Basic Alpine Climb - High Sierra - Mount Russell and Mount Whitney

Priority registration for Tacoma Climbing community until 4/16/2025.

While not considered a technical climbing route, early season ascents of the Mountaineers Route have challenges similar to summer climbs of Mt Rainier, except crevasses. Climbers can expect icy conditions requiring ice ax and crampons, exposure, and significant routefinding challenges. Participants should be basic climbing course graduates.

Tentative Itinerary:
May 14: Meet in Lone Pine (location TBD); shuttle to Whitney Portal Trailhead; hike to Iceberg Lake  to camp.
May 15: Climb Mountaineers Route to Mt Whitney summit; descend climbing route to Iceberg Lake to camp.
May 16: Climb Mt Russell/East Ridge; decend climbing route to Upper Boy Scout Lake to camp.
May 17: Decamp; decend to Whitney Portal; shuttle to Lone Pine.

Equipment: anticipate snowshoes and crampons

Fees apply: overnight camping: $12/person; Whitney summit permit: $6/person; trailhead shuttle: TBD

Meeting time/place TBD. Anticipate  gathering at  Whitney Portal trailhead 9:00am, May 14.  Planning  shuttle service to trailhead for all participants, cost TBD.