WNW Edge

Fun interesting scrambling with big exposure -- to reach an ultra-dramatic summit (nothing like the top of Mt Whitney) with dramatic views down in three directions.

This "edge" route is notable for an exciting finish sequence below the top of the big vertical wall.

. . Could be nice for climbers who for social/family reasons find themselves joined into a team hiking up the Mt Whitney Trail.

. . (The "other" edge, Southwest from the Day / Crooks peak, is also fun scrambling on interesting rock structures: 300 feet, 4th class).

Leave the main hiking trail next to the notch between Keeler Needle and Day / Crooks Peak, and head roughly ESE up toward the pointy summit. As get near the peak, look for the chance to climb down in below the top of the wall, finish in that manner.

Starts at the notch between Keeler Needle and Day / Crooks Peak -- GPS latitude longitude approx (N36.5749 W118.2927) -- which is next to the Mt Whitney hiking trail. Day / Crooks is the second dramatic peak south along the ridge from the Mt Whitney summit.

Simple way to find it is to hike down from the Mt Whitney summit on the main hiking trail (at first marked by rock-stack cairns): WNW then SSW then SE -- about 0.6 mile distance.

Or if coming from the south from Trail Crest or the John Muir Trail, the start of this route is north about 1.85 miles on Mt Whitney Trail from the junction of the John Muir Trail (coming up from the west) with the Mt Whitney Trail (coming down from the south a very short ways past Trail Crest).

Protection for trad leading is unknown.