How to Climb Mt. Whitney: Everything You Need to Know About the Standard and Mountaineer's Routes

Mt. Whitney is at the top of the hiking bucketlist for any serious hiker. But, at 14,500 FT, getting to the Mt. Whitney summit is anything but easy. We've hiked and climbed this route enough times that we now have a ton of information to share about what we learned about how to hike Mt. Whitney.
In this video, we're covering:
-How the Mt. Whitney permit lottery works, how to get a permit, and some work-arounds for those of you like us that NEVER win any permit lottery ever
-How to Hike Mt. Whitney via the Mt. Whitney Trail (Standard Hiking Route up Mt. Whitney)
-How to climb the Mt. Whitney Mountaineer's route
Please note that this vide is intended for entertainment purposes only. Mt. Whitney is a challenging hike and it requires a TON of preparation, skills, gear, experience, etc.
Here is our video on how we train for high altitude hiking: • How We Train for High ...
Got questions? Let us know below!
00:00 Intro
00:56 How to Get A Mt. Whitney Permit
04:36 Mt. Whitney Standard Route Information
11:02 Mt. Whitney Mountaineer's Route Basic Info
15:50 Must Have Gear
19:13 Mountaineer's Route Trail Description
#hiking #mtwhitney #californiahiking

[@patrickleborio6305]

Super informative with the altitude acclimation, the water situation and filtering. Would not have even thought of that: use of the correct gear is huge. Thanks for sharing.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Patrick! Yes you are right about that -- the correct gear is everything, and what makes it hard it that the correct gear changes as the conditions change. That's why we sometimes end up just hauling crampons or snowshoes all the way up without using them, because we're just not sure if we'll need them or not. But as the saying goes, better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it! ❤️

[@K6ARK]

I think its important to discuss the need to train and build proficiency in self-arrest before tour trip, not just having/carrying an ice axe. Many just think they'll figure it out on the mountain, but with steep, icy slopes, being able to stop yourself if you trip or slip is critical. It needs to be something you can instantly do from muscle memory. It would be great to see what you do to practice that aspect of mountaineering.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes agreed -- self arrest must be from muscle memory and should also be pre-visualized in any situation where a slip is possible. With that said, one of the reasons the 400 is so scary is that it is so steep that self arrest likely would not help in certain places on that section. If someone falls and picks up momentum there they would probably not be able to slow down, so mistake-free ascending and descending technique is absolutely critical for that section. ❤️

[@RobRando927]

I have been watching your videos for several months now and re-joined to make comments.I think Mineral King in Cal should be on your agenda. My grandfather had a ranch up that road I used to visit.Walt Disney wanted to buy it in around 1970 for a ski resort but it never happened.I really like Elise.I just dont want her to get hurt.As for pop tarts I was eating blue berry but switched to rasberry before my bike rides.Scetchy,gnarley,and dicey is the way to go.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

We're in, Rob! The Mineral King loop is on the list for sure -- it looks amazing!! ❤️

[@ellenclary]

One last thing. You can have a glorious time on the Mountaineer's Route by just doing the two Boy Scout Lakes. You have perfect view of Whitney that the main trail does not have. We went to quite a bit of effort to get backpacks up and down the ledges, but it was so worth it to wake up to a view of Whitney.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Very true. The whole area around Whitney is amazingly beautiful, and it changes as the light changes. The Boy Scout lakes are phenomenal, and even on the main trail we love just going up to Lone Pine lake and hanging out for a few hours when we're acclimating for something. Just glorious up there. BTW thank you for the info on the North Fork permits! ❤️

[@ellenclary]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard You are most welcome about the North Fork permits info. I'm glad I finally whined enough so we could connect.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@ellenclary Us too!!

[@sluggotinfantryman]

I love that giant chunk of blue ice.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

I have done Mt. Whitney twice as a day hike up the standard route. Both times, I got a permit by going to the ranger station at the specified time the day before to get a permit that was not being used. Both times I went up, Whitney, I spent the day before and the night before up at Horse Meadows at 10,000 ft. The only real challenging part was once you hit the Ridge at about 13,000 ft and the trail is not as good and there is up and down and quite a distance yet to the summit hiking above 13,000 ft. elevation. Adam mentioned this part of the hike.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Mickey! That's good to know that you were also able to get a permit at the ranger station. Once we're based in the Sierra full time and don't have to plan everything so far ahead of time, that's definitely going to be our main strategy. ❤️

[@mickeybrumfield764]

@LiveHardxLoveHard I did it on a week day, and there were maybe 15 people in line for the permits, and I think everybody got one. There seemed to be plenty of leftover permits both times.

[@kevinstarski1598]

If you live relatively close by, that's one thing. But to take time off from work and drive for hours on a chance like that is a completely different thing.

