Can somebody please link to such a solar panel (4-6W, sub-8oz), one that can actually be purchased? Looks like Solarpad never went past the initial funding stage, though it would be nice to find out that I'm mistaken.
Thank you
Steven
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If really weights 8 oz it is a bit on the heavy side. You can get 4.5 W out of a <4 oz panel.
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Otherwise I fully agree, I walked last year from Campo to South Lake Tahoe with a similar setup, then swapped it for a bigger battery because of more trees and lower sun.
Henning
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Gesendet: Montag, 27. Januar 2025 um 16:15
Von: "Jeff Rolka via groups.io" <jeffrolka@...>
Betreff: Re: [JMT-groups.io] Solar Charger
FWIW - I used this last year:
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And it worked much better than I expected. The carabiners were useless, but I used a little cordage to tie loops in the panel's eyelets and then ran my backpacks top strap through the loops to secure it. I was hiking NOBO, and I had the panel plugged into my Nitecore battery. I never had to charge the battery anywhere other than the panel the whole trip.?
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FWIW - I used this last year:
?
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And it worked much better than I expected. The carabiners were useless, but I used a little cordage to tie loops in the panel's eyelets and then ran my backpacks top strap through the loops to secure it. I was hiking NOBO, and I had the panel plugged into my Nitecore battery. I never had to charge the battery anywhere other than the panel the whole trip.?
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Well, I don't know if my system is better, but it's what works for me. I have to maintain my iPhone, a small camera and my InReach mini when I'm out. My system comes in at ~8 oz (w/o cables). ?And, my system works when the sun isn't shining and I can daisychain the solar panel to my power bank to my camera/InReach/Phone if I want.
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It doesn't look like the Solarpad Pro is available on Amazon, but there must be similar small panels.
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Tim
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I usually use a 28W Big Blue solar charger on the trail, but I just noticed they have a 20W charger that's smaller and .75 lbs lighter:
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So, 1.75 vs. 1.01 lbs.
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Anyone use the smaller one and can give an opinion?
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Call the SNF office in Prather and explain what you are doing. You want to hike from Mono Creek to Whitney (exit), and are hiking from Mono Pass to get to VVR.? (This is a true statement!) They may have a solution for you.? They have been very helpful to me in the past, although not like this. They don't have a lecture to give you for your permit, like many jurisdictions. For example if you are passing through Prather before or after office hours, or days before your permit date, they will leave it in a drop box on the office porch. There used to be a permit office on Kaiser Pass, much closer to VVR than Prather, but it hasn't been open since COVID.? The point is, they are helpful.? Perhaps they will mail it to you.? Perhaps they will have a ranger drop the permit off for you at VVR.? It's worth asking.
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Also, be aware that the trail from Mono Pass to the JMT junction may be in rough shape. I haven't done it, but want to some day. I have seen reports in recent years that there are lots of blow downs, and SNF is underfunded and I haven't heard of any trail maintenance done there lately.
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I can¡¯t agree more. ? ?¡°The JMT¡± goal is understandable, but somewhat constrained and artificial. ?I quickly realized that trips off the main trail are in many ways better. ?My advice is just plan a trip, take what¡¯s available and go. ? You will be richly rewarded. ?Leaving the trail and linking permits and other such work around are just not worth it. ?Why not extend your time on trail instead? ?I walked from Echo lake to Kennedy meadows south this September and felt rewarded every step of the way.?
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On Jan 23, 2025, at 8:27?AM, Inga via groups.io <ingasadventures@...> wrote:
? I'm not a fan of workarounds of getting two permits or exiting illegally. They have rangers on the trail who check permits and we've had reports of citations and fines. The more people break the rules or find loopholes, the more convoluted the rules become. Please try to find a way to get the right permit or make your plans fit what is possible.?
Inga
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I'm not a fan of workarounds of getting two permits or exiting illegally. They have rangers on the trail who check permits and we've had reports of citations and fines. The more people break the rules or find loopholes, the more convoluted the rules become. Please try to find a way to get the right permit or make your plans fit what is possible.?
