla at me.

[fgw]

did it (east butt) in late may 3 or 4 years ago. i was very happy to have poons & ax on way down (next day some dude hiked up/down mounties route with tennies & a hiking pole though - so what do i know)

[dan_forester]

I almost got snowblind in Canada and had to resort to skiing with a evergreen branch dangling in front of my glacier glasses.

 

how did you attach said branch? photographic evidence or diagram please.

[syudla]

The winter route on LPP is already melted out this year. Whitney EF is very doable in early May.Pons is prolly a good call.

[fheimerd]

used a my balaclava wrapped around my head like a headband and then shoved the evergreen branch under it so that it hung down over my face.

 

I would provide a picture but the rights have already been sold to several major gear distributors. Look for it coming soon to a gear shop near you.