[@saltydog6241]

Two young people just fell to their deaths on the mountaineers route yesterday. Spooky given how close it was to your very sketchy ascent. 😢

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes it really is spooky, and of course very sad. We're following that case closely, and if they release the details and there's anything valuable to be learned from what happened to them we'll post it here in a pinned comment. It's starting to feel a bit scary to us how often people have passed away on the routes we do right around the time we do them. It's happened on Shasta, twice in the Alps, and now on Whitney. Definitely a vivid reminder to put safety first on any climb. ❤️

[@jeffcottingham3691]

I notice at least one person below mentioned the climb from the west side and Guitar Lake - basically it's the JMT "trailhead" which is technically at the summit of Whitney. From the PCT you can access the JMT where it and the PCT merge, and follow it to Guitar Lake. There used to be a great number of rock "huts" built by hikers over the years as windbreaks there - but I'm at least hoping that many have been removed and reverted back to natural terrain once again. It is a great place to camp overnight, and the views following the trail along the knife edge to the summit are spectacular, as you pass by window after window looking down to Owens Valley! Great info! I kind of wish I would have tried the mountaineer's route in my younger days!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

We gotta do that camping trip, Jeff -- maybe even this summer or fall. It just looks so fantastic down there, and would love to climb up that way. And you def would have loved Mountaineer's Route. It is so beautiful, and a really interesting change of pace from the standard route doing the climb in less than half the distance, but more than twice the steepness! ❤️

[@miguelbarreto]

Thanks Guys for sharing your knowledge and experiences to the new hikers! Some day, I would like to climb Mt. Whitney, and would be revisiting this video!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

So happy to share, Miguel! You will for sure do Whitney one day, and you gotta make sure to tell us about it when you do!! ❤️

[@jimc386]

Love the quality of your photography. The video clips with motion give a substantially better sense of the terrain your negotiating than individual stills. Thanks!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Our pleasure -- so happy you enjoyed it! ❤️

[@calxtra5361]

GREAT ADVICE ADAM AND PARTNER

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thank you! ❤

[@catherinewatson5519]

I don't live anywhere near there and I'm almost 100% sure I'll never get to climb Mt. Whitney, but you folks are so good at sharing the information - advice in animated words interspersed with relevant video clips - it's riveting, even for those of us just along for the "digital ride"!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Catherine thank you so much -- that is a lovely compliment, and made both of us feel very happy to read! Meanwhile, we still hold out hope that you will come and climb in the eastern Sierra. There's truly nowhere else like it. ❤️

[@catherinewatson5519]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard ♥

[@kmac265]

Another great and informative video! Thank you!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

So glad you liked it, and it's our pleasure -- we love contributing good beta to the community when we can! ❤️

[@TrustyNate]

Thanks so much for putting this together!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

It's our pleasure, Nate! We've benefitted so much from the beta of others over the years that it's really nice to pay it forward now that we've done Whitney enough times to know what's what. ❤️

[@Heysaywhatnow]

Really love these kind of videos. Thank you guys for sharing your knowledge!!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Awesome -- so glad you like it! It's our pleasure to share. We've been helped so much over the years by other people's posts and videos, so it's nice to be able to give back to the community as well! ❤️

[@TrekkingTheRockies]

I admire you both for your endurance, stamina, and mountaineering skills. This is way out of my comfort zone but I am in awe of those who can. FYI, it's still snowing in Colorado and the snowpack is holding fast in the higher elevations. 😭. I'm only at 80 miles so far this year due to the frequency of winter storms. It's been a slow start to 2024. We have so many new explorations planned for this year. I know you two will be heading out this way and I can't wait to see where you climb. Thanks for taking us along. *I just read that there were two fatalities on Mt. Whitney this week, from falls. Looks like they went up the same route as you two, but it's not know at this time how far. They made it past Boy Scout Lake and were heading for the Notch. They planned to snowboard down. Very sad. Stay safe you two.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks so much -we're really looking forward to some serious CO climbing this summer and fall! Definitely let us know if there's anything you think we really have to do. We're putting a good list together. Yes we've been following the recent tragedy. It's so sad. We'll keep following it, and if they release any information that we could all learn from we'll post it right here in a pinned comment. Definitely a sobering reminder about the potential for bad outcomes even when the conditions are good. ❤️

[@kevinstarski1598]

If there's one thing I learned it that KZbinrs (and of course the cameramen) don't die...so I may have to pick up a new hobby just to be safe

[@suhailmehre]

Love watching you and your energy. Watching from Marsden in Yorkshire UK.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Suhail -- that is so nice to hear! We hope you will make it over to the Sierra for some of these hikes soon, and if not, well we'll be coming to the UK in the next year or two for some Snowdon and Lake District climbing! ❤️

[@colbyclay5911]

This was highly informative, thank you guys! Good to know I’m not the only one with bad luck with lotteries… This was a good reminder to respect Whitney. Just because it can be hiked up doesn’t mean it’s a small undertaking!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Oh my gosh, sometimes I wish they would at least tell us how many people entered the lottery and how many got permits! Like, are we just historically unlucky in missing it every single year or is it actually a 100 to 1 shot where most people miss out and it would actually be very unusual to get one? Oh well, at least once we're fully nomadic we can get the last-minute cancellation permits! ❤️