Inga
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I should add, on most dates. Refering to Bear Ridge trailhead.
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Gesendet: Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2025 um 17:17
Von: "Henning Rech via groups.io" <whrech@...>
Betreff: Re: [JMT-groups.io] Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
no problem to reserve one for July or August with Whitney exit, all 6 are unclaimed.
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Henning
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Gesendet: Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2025 um 17:03
Von: "judithsmcguire via groups.io" <judithsmcguire@...>
Betreff: Re: [JMT-groups.io] Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Useful option.? We exited at VVR last year.? How do I pick up a permit for SNF at VVR?? FYI today there were 9 (of 12) passes available for Mono trailhead even 10 minutes after it opened.? NONE available for Whitney exit, though, and I was right on time on recreation.gov.?
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Thanks
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Judy McGuire
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
no problem to reserve one for July or August with Whitney exit, all 6 are unclaimed.
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Henning
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Gesendet: Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2025 um 17:03
Von: "judithsmcguire via groups.io" <judithsmcguire@...>
Betreff: Re: [JMT-groups.io] Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Useful option.? We exited at VVR last year.? How do I pick up a permit for SNF at VVR?? FYI today there were 9 (of 12) passes available for Mono trailhead even 10 minutes after it opened.? NONE available for Whitney exit, though, and I was right on time on recreation.gov.?
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Thanks
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Judy McGuire
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Useful option.? We exited at VVR last year.? How do I pick up a permit for SNF at VVR?? FYI today there were 9 (of 12) passes available for Mono trailhead even 10 minutes after it opened.? NONE available for Whitney exit, though, and I was right on time on recreation.gov.?
?
Thanks
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Judy McGuire
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
One other thing to try is to check back on the Recreation.gov site at 7:15 or there abouts and then again later in the morning.? My experience, not on Whitney exit passes but on various Inyo entries, is that sometimes openinge show up a bit after 7:15 that weren't there right at 7.? I don't know why.? Perhaps some people begin the reservation process at 7, don't complete it, and the whole thing times out in 15 minutes.? Perhaps Recreation.gov actually staggers releases to defeat the bots.? Perhaps the place is just broken.? All I really know is that I did get permits last year, including the popular North Fork of Big Pine Creek, by checking in at intervals during the morning, including a couple of times between 7:15 and 8.? -- Jim Ringland
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I agree. Climbing and descending Mt Whitney from the East is quite easy and I believe allowed. Although beautiful, the exit via Whitney portal can be pretty trashed with garbage, vomit and used wag bags. ? It is also a long grind. ? On the plus side it¡¯s closer and walking off the mountain is its own reward. ?The PCT south of the Whitney junction is very nice and I recommend it. ?If you can¡¯t secure a Whitney Portal exit you won¡¯t be disappointed?
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On Jan 22, 2025, at 3:20?PM, Ian Goldsmith <ian@...> wrote:
? The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don¡¯t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side¡:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
Ian On Jan 22, 2025, at 3:09?PM, Ethan via groups.io <ethansinbox@...> wrote:
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!! "When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via <sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue. ? A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ? ? ? ?
? "?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) ¡°
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get , a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on .?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Sierra NF still needs ya to pick up permits in Prather right?
not exactly convenient from VVR... will they write permits at the High Sierra ranger station at Bosillo Creek? I have had the same question about the Dinkey Creek ranger station but haven't had the need yet.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Here's your solution :)
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Get a non-whitney permit for Mosquito Flat/Mono Pass for the day you intend to leave.
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Then get a whitney permit for Mono Creek for the day you anticipate reaching the JMT junction.? We don't know your dates, but they appear to be plentiful. Mono Creek is the trailhead for VVR. If you want to be strict about it, exit the trail via the ferry
to VVR, have a burger (or stay the night), then ferry back to the other side of the lake.? The ferry landing is about 1.5 miles from the JMT junction. If needed, there are great campsites across the bridge at the JMT junction, and another good one on the lake,
down slope from the trail, as you approach the landing. There's even a picnic table and bear boxes.
