Mt. Whitney Gear List - What to Pack to Hike Mt. Whitney
Are you embarking on a journey to summit Mount Whitney? As you probably already know, Mount. Whitney is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States rising 14,505 feet (4,421 meters). It is located in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in central California.
Summiting Mt. Whitney requires a commitment to significant training as well as proper gear to have a successful summit. If you are taking the traditional route up Mt. Whitney, you will start from Whitney Portal, approximately 13 miles (about 21 kilometers) outside the small desert town of Lone Pine, California. Whitney Portal offers overnight camping with water and restrooms available. Most of the 43 campsites can be booked in advance while a small number are available on a first-come first serve basis. Bear boxes are available at each campsite to store your food. Whitney Portal is an active bear area and placing all food and scented items in bear boxes is required for overnight use.
The Mt. Whitney Trailhead is located at Whitney Portal, elevation 8,360 feet (2,548 meters) above sea level. The road is paved and accessible for all vehicles. The trail to summit to Mt. Whitney is approximately 22 miles (35 km) round trip. The Mount Whitney Trail has an elevation gain of approximately 6,145 feet (1,873 meters) from the trailhead at Whitney Portal to the summit at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters). A typical hike of Mount Whitney via the Mount Whitney Trail takes hikers between 12 to 18 hours round-trip, depending on fitness level, acclimatization, weather conditions, and pace. Many hikers start early in the morning, often before sunrise, to allow ample time to complete the hike and descend safely before nightfall.
The hike up Mount Whitney is challenging and should only be attempted by those individuals who have trained and are properly equipped to make the trek. Do you have what it takes to summit Mt. Whitney?
If you are setting out to climb Mt. Whitney, it's best to be prepared for ALL weather conditions. On the sunniest of days the weather can turn sour with little warning bringing anything from thunderstorms to freak snowstorms; thus it's important to be prepared for ALL weather conditions!
There are many hikers who attempt to hike Mt. Whitney solo but the majority of people go in a group.
If you are hiking Mt. Whitney solo you should carry all of the following items. If you are hiking Mt. Whitney as part of a group, be sure someone in your group you are going to hike with has the following:
- Water Treatment, Purification, or Filter - Examples include: Sawyer Squeeze, Katadyn BeFree, Aquatabs, Aquamira
- Backup/Emergency Water Treatment - Aquamira or Aquatabs are a great backup to a water filter. Water treatment typically takes a bit longer than just filtering water so most hikers opt for a water filter but it’s important to have a backup in case your filter gets clogged or is lost.
- Sunblock - There are many options for a 30+ waterproof SPF like ThinkSport or Aloe Up is recommended
- Extra Electrolytes - Nuun makes excellent electrolytes. I have seen people suffering from hyponatremia (lack of electrolytes usually from drinking too much water and not replacing salt) be brought back from a potentially life threatening situation with a couple tabs in a bottle of water.
- First Aid Kit in a waterproof container or bag to include:
- Adhesive bandages (various sizes): For covering small cuts, blisters, or abrasions.
- Sterile gauze pads: To dress larger wounds or as additional padding.
- Adhesive tape: For securing dressings and stabilizing injuries.
- Antiseptic wipes or alcohol pads: For cleaning wounds and skin before applying dressings.
- Antibiotic ointment: To prevent infection in minor wounds.
- Elastic bandage/wrap: To provide compression and support for injuries.
- Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen): For pain and fever relief.
- Antihistamine tablets: For allergic reactions or insect bites.
- Blister treatment (moleskin or blister pads): To prevent and treat blisters.
- Tweezers: For removing splinters or ticks.
- Scissors: To cut tape, bandages, or clothing if needed.
- Disposable gloves: For protecting yourself when providing first aid.
- Emergency whistle: To signal for help in case of emergency.
- Personal medications: If you have any specific medical conditions or prescriptions.
- Map - The hike is long and while it is well traveled during peak season, having a map is a good idea to determine how far you’ve hiked and how far you have left. This can be a very important factor in determining if you have time to reach the summit or if you need to make a safety decision to turn back and try again at another time.