[@socohik3r35]

You two are awesome! Love all your videos. I can't wait to summit Whitney in the next couple seasons. Thanks for your tips!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thank you so much! We're so happy to hear you love the videos, and it's our pleasure to offer these tips on Whitney. Can't wait to hear how it goes for you -- please let us know when you do it!! ❤️

[@23takumi88]

Thank-you love this video so far... I hope to see alot of safety breakdowns and essential gear breakdowns aswell from u guys

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

So glad you're enjoying! Yes we will definitely continue to do safety and gear breakdowns for major climbs. Will probably do a comprehensive video on advanced uses of trekking poles soon as well! ❤️

[@markcarver9070]

There is a third route that many would enjoy. From the John Muir Trail camp at Guitar Lake on the Western side of the escarpment. Doing it this way is about a 12-mile round trip. However, the good part is that by staying overnight at Guitar Lake (11,493 ft), you are acclimatizing, which makes the hike easier. Being in our late 60s, my wife and I started from Cottonwood Lakes campground. It took us a few days to get to Guitar Lake, but we did it so that we could easily acclimatize. It was an awesome hike, longer for sure, but more doable for us.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Mark that is great info, thank you, and that route sounds awesome!! One of our goals this year once we're fully nomadic is to really improve our camping skills and learn to sleep better while camping so we can do exactly that kind of trip! ❤️

[@DesertRat332]

I don't know how others feel but I would NOT sleep at Whitney Portal to get more altitude acclimation the night before. I have tried 3-4 times sleeping at the walk in sites and didn't sleep much. People are getting into their cars at midnight, driving in with headlights on, setting off car alarms. Maybe it's better down at the campsites? "Climb high, sleep low." I recommend acclimating at Horseshoe Meadow the weekend before and then spending the night before at the Whitney Portal Hotel Hostel in Lone Pine. I did this with some friends and we went to bed early, got up at 3 and drove up to the trailhead. White Mountain is another good hike for altitude acclimation. The drive in is worse than the hike. (lol) 😄

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

We are right there with you. That's why we love to go up and acclimate during the day but then sleep in Lone Pine at night, at around 4500. Once it gets above 8000 neither of us can sleep at all, so we feel like it's better to get a few hours, wake up at midnight or one, and just do the whole thing in a day when we can! ❤️

[@jennifershafer1134]

Love your videos! You two are so inspiring. Can’t wait to watch you climb Everest one day!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks so much, Jennifer! That is wonderful to hear. Well you'll probably at least get to see us at Everest Base Camp and Camp 1 next year, because we're thinking that will be our first big Nepal hiking trip to see how we do for a few days at 20,000 feet! ❤️

[@jennifershafer1134]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard I’m already so excited to watch it ❤️

[@tawilso]

Thanks for the tips! That was definitely an epic hike and I'd love to experience it myself one day soon 👍

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

So happy to share it with you, and very glad to hear that you're planning to do it yourself! It's just all about being well trained, properly acclimated and geared up, and ready to turn around if need be. Then go crush it, and let us know how it goes! ❤️

[@mattk2370]

I'd also recommend helmet use at the E ledges too, a bit of risk potential for rockfall in some sections

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Ya an abundance of caution is never a bad thing!

[@larryowens2859]

This is great info for anyone considering Whitney, I have been lost several times looking for those ledges and it's not fun early in the morning when it's dark, by the way you always have such great video! Thanks for sharing! Larry Owens

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Larry! Yeah getting across the stream through all that brush and finding the ledges in the dark is not easy. Having good GPS really helped. Super happy you liked the vid! ❤️

[@paolo-n2000]

Great video. I really love your channel and appreciate your incredibly positive energy you both project! All the best to you! Headed to the Eastern Sierras June7th!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks very much Paolo, that is lovely to hear. So excited to hear you're going the the Eastern Sierra in June -- it is a fantastic and beautiful time to be there! We're not technically departing from LA until July, but will probably sneak up there on at least a couple of June weekends ourselves! ❤️

[@paolo-n2000]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard - Hope to see you two on the trail! Happy hiking!!! 🥾🏕

[@johnmcnulty1129]

Great production Elise & Adam. You guys are always, almost always :) having such a blast on the adventures. This showcases unless you're "switched on" and respect the terrain, conditions etc, can find yourself in a whole load of trouble at the drop of a hat. Close encounter with a Bobcat in the wild, peace central. Only to get attacked by a bee at base ! 🐝 ☀️ 😺😾 ❤

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks John! Yes you are right about that -- of course it's so important to have fun and be upbeat, but also important to really be "on" when the going gets dangerous. And that bee was insane! It wasn't even on an adventure. I was down in Escondido sipping tequila on a deck with some friends when he just came out of nowhere and stung me in the neck! --A