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You're welcome :)
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Another advantage of exiting at Horseshoe is that you don't need to carry a wag bag plus you can day hike Whitney from Crabtree.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 03:20:33 PM PST, Ian Goldsmith <ian@...> wrote:
The biggest advantage of exiting Horseshoe instead of Whitney portal is that you don¡¯t have to witness the idiocy that happens when monstrously ill prepared people attempt to climb Whitney from the portal side¡:-)
Besides there are some really nice spots on the way from Crabtree to Horseshoe Meadows.
On Jan 22, 2025, at 3:09?PM, Ethan via groups.io <ethansinbox@...> wrote:
Get the permit from Mono to Horseshoe Meadow. Yes you can get to Lone Pine from Horseshoe (easy hitch). You are allowed to summit Whitney on this permit. If for some reason you were to have a genuine emergency, for example your partner sent you an Inreach message saying the dog house was on fire or some such thing, the Rangers would permit an early exit via Whitney.
Not that I'm suggesting bending any rules here.
Also, rec gov takes forever to enter all the dates, but you can book a shorter trip and then after go back and change the itenerary and exit date (but not entry date or location).
Personally I'd exit at Horseshoe. It's a nice spot and you can also climb Langley on the way!! "When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing."? - Uncheedah
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 2:20?PM Sam Molinari via <sammolinari= [email protected]> wrote:
? ??I have recently been checking the Rec.gov web site for availability of permits to exit at Whitney.? Repeatedly all such permits are gone at exactly 7:00 am Pacific time.? This has occurred over a period
of 2 weeks.? Interestingly, even permits to exit at Whitney for a trail head with no direct route to Whitney (such as Fern/Yost Parker Lake) are listed as zero exactly at 7:00.? When I called Rec.gov, they told me that Inyo handles wilderness permits (which
is not true) and directed me to the Wilderness office where a recording directed to the Mammoth Visitor Center where I spoke with Ollie (sic).? He was not able to offer me much information but did say he thought that the Rush Creek trail head should have 15
daily permits exiting Whitney.? He also said I was the second person he had spoken to today about this issue. ? A few years ago, there was talk that permits for the NPs and NFs were being snapped up via some form of computer program.? Not certain if that is actually a concern or if the Rec.gov site is the issue (that
is what the ranger thought it might be) or there are simply to many people trying for too few permits. ? ? ? ?
? "?Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?) ¡°
This part is true. You can exit through Horseshoe Meadows.?
?
?
I've made 8 phone calls (following up on one email to Inyo NF) about this and been bounced from FS to eastern sierra regional office to (3 different places) back to Inyo FS HQ and then to Lone Pine FS.? I STILL do not have
an answer.? Maybe the wise people on this listserv can help.?
I want a permit to enter Mono Pass trail at Mosquito Flat and exit Whitney.? I'm playing around on Recreation.gov now to get ready for the actual dates I want so I can do it within a nanosecond of 7 AM Pacific time. ? I've found that most
days the entire quota (12) for that trailhead is for just backpacking and NOT for exiting at Whitney.? Not sure how many should be set aside for Whitney exit but it looks like none most days.? Oddly enough, there are some NRs (not released) and some zeroes
in that row going back in time.? Clearly operator error.?
I've tried to verify that
???? a) one is allowed to enter at Mono Pass and exit at Whitney (answer today:? yes that is allowed if you have the permit)
???? b) there should be permits on to do this.?
There appears to be a major disconnect between FS and .? None of the responsible government agencies appears to be able to get , a contractor, to correct the website.? No one who answers the phone at
has any idea what I'm talking about or can help and they pass me on to the next clueless person (or in one case a dead line).? The FS guys know very well that the website is failing but they can't do anything about it.?
