Mount Whitney Guide for Hikers and Climbers

It is certainly true, as other reviewers have noted, that this book (written in 1990) is now out of date. In particular, it does not mention the new overly restrictive permit system that the Forest Service has implemented. Despite that, however, anyone planning to hike or climb Whitney must read this book. Among its many virtues, this book has the most detailed description of hiking and climbing routes available. Indeed, it is the only guide I've seen which gives the correct mileage to the summit from Whitney Portal. In addition, it covers natural history, geology, flora and fauna, and the history of attempts on Mt. Whitney in far greater detail than other guides. Finally, this book gives lots of space to rescue operations, and the preparations you need to make to avoid a similar fate. For all these reasons it should be your first resource, despite the slightly dated material. Hopefully the authors can be persuaded to write an updated edition.

as an avid hiker in SoCal, I gotta say that this book is a *must have* if you want to take day trips up mount whitney. since it was printed, the rangers have changed their ruling about permits (get one!) but that's no fault of the authors. that aside, the book still stands as the definitive guide to the beautiful mt whitney.

I purchased this book at Outdoors, Inc in Memphis, Tennessee and devoured it in one day. I was hooked on attempting Whitney as soon as I could acquire a slot which we have done June 22-24, 1998 which is the 125th anniversary of the first to hike this mountain in 1873. We will use this guide as a bible to assist our 4-man group and hope to make it an exciting experience. Although we are only hikers and not technical climbers, we can freely appreciate the time and energy it took to compile this very interesting "labor of love"....