[@williamhansen1580]

Thank you very much for your informative reply. That’s great. You guys are moving up to that area, lots of areas to play in the mountains there :-) thank you for checking into this and asking in person and letting me know I want to do Whitney a second time this year, I was thinking maybe going up the mountaineers route and down the regular route, usually like to run as much as possible, and there wouldn’t be much running on the mountaineer route, especially going down. Hope you guys have a nice weekend.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks William, that sounds like a good plan for your route. We've run down a lot of the regular route before and it's lovely running, but like you say we would not want to run Mountaineer's at all because it's just too steep. You have a great weekend too! ❤️

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

Really great advise to always remember that you need to expend as much or more energy coming back down from a hike or returning from a long run. I will often feel just fine getting to my end but the way back is rough. So I will limit the way out to make the way back more doable.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Absolutely. And especially if there are dicey parts that have to be navigated on the way back, you don't want to be totally exhausted for them so it's important to maintain some strength on the way out! ❤️

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard The 2nd half is always tougher than the 1st!

[@Twobarpsi]

A couple just died from falling near The Notch at 13,200 feet. Tragic loss. They were 28 and 29.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes we've been following the story. So sad. If the investigators release any details that are useful to learn from, we'll post a pinned comment about it. ❤️

[@davidolson558]

Great advice as always! MN Dave

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Dave -- we're definitely starting to learn our way around Whitney! ❤️

[@davidolson558]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard awesome 👍😎

[@danbluenord8984]

ELISE and ADAM hello from France. Thanks to your recommendations, here is a video that will certainly help future hikers who climb Mount Whitney, and who will not fail to ask you other questions. I am commenting on this post as a devotee of your channel who is discovering the superb landscapes that you share with us, but looking behind the scenes of this adventure enhanced by your explanations, we understand all the difficulties of such a hike. Kisses to both of you. DAN ELISE et ADAM un bonjour de France. Grâce à vos recommandations voilà une vidéo qui aidera certainement les futurs randonneurs qui grimperont le mont Whitney, et qui ne manqueront pas de vous poser d’autres questions. Je commente ce post comme un fidèle de votre chaine qui découvre les superbes paysages que vous nous faites partager, mais en regardant les coulisses de cette aventure agrémentées par vos explications, on comprend toutes les difficultés d’une telle randonnée. Bises à vous deux. DAN

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Merci beaucoup d'avoir commente celui-ci, Dan! C'est tres gentil de ta part, et nous l'apprecions beaucoup. ❤️

[@aliensoup2420]

A point of perspective for the MR compared to the Main trail... I'm solely a summer hiker so this applies specifically to no snow conditions. The MR route is basically half the walking distance of the Main Trail, but because of the complexity of the trail, and the vertical challenge, it takes the same time or more to summit. With stops and lunch break, the Main Trail takes me about 8 hours to summit - the MR took me 10 hours. My first time on the MR was a casual alternative to the MT as there was no permit requirement in 2005. I approached it blindly knowing nothing about the trail. After the posted turn-off I was lost within the first 30 mins. I lost the trail 2 times before the E. Ledges. The E. Ledges were intimidating, but I was used to rock scrambling so it wasn't a big problem - it just requires a cool head, forethought, and attention. I lost the trail again around Lower Boy Scout Lake, as the terrain is flat and featureless. After LBSL, there is a large boulder field that can be tedious and tiresome. I only had time to reach Upper Boy Scout Lake I had to turn back to reach the trailhead before sundown. After the experience I vowed I would never set foot on that trail again, because it was so awkward and challenging. Yet, 1 year later I acquired 2 permits for the MT, so I summited the MT in July, and decided to use the 2nd one to try the MR again in Sept. That previous attempt was extremely helpful, and saved me time in navigating the trail and not getting lost. The Moraine was tedious and awkward to navigate as the rock field tends to conceal the trail and everything looks the same. My greatest difficulty was finding a way over the ledge to Ice Berg Lake. Many of the climbable routes were frozen over with glass ice. The climb up to the notch was not difficult but draining, particularly the scree field below the Notch. I chose to take the 400 over the Easy Walkover as I prefer rock scrambling over loose dirt on a steep slope. The 400 was relatively easy, except the last 8 feet to the summit. That was a challenging technical maneuver that almost turned me back. I took the MT back down as it was much simpler and I was familiar with the trail. My general point is to take time to familiarize yourself with a trail before taking it on in one glorious attempt. I did this with the MT, MR, and San Gorgonio. It is better to make your mistakes on a short hike with time to turn back, and know what to expect when you cannot afford to waste time on the real deal.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That's excellent beta, and also a really great point. If you have the spare time, it's such a good idea to do preview hikes of a really big climb -- especially when they double as acclimatization hikes -- so that when the big day comes you can avoid uncertainty and navigational snafus on the lower parts of the climb. Very good to know that the traverse up to Iceberg is just as sketchy in summer as in winter conditions! ❤️

