Mt. Whitney Volunteer corps
This summer, Friends of the Inyo and the Inyo National Forest have launched a new pilot stewardship program: the Mount Whitney Volunteer Corps. We’ve recruited a small group of experienced hikers to help keep Mt. Whitney cleaner and to share on-the-ground updates with USFS rangers during peak season.
What our volunteers will be up to:
- They’ve each committed to 4 hikes during peak season, June – September. Their goal is to reach Trail Camp on each visit, but they may continue to the summit if desired.
- On the descent, they’ll be packing out trash (only what they can reasonably and safely carry).
- Afterwards, they’ll each share a brief conditions report with USFS rangers.
Volunteers will be registered as official USFS volunteers, so they don’t need a permit to hike the mountain as part of this program. Volunteer trips are pre-planned and scheduled with the USFS.
Why this program?
Mount Whitney sees 30,000 – 40,000 visitors each year, leading to serious trash and human waste impacts that pose environmental and public health concerns. With severely limited staffing, USFS rangers spend a disproportionate amount of time addressing these issues, reducing their capacity to focus on trail infrastructure, public education, and stewardship across the Mt. Whitney Ranger District. While Friends of the Inyo does host a Trail Ambassador on the Mt. Whitney Ranger District each summer to help fill this gap, even more help is needed! The Mount Whitney Volunteer Corps helps by placing trained volunteers on the trail during peak season, easing the burden on rangers. The program offers a meaningful opportunity for hikers shut out by the permit lottery to access Whitney, while giving back to the land.
Interested in applying for 2027? Email stewardship@friendsoftheinyo.org with your relevant experience and a short note on why you’re interested in joining the Mount Whitney Volunteer Corps.
summer 2026 Volunteers
Mike
Mike Wangler is a former geography & earth sciences professor who currently works as an educational administrator at Barstow College in the Mojave Desert. He has extensive trekking experience in the high Sierra, including the High Sierra Trail, the John Muir Trail, and a circumnavigation of Yosemite National Park. From his home base in the Mojave, he enjoys exploring the wild landscapes of the high desert and eastern Sierra, and looks forward to returning to the Whitney Zone this summer.
Jeff
Jeff Miller serves as dean at Deep Springs College, a small, liberal arts college located in the Deep Springs Valley on a working ranch. Prior to his time at Deep Springs, he taught at New York University, the University of Memphis, and the State University of New York New Paltz. He’s the author of multiple academic articles, and you can find his most recent book, Democracy in Crisis: Lessons from Ancient Athens, in bookstores and online. Jeff grew up in San Diego and is an active runner and mountaineer.
Amanda
Amanda first discovered the beauty of the Eastern Sierra while studying geology in college. Since then, she has spent over a decade exploring the Sierra backcountry through trail running, climbing, and backpacking. Amanda is passionate about community and giving back to the wild places she loves through stewardship, education, and being a member of Inyo County Search and Rescue.
Pam
Pam’s love of the outdoors took root in the Smoky Mountains of Kentucky, where she spent her youth hiking and backpacking before moving to California and falling in love with the Sierra. For over 35 years, she has explored the range on foot, both independently and as a Sierra Club National Outings leader, guiding multi-day trips that foster connection to the land, build backcountry skills, and encourage responsible wilderness stewardship. Volunteering on the Mount Whitney Trail is a natural expression of that same dedication. She takes pride in supporting efforts to protect these landscapes and help preserve and maintain one of the most iconic trails in the country. Off the trail, Pam divides her time between her cabin in Aspendell and Southern California, where she lives with her husband, three sons, and two Labradors. She works in Biotechnology as a graphic designer and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Hannah
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