CAMPING POCKET KNIFE

[lambertiana]

Of those two I would take the Millie.

But as others have noted, I would recommend something smaller and lighter and skip the fixed blade. I have been on Whitney eight times from six different approach routes and I don’t see a need for anything large. If you are approaching from the west side campfires are prohibited above 10,000’ and completely prohibited on the trail out of Whitney Portal. On the east side in that area (Inyo National Forest) fires are prohibited above 10,400’ if you are starting at Cottonwood/Horseshoe or Onion Valley. These fire restrictions effectively mean no fires at all because no matter where you start by the time you get a day into the trip you are already in a prohibited zone unless you are doing a route that starts on the west side. The only east side approach exception would be if you start at Onion Valley and go all the way to Vidette Meadow on the first day, and that location is below 10,000’.

I do a lot of backpacking in the Sierra and I can say that a little more weight can make a big difference on longer trips. I highly recommend reducing your pack weight as much as possible.

Which route are you planning on taking? I have most likely done it and can offer pointers.

 

[Franciscomv]

If I had to choose between the two knives you listed, I'd go with the Military 2 just because of weight. I love ZT, and the 0308 in particular, but it's bulky and heavy.

However, I just wouldn't bother with a big folder if you're already going to have a fixed blade. I've worked outdoors for years (many of them as a guide on the Andes mountains) and never carried any of my single blade folders. Fixed blades are just better at everything. Something light and practical, paired with a SAK or multitool. Even a basic SAK will give you one or two extra knife blades, some multitools have higher quality steel on their blades.

 

[Alberta Ed]

A SAK is probably adequate for 99% of camp chores.

 

[fuyume]

I've been looking for a larger pocket folder as a back up for my fixed blade. Going up Mt. Whitney for a week. Camping, hiking, fishing... And all related activities.
Help me choose between the Blade HQ Exclusive Spyderco Military 2 CTS 204P and Zero Tolerance 0308 in 20CV. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stay safe.

For an outdoors knife? Neither of those. $300-$450 is not a good idea for a hard use outdoors knife. Do yourself and your bank account a favor and buy something like an Ontario RAT I. Or get a Victorinox Farmer X Alox. One other that occurs to me, if you simply must have a nicer knife, is the Spartan Talos II, which is $115 MSRP, and has a proven heritage. The Talos II is essentially an upgraded Gerber Harsey Air Ranger, although I actually prefer the tip-down pocket clip of the Gerber. I have an original Air Ranger, from when they were introduced, and made in Taiwan of AUS8 steel. It's my favorite "beater" pocket knife. Unfortunately, the current Air Ranger is now made in China out of cheaper steel and is only available partially serrated, but it's still a decent budget knife. If you can find a vintage Air Ranger or Air Ranger II in great condition, they are a great buy.

 

[cb4life_30]

I recommend a SAK. Either a Farmer X for something light weight but very capable. If you want something larger maybe the Trail finder. I have both, the Farmer X is my edc and the Trailfinder is in my go bag. If you're looking specifically for a single blade option the Spyderco Endura was my go to folder on deployment. It practically disappears in your pocket.

 

[LJTanzer]

Of those two I would take the Millie.

But as others have noted, I would recommend something smaller and lighter and skip the fixed blade. I have been on Whitney eight times from six different approach routes and I don’t see a need for anything large. If you are approaching from the west side campfires are prohibited above 10,000’ and completely prohibited on the trail out of Whitney Portal. On the east side in that area (Inyo National Forest) fires are prohibited above 10,400’ if you are starting at Cottonwood/Horseshoe or Onion Valley. These fire restrictions effectively mean no fires at all because no matter where you start by the time you get a day into the trip you are already in a prohibited zone unless you are doing a route that starts on the west side. The only east side approach exception would be if you start at Onion Valley and go all the way to Vidette Meadow on the first day, and that location is below 10,000’.

I do a lot of backpacking in the Sierra and I can say that a little more weight can make a big difference on longer trips. I highly recommend reducing your pack weight as much as possible.

Which route are you planning on taking? I have most likely done it and can offer pointers.

Just the "Mount Whitney Trail."

 

[lambertiana]

Just the "Mount Whitney Trail."

No fires are allowed on the Mt Whitney trail from Portal.

Are you doing it in one day or spending at least one night higher on the trail? I did it in a day once...never again. All the way up you have summit fever and don't notice how far it is. Halfway down I was already thinking "I don't remember it being so far". The entire hike, including perhaps half an hour or 45 minutes on top, took me 14 hours. Start early - 3AM. That way you can get to the summit before any afternoon thunderstorms come up. If there is a thunderstorm head down. And the stone cabin on top is no shelter in a thunderstorm, despite the lightning rod and thick grounding cables. I know someone who was up there when someone inside the cabin was killed by lightning.

I never treat my water in the Sierra high country, but I refuse to drink from the stream running down by the Whitney trail. There is too much fecal matter in that basin. The streams coming in from the side, such as the small one coming in from the south just down from Outpost Camp, are fine. As is the water that runs across the trail on the switchbacks above Trail Camp.

Do you have permits already?

 

[BD_01]

I have an older Spyderco in 204p and I can’t overstate how well that steel has performed. It probably surprises no one for me to say Spyderco must have their heat treatment dialed!

I think PM2s are excellent work knives, but I don’t particularly like them for carry. And were it me personally, I try to shed weight and bulk as much as possible when I’m going backcountry. I almost alway have a lightweight stainless Spyderco in pocket when backpacking (Spy-27, Magnacut, or LC200n).