[@robertturner1308]

Great advice! I did Whitney in August and you two are totally right the hardest part is getting the permit. I did it solo in one day (no camping permit) and that is how I was able to get it done. A solo day permit is what I would advise. Solo permits can be obtained even in busy months. It is much riskier going solo though but in the summer there are so many people it is a manageable risk. The regular hike itself was intense! I had no acclimatization at all so it was a very hard and long day. The altitude above 14 thousand was brutal for me. Just wanted to sit and rest which slowed my pace. Your advice to acclimatize if possible is very sound to enjoy it more. I left Lone Pine at midnight, started hiking at 2:00 AM, and did not get back to my car at the Portal until 8:30 PM. I did get a little lost coming down and did not have GPS. Not smart my part. It’s also just a really long hike. Not sure I would want to do it in off season as the conditions get really rough I hear in winter. Like your sugar advice. Skittles are my go snack to avoid bonking. Healthier option is dried figs. That reminds me, you gotta pack your 💩 out on Whitney. I get the need for it but it’s a bit gross. Did you two rope up to each other on the Mountaineer’s Route? Looks like you didn’t. I like your advice about two ice axes. That seems really smart. The sun is so rough up there as you said. I wear a buff with 50 SPF to protect my face and it helps reduce windburns too. Great piece of gear. I also have done Mt. Shasta and that helped me somewhat understand how steep the descent on Whitney must have been for you. Most of Shasta you can slide down as you said but the top avalanche gulch was super steep and it had to be crampons and ice axes only to get down that section. For you two to do crampons and an ice axe the whole way down on Whitney must have been so slow and intense. Glad you both made it safe. You’re getting to be very experienced. I am mostly a hiker and novice mountaineer. You two are serous mountaineers now. Mt Rainier (since it is so glaciated) or even bigger peaks I can see you both taking on next. Congrats and thanks for sharing your “beta”. Since you both actually walk the walk it’s only fair you get to talk the talk and use climbing jargon. Congrats again on your climbing accomplishment on Whitney!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks very much, Robert! Your advice for solo day permit is excellent, and will probably apply for lots of our subscribers. We didn't use a rope on MR -- we don't rope together unless there's crevasse danger or we're actually doing a fixed belay because we actually think it's more dangerous to be roped just for steepness. We know some people do it, but it's not for us. We posted the whole Whitney climb last week if you haven't seen it yet. Meanwhile, we're definitely looking at Rainier for this summer! ❤️

[@Kim-J312]

You should check out the ice gullies in Mt Washington area of NH. It's about grade 3 ice climb , it's easy but long ,nice view. There is the Harvard cabin if you want to sleep up there . I've always came down for the night . I didn't like the gullies much, I do steep ice climbing mostly . The East Coast has a nice long winter season 👍

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@Kim-J312 That is great to know -- we're hoping to get out to the Presidentials later this year!! ❤

[@ellenclary]

I've certainly cried on that uphill section on the way back down. I've scored 6-8 Mt Whitney main trails permits over the years, and then there was a pandemic and EVERYONE decided to start hiking. Seems like all wilderness permits got a lot harder to get. I expect that to change over the years - it has to get easier. (Hope).

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha yes Ellen -- we should come up with a name for that spot, because over the years as we've talked to people about the main trail that's always the most dreaded part. Shasta already has misery hill, so we can't do that. Maybe "wretchedness rise"? Or "the insufferable incline"? I feel it definitely needs a name! --A

[@ellenclary]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Yeah but it's so short compared to Misery Hill. Maybe we should just call it the Brief Hill of Despair.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@ellenclary Demi-despair!

[@andygustafson1]

The only time I used snowshoes on mountaineers route was a small section between lower and upper Boy Scout when there was somewhat fresh snow. If people are iffy I would also mention or recommend an option of going with a guide who can help and keep you safe. Agree traverse/catwalk was very dangerous, I thought it was terrifying even roped up. Great info!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes Andy, we know exactly the area you're talking about and it actually would be appropriate for snowshoes. But at least for us, it wasn't worth taking off the crampons and switching to snowshoes for that relatively short section (though it might be a different story if there were fresh snow and repeated deep post-holing!). ❤️

[@andygustafson1]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard totally agree not worth the effort or extra weight, thanks for the reply

[@ItsDolphin]

I was lucky enough to snag a single permit on the second chance opportunity in late April. My permit is for August 21 and im so excited!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Oh my gosh, congratulations! That is an absolutely perfect time to go. Hope you get a chance to acclimatize a bit beforehand, and please let us know how it goes for you!! ❤️

[@PastorHan1776]

November!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

November is the time! We might see you up there!! ❤️

[@krzysztofnowakowski75]

