Does anyone know how this works? How does one attain one and when? Do thru hikers of the pct or jmt need them?
Pacemaker
Whitney permits
system
#2
From the PCTA website: “The U.S. Forest Service has implemented a $15 reservation fee to climb Mt. Whitney, exit and re-enter the Whitney Portal on the east side. If you plan to visit Whitney Portal or Lone Pine, CA from the summit of Mount Whitney, you need the Whitney Permit.”
If you are coming off the PCT, one is not needed.
Tarmanmf
system
#3
You only need the permit upon entry or exit to the portal. Comming from Crabtree meadows to summit and then back to the trail does not require a permit. However, I find it highly unlikely that a ranger would check for your permit upon exiting. And furthermore I’m not sure what they could do… upon entry however, you are likely to find a ranger. Whether he checks you or not is a gamble, but if you sleep on the Whitney side, I find it likely at some point you’ll get a visit asking to see your “Overnight” permit. There were 40+ hikers comming up as I exited and I’ll never do it again if I don’t have to.
“Mad Dog” Murph