- Permit - Hiking Mount Whitney requires a permit. Permits are typically reserved in February through the Mt. Whitney Lottery System. However, there are a limited number available on a first come first serve basis. You can contact the Mount Whitney Ranger Station for more details at: (760) 876-6200
In addition to the group items listed above, everyone one hiking Mt. Whitney should carry the following:
- Backpack - A comfortable backpack ranging from 20L to 30L that can carry all your hiking gear for the day.
- WAG Bag - These are required for all hikers. Because the Mount Whitney Trail is so heavily used and in a fragile ecosystem, every hiker is required to carry out their waste.
- Minimum 3-Liter Water Capacity - Departing from Trail Camp it is recommended hikers carry 3 liters of water. The trail is very exposed and there are no water sources between Trail Camp and the Mt. Whitney summit. You need enough water to get to the summit and back to Trail Camp.
- Food for a Full Day - Hikers need to be prepared with plenty of food in the event the hike takes longer than anticipated. Aim for 1500-2000+ calories from bars, nuts, sandwiches, crackers, dried fruit, jerky, etc. Having ready to eat food/snacks are generally preferred for this long day hike.
- Electrolytes - Electrolytes are needed to carry nutrients and blood throughout the body. Because you will be exercising for such a long period of time, you will need to replace the electrolytes in the body.
- Long Sleeve Shirt - Because of the elevation, it is typically chilly on the Mt Whitney trail. It can be cold when starting the hike and as you approach the summit. Having a long sleeve shirt also can be helpful to protect you from the intense ultraviolet rays above 10,000 feet.
- Fleece, Down, or Synthetic Warm Jacket - Many hikers layer as they near the summit. It is often cold and windy up top. Having proper insulation is essential.
- Rain Gear - Afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially June, July, and August. The thunderstorms often form with little to no warning. The rain at 14,500 feet with wind blowing can be life threatening due to hypothermia. Always have some form of rain gear even if it’s just an emergency poncho. A lightweight rain jacket is preferred since it can be part of your insulation if it is cold and windy.
- Beanie - Having something warm to put on your head is desirable during the cooler months.
- Gloves - Oftentimes the temperature is only 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit (2-7 degree Celsius) starting early morning, even during the summer months. Also, when the sun goes down it gets chilly very quickly at high elevation.
- Sunhat - If you are lucky it will be sunny most if not all day. The endless sunshine combined with the thin atmosphere makes the sun very intense. Sun protection for your face and neck is strongly recommended.
- Headlamp - The vast majority of hikers will start hiking in the dark. And if you didn’t start in the dark you will likely finish in the dark. Be prepared and take a headlamp even if you don’t think you will need it. Anything can happen that could slow your descent coming down.
- Ice Axe (seasonal) - Typically ice axes are needed in May & June and occasionally into early July to summit Mt. Whitney Safely.
- Crampons/microspikes (seasonal) - In an average snow year, the switchbacks above Trail Camp will still have snow and ice on them well into June. Crampons are highly recommended earlier in the season when there is still a lot of ice and microspikes are recommended with some snow and ice is still present but it’s mostly melted.
Optional gear that is highly recommended:
- Trekking Poles - While these are not required they are highly recommended. The 6,000+ feet coming down is very hard on knees and ankles. Trekking poles help to take the load off both the knees and ankles and are a fantastic way to help prevent falls when you are tired on the way down.
- Bug Repellant - No one likes being eaten by mosquitoes and there are plenty of them along the Mount Whitney trail during most of the summer.
- Bug Head Net - A bug headnet is a great way to keep the mosquitos from flying into your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth as you hike up Mount Whitney. In a typical year, the mosquitoes can be very thick in late June through July especially.
Be sure to read Mt. Whitney Safety Tips and check out our other Mt. Whitney lodging and dining resources, as well as, shop our Mt. Whitney Gear selection.