Thanks god Adam is all right 🥹 I have a permit for June 7th and i am considering it but me being from Illinois id prefer the snow to not be there!! High altitude is my only worry. This will help tremendously 🙏

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

So happy to hear that, and congrats on getting a permit! Yes you will definitely want to acclimatize beforehand as much as you can, because that altitude hits you like a hammer once you get above about 12,000 feet. But it really is an incredible mountain -- so happy for you for getting a lottery permit! ❤️

[@williamhansen1580]

Thank you both for a great informative video, I’ve done Whitney once last Oct. I got my permit on the cancellation list on the website of available permits the first day they were released which I think was April 21, at 7am. I was told and see on their website that they have no walk up permits, that 100% of their available permits are available online, however, you mentioned in your video that you guys recently got a walk up permit was in the past or recent? I see a lot of confusion about this. Thank you for clarifying.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes William we've seen a lot of confusion about it too. Our walk-up was before Covid, but we talked to a guy in Lone Pine a few weeks ago who told us you can still get them, so we're going off second-hand information on that for now. However, we'll be based up in the Sierra soon enough and will try walking in ourselves and see what happens, and will let you guys know! ❤️

[@davidtate166]

Hello you two .just read two hikers skiers had a fatal accident on MT Whitney.goes it can be a dangerous mountain.not to take it lightly.R.i.p 💮💀⏳

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

We saw that, David. Such a tragedy, and they were so young. RIP. ❤️

[@jaredempey5706]

Great video. From your explanation it looks like in many cases it may be better to do the Mountaineer's Route in two days. Where would you say is the best place to camp?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Jared! Yes there are really two traditional options for camping on Mountaineer's. We'd probably do Upper Boy Scout Lake, where you aren't quite as high up and so can maybe get a bit more sleep. But a lot of people do Iceberg Lake, where you're "sleeping" at above 12,000 and then you can get up and onto the couloir first thing in the morning. We like to camp lower because it's really hard for us to sleep at higher altitudes, so we'd camp at Upper Boy Scout. ❤️

[@jaredempey5706]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard thanks for the great advice

[@AmandaDBall]

There's an altitude med Acetazolamide in us requires a rx, in some countries is OTC. It helped me a lot in Chile but does have some side effects so def talk to your PCP first

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Thanks Amanda! We tried that med preparing for the very first 14er we ever did and Adam was allergic to it!! So he def doesn't use it, but occasionally I do for something really big like Kilimanjaro. Glad to hear it worked well for you! ❤️ --E

[@kari4295]

Wondering if you guys have somehow compiled photos from all of your trips and made collages or pictures to hang, or albums?? Has to be so much fun to recollect ❤

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes Kari! We used to have some cool pics hung of us exploring epic places, but over the years we've gone more minimalist so now just have them on the computer. One day when we're older and slow down a bit though, maybe we'll buy a house and hang some of the coolest pics again! ❤️

[@sluggotinfantryman]

For 48 hours freezed dried meals are so much lighter than real food! Oh yeah if 13 below zero those gas station lighters don't work. So if lighting a jetboil take matches! Self igniter back up. Take matches. Oddly January has been the best weather I have been up there. 17 times to trail crest. 15 more to outpost camp. Twice up Carillion. Once up Lone Pine Creek. 2011 Epic snow. Never to top 😅.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Good info -- did not know that about gas station lighters not working in extreme cold! ❤️

[@RidiPwn]

did you guys hear: Tragic End: Two Hikers Found D.e.a.d After Mount Whitney Expedition it happen few days ago. wish you safe adventures

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes, and it gets even worse. In addition to that lovely couple that was killed in a fall near the summit, another guy was killed by rockfall just a couple of days ago on the Ebersbacher Ledges. It's a sobering reminder of the things that can potentially go wrong out there. ❤

[@ADM-wt9cn]

Yall are crazy for not roping up on the 400 haha.. lot of anchor points you two could use off eachother in case a fall... Cheers you wild couple!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

I know a lot of people have different feelings about roping up on mountains like Whitney and Shasta, and we definitely respect people doing whatever is right for them safety-wise. For us, we don't like to rope together just for steepness unless we're actually full-on belaying with one person anchored. Other than the very top of the 400, we didn't see where we would put an anchor we felt good about. But maybe someone who's very experienced with putting in ice screws, etc, would feel differently about it. For us, we're pretty comfortable in class 4 conditions as long as the conditions are great, which thankfully they were for us on this one. ❤️

[@J1997]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Yeah roping up together without proper belaying is dangerous. A group of 2 just died on the final 400 the other day, I would not be surprised if they were roped together.

[@ADM-wt9cn]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Totally! You guys are rockstars... Watched many climbs, quick climbs but sure footed as you can be.. The leftside of the 400 usually has some exposed rock to anchor while one goes ahead, but Whitney again has been snowed in :) Cheers!