So I asked a FS ranger in Lone Pine today what to do. Based on his advise, here's my plan of action.?
???? First I'm going to call early tomorrow morning to talk to another ranger in Lone Pine who today's ranger told me might know more.?
???? Second, I will continue trying to get a Whitney exit permit on .?
???? Third, when I'm hitting the end of my starting window, if I can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'm going to get the regular Mono backpacking pass .
???? Fourth,? if I fail to get a Mono/Whitney permit 6 months out, I'll try for a last minute (nee "walk up") permit two weeks before .?
???? Fifth, if I still can't get a Mono/Whitney pass, I'll bring my Mono Pass backpacking permit to the FS office in Mammoth Lakes and grovel, tell them my sad story and hope they give me a Whitney exit permit;
???? Finally, if that fails, I guess I'll have to add three days onto my journey, and, after summiting Whitney, hike south to Horseshoe Meadows, where, I was told, I can exit to Lone Pine (true?)? . ? OR I could risk getting a $1000 fine
by exiting Whitney without a permit but doing so at night because the rangers leave at 6 PM.?
Any other solutions out there?? Does anyone have any insight as to how to get to correct its website?? I do NOT want to exit on the Western side because it's too hard to get back to civilization.?
?
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
I'm afraid I'm going to get ripped for this , but here goes.?
?
I had a Kearsarge to Horseshoe Meadows permit a couple years ago.? After reaching summit of Whitney, I was not sure I had a couple more days in me, so I stayed at Trail Camp that night and came out Whitney Portal the next day at noon.? Used WAG bag. nobody asked me for a permit.? Figured that was better than running out of gas trying to make Horseshoe Meadows.? I figured it was a risk worth taking, and it worked out.? I was hiking solo, 61 years old, 6'10" tall, not the typical backpacker. Did what I needed to do.
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It was late September, trail going down to WP was not so busy.? An extra 18 miles might have cost me two days, hard to say. Was a great way to end my adventure, one of the great experiences of my life, I have no regrets.?
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Chuck Fannin
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(And I was doing a better job at LNT than the folks leaving their full WAG bags in the middle of the trail.....)
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
From the summit of Mt. Whitney, it is 10-11 miles to Whitney Portal and 28-29 miles to Horseshoe Meadows. The difference is only 18 miles, which is well under 3 extra days. And the hike out would be much more pleasant than passing the hordes of hikers on the Portal trail.?
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Here's your solution :)
?
Get a non-whitney permit for Mosquito Flat/Mono Pass for the day you intend to leave.
?
Then get a whitney permit for Mono Creek for the day you anticipate reaching the JMT junction.? We don't know your dates, but they appear to be plentiful. Mono Creek is the trailhead for VVR. If you want to be strict about it, exit the trail via the ferry to VVR, have a burger (or stay the night), then ferry back to the other side of the lake.? The ferry landing is about 1.5 miles from the JMT junction. If needed, there are great campsites across the bridge at the JMT junction, and another good one on the lake, down slope from the trail, as you approach the landing. There's even a picnic table and bear boxes.
?
You're welcome :)
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
Mono Pass (South) is a day or two from Lake Edison. So you could get an Inyo permit for that portion, then a Sierra NF permit for Mono Creek (the ferry landing) to the Portal. You would have to get SNF to cooperate in regards to their usual rules about picking up the permit.
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Re: Permit entering at Mono Pass (Mosquito Flat) exiting Whitney
For Inyo permits, you must have an exit permit for Whitney to be able to exit via WP, in addition to your entry permit. The exit permits are very difficult to get since there aren't many of them. That's why lots of people exit via Cottonwood Pass. You do not need an exit permit for entry permits issued by the other agencies such as Yosemite, SEKI or Sierra National Forest, though you do have to select Whitney as you exit.?
Inga
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Henning Rech
Tim Mulholland
WanderingJim
Inga
Jim Ringland
Charles Fannin