[@aliensoup2420]

@@ADM-wt9cn I did the MR in late Sept.. The 400 had a patch of ice on the right that was avoidable. The left side was a relatively easy scramble.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@ADM-wt9cn Yeah that makes sense about anchoring over on the rocks once the snow clears a bit. Cheers!

[@sluggotinfantryman]

No permit in January February on full moon nights the moon literally is directly over trail. Alway go for full moon date. If doing night hiking.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Would love to do a full moon night -- would look amazing reflecting off the snow!

[@jburciaga1975]

Hello, what date did you two climb?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

We've done it several different times. We last did the standard route in the fall right after permit lottery season ended, in early November. And Mountaineer's Route right before the permit lottery season started, at the very end of April. ❤️

[@jeffadamson-si3ce]

Can you share your gpx track? We are doing it in two weeks. Thanks

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Jeff that's awesome -- so excited for you! Sure, we just downloaded "Mount Whitney Mountaineer's Route" off of Alltrails and it worked perfectly. The only snafu was in crossing North Fork Creek to get across to the ledges, because where the person who did that route crossed was totally submerged by all the snowmelt when we went. We hiked 20 or 30 meters further up to find a crossing place we liked better. Other than that, though, the route was excellent and most importantly, it got us through the E-ledges in the dark with no problems. After that, you're mostly just following footprints. ❤️

[@Metak1715]

How long did it take for you both to to complete the route? To and back. And around what time you started and got back to your car? Thank you!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

It was very long, around 16 or 17 hours! We started about 2:30 and got back to the car a little before sunset, around 7 or so. Of course some of that was filming, but most of it was just slowly navigating all the treacherous conditions both going up and coming down. ❤️

[@Metak1715]

Thank you for responding@@LiveHardxLoveHard

[@kenedward4585]

Did you have any plan for getting stuck on the mountain over night? Down bag?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Yes, we always bring multiple extra layers plus emergency bivvies. We've also practiced building a snow shelter at 10,000 feet and staying overnight in it, so we'll already know what to do and how it will feel it we ever encounter an emergency situation like that.

[@dylanhardy6443]

My brother and i got a permit for june 19th this year. We’re very fit but have never done a trail where we needed micro spikes or an ice axe or anything. Do you think we should just go for it obviously pay attention to weather but we’re doing an overnight at outpost. Was also wondering if you guys have an idea of how long the switchbacks will have snow on them for since y’all have done this hike many times it seems. Thanks in advance

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Dylan what a great thing to do with your brother! The main issue will probably be snow/ice on the switchbacks. Depending on the weather and how much it melts the snow that's on there, the switchbacks might not be passable yet. In that case, you would need to climb the chute that's off to the right of the switchbacks as you're facing the mountain. That would require ice axe and crampons, so if the switchbacks are closed you guys aren't comfortable with that gear yet, you may just want to hike up to trail camp (right below the switchbacks) and call it a day there. Hopefully the snow will met and the switchbacks will be open, but it's still an incredibly beautiful hike up to trail camp so even if you don't summit you'll have a great time! You can check the Mt Whitney message boards a few days before you go to get the latest conditions and see if people are able to climb the switchbacks yet. ❤

[@dylanhardy6443]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Thank you so much awesome videos by the way!

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@dylanhardy6443 Our pleasure!

[@rhcp72188]

Hey guys. Are there any really scary exposed parts on the standard route? Like parts where it gets really narrow and there’s just a huge drop off?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That's a great question, and the answer is it depends on whether or not there's snow. We did the standard route once in summer and felt it was genuinely a class 1 trail with no exposure at all. But we also did it in November after a snowfall -- we have a video on that one -- and there were definitely a few dicey places in the snow, especially on the switchbacks, where you could slip and slide a long way. So if you do the standard route without snow, nothing scary, but if you do it with snow it can get a little zesty. ❤️

[@simonhalstead9277]

any advice for someone training for east buttress or east face trad routes? will be staying at ice berg lake and always trying fishhook arete on nearby mount russel

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Simon that is awesome!! We are planning to do both east buttress and east face trad routes once we're out there full time later this summer, but we haven't done them yet. That is super cool you're training for them. Let's stay in touch about it and share beta as we try the various routes! ❤️

[@simonhalstead9277]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard sounds good planing august myself atm. so far what i can tell the east buttress has more run out and the east face more exposure and you want doubles of cams nuts and cams .3 to 3 with a four or two in case you get off route. also be ready for more bushwacking/ledge walking to get to the base.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@simonhalstead9277 That's good to know. The bushwhacking even to get across to the E-ledges was a total PITA.

[@K6ARK]

Train at front-country crags to build climbing proficiency a few grades above these routes. Learn to be efficient at transitions and good with rope management. Climb as an efficient party of 2, and get an early start. Time is safety in the mountains. The last thing you want is to be stuck 500' from the top in a thunderstorm at sunset. The routes are easy, but route-finding is a challenge for those not used to alpine rock climbing. Bring some bail slings in case you need to escape the route. Acclimate ahead of time. Spend at least a day above 8k feet before you start your trip to minimize chances of AMS, and to make your approach less of a slog.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@K6ARK Great advice. Thank you!

[@ernestlcolemanjr]

I tried for the permit & didn’t win it. So I’m going from Cottonwood to Whitney to Cottonwood.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Love it, Ernest! Please let us know how you like it going that way!! ❤️

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

Is it OK to eat sugary snacks while watching your videos? Purely out of solidarity of course.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha love it -- that's the kind of solidarity we need around here! 😂

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard I more M&M's than jelly beans though. My wife though is on the jelly bean bandwagon. Hopefully I'm still accepted

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@prowrestlingisart6742 Haha you're part of the original crew -- we'd accept you even if you went with candy corn. It would be hard, but we'd deal with it. ❤

[@prowrestlingisart6742]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard that makes me happy to read! but don't worry, candy corn doesn't count as candy. it shouldn't exist. I could just chew on a candle if I want

[@kevinstarski1598]

While I understand that Whitney is the highest, aren't there hundreds of other peaks in California with amazing views? Don't some of them have trails?

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Oh my gosh Kevin, haven't you seen our other videos? Over the years we've been up a whole lot of those other gorgeous California peaks, and loved each and every one of them! ❤️

[@kevinstarski1598]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Oh, I didn't mean you guys :-) You guys can scramble up anything, trail or not. My friend and I lost lottery this year and I just kinda have a sour taste about this Whitney obsession (again, nothing to do with you guys or the video at all). I don't know if I'm getting that across...(maybe it's my own ignorance about other California 14'er, 13'er, 12'er that are commonly climbed. Need to do more research :-) )

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

@@kevinstarski1598 Totally feel you on missing out on the permits -- we lose that darn lottery every year. But if you guys want a gorgeous 14er in the Whitney area that's just as beautiful as Whitney with no permit needed, do Langley via Old Army Pass. Incredibly beautiful hike -- you will love it!

[@kevinstarski1598]

@@LiveHardxLoveHard Thank you for the tip! Never heard of that one. You guys are awesome!

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Or just go up the other side. Da Chute. It is death sweating in Sierra. If Sun is out, it's murder. I was more miserable on Dana than 116 degrees in full combat gear in Iraq. As for Sun, it toasts your neck. Yeah. Reflects. My take cut off base layer bottoms, thin, below knees. Summer pants over that. Down vest. I take a 900 fill down coat in case I get stuck up there. Pants to. They compress. 20 below boots work here. Make sure you use moleskin on Achilles if you do not know if boots will blister that area. Crampons make it worse. Better safe than sorry. The creeks are a B otch. I have gone up both. In the creek. Carillion and Lone Pine. There is a reason why people risk death on shelves. Conditioning Conditioning Conditioning Go up then mountaineers out regular trail. Haul a small super light pack Osprey. I sleep in down over clothes on small pad in space blanket for these two day deals. Only Perk I take is jetboil. Space blanket works. Last trip up here it was 13 below zero. The night prior 23-27 below. A dude was in a bivy sac on cold night. 🥶 I prefer snow going up Whitney. Below 18 degrees as high is cold. High of 8 degrees day is really cold. It wears on you. Wear googles if that cold. Baklava with thin top of head normal over face. Ears. Coats are a waste. Sierra. Get oversized down coat put it in pack with pants compressed to nothing. Use vest while moving. Climbing. Sierra Nevada. A 40 pound pack is a pain. Haven't gone to top of Whitney but have a bunch others in snow. Been up to trailcrest bunch in snow. 70 degree slope is real. A wall.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Oh my gosh Dan, give us the ledges over going up that creek any day! Even crossing the creek to the ledges was a huge PITA -- can't imagine hiking up it. That's badass someone handling that cold in a bivvy. We'd be freezing in a tent with inflatable mattress and sleeping bag! ❤️

[@eventtrading]

I love you Adam but Elise for Potus.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Haha I second that nomination!! --A

[@eventtrading]

One look says snowshoes are a bad idea, it's not rocket science. So how bout some teeth on you snowshoes? One look says that's a good idea.

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Our snowshoes have pretty good teeth, but even so it's so darn steep better just stick with crampons. ❤️

[@arios4580]

Hiking this beauty July 26 my first one night hike ✨ I got my permit on April 22 and it was super easy! I recommend doing this instead of lottery 🩵🩵

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

That is freaking awesome! So happy for you -- what a perfect time to hike it. Hopefully people will see this comment and know that really good times can be gotten on the secondary permit releases! ❤️

[@np939427a]

Nothing worse than crispy ears syndrome and inside the nose blisters. By god that hurts..

[@LiveHardxLoveHard]

Oh my gosh yes -- forgetting to put sunscreen on the ears is brutal! We definitely burned the heck out of the bottom of our noses as well, though thankfully not inside! ❤️