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Mount Whitney
After summiting Yosemite's Half Dome a few years ago, I decided I needed to set my sights on another goal. Mount Whitney it was. So in January of 2002 I gathered a list of four other friends and sent in our permit application on February 1, 2002. Mount Whitney is the only location that I am aware of that requires a permit for day hikes. I waited and waited for notification, finally giving up hope. Then my wife called me at work to say the permit reservation came in the mail that day. We were set!
Out of the original five in the "Mount Whitney Death-March Group" two of us remained, me and Tom. The others had canceled for various reasons. We were joined by another two friends of mine, Peter and Jim. They were traveling with their own permit…it's a long (and costly) story. Tom and his wife Jean graciously prepared a spaghetti dinner that evening for us, complete with garlic bread and salad. Nothing like a little carbo-loading before the trip! Thanks again guys!
After a year of planning, training and anticipation the day was finally here. We awoke early in the morning of August 7, 2002 to start our journey. Before leaving I gathered the group for a photo. It was dark and I had hoped I got the camera focused. I guess I didn't. We were on the trail by 4:20 AM. Hope to be back before dark.
Tom had hiked to Lone Pine Lake a few days before, so we let him lead the way. The trail was easy to follow by the light of our headlamps. Sunrise was a welcome change though, now we could see the views.
This log bridge provides easy passage over Lone Pine Creek. Rocks provide passage over other crossings.
The early morning light on Thor Peak is hard to miss. I can only imagine what sunrise on Mt. Whitney would be like!
After roughly 2-½ miles of climbing, this flat section above Lone Pine Lake is a welcome, but brief relief.
The Whitney Zone begins past Lone Pine Lake just before the climb to Outpost Camp. From here you must have a permit or face a fine and be turned back.
As the sun rises over the valley, so does the smoke from fires in the nearby Sequoia National Forest. Luckily the air isn't filled with smoke, but it does make for some interesting photos.
We arrive at Outpost Camp about three hours after departing. This is one of two campgrounds on the way to the summit.
Another stream crossing, complete with a small waterfall. There is no lack of water on the first 6 miles of the Whitney Trail.
We stop at the shore of Mirror Lake to snack, take pictures and to reflect on our journey so far.
After our brief stop at Mirror Lake we are on our way once again. The next goal is Trail Camp, roughly half way to the summit.
The trail becomes difficult at times, especially nearing 12,000'. So far everyone is doing well though.
We are nearing Trail Camp now. I turned around to survey our progress so far and see Tom making his way along the ridge. He is in the left-middle section of the photo. The smoke rising from the valley is rather eerie looking.
We stopped at Trail Camp to have lunch and to fill our water bottles as it is the last reliable water source on the trail. I've used approximately 64 ounces so far. After taking a much needed rest we were ready to tackle the famous switchbacks. I've heard there were 97 or 99. All I know is there's a lot of them.
Part-way up the switchbacks and we reach the cables. This was one section of trail that I had previously been concerned about. Since there was no snow and ice, I had little to worry about, so onward we went.
In life we sometimes need to look behind us in order to appreciate were we are now. On the trail is no different. The lake at trail Camp on the left and Consultation Lake on the right can be seen with ease on the switchbacks.
On the trail as in life though, you can't make progress by looking behind you all the time. We push on to Trail Crest, 13,600'.
Jim and I make it to Trail Crest first and a few minutes later Peter shows up. We haven't seen Tom since the start of the switchbacks. The three of us push on toward the summit and figure Tom will get there at his own pace.
Once at Trail Crest the weather gets much colder. We stop long enough to show the Park Ranger our permits, put jackets on and take some more pictures. This is looking west towards Mount Hitchcock and Hitchcock Lakes.
Appropriately-named Guitar Lake is also visible as we walk along the trail.
From Trail Crest it's another 1.9 miles to the summit. Should be there in no time now!
This is looking through one of several windows along the trail, my other concern. The east side of the trail has several small jagged peaks or needles. The base of these peaks form a "V" or window allowing you a very dramatic view some thousand feet below. What makes the windows trying for some is that the trail is somewhat narrow, the west side of the trail is somewhat exposed and you have breaks (windows) in the "secure" east wall offering a one-way ticket down the mountain. Add a stiff breeze and I suppose it could be a little trying. Truth is, the trail is at least 6-8 feet wide, exposure isn't that bad and it's only a 10-15 foot section that you have to deal with.
Now past the windows and you can just make out the summit hut. So far so good. Peter says he has a headache, but you couldn't tell by how he is hiking. I don't have a headache but I am feeling tired, stopping every 50 feet or so to rest.
Hiking past Keeler Needle and some of the windows. The summit is just above us now!
We finally made it! It's hard to believe after all of the planning, training, anticipation and worry we are finally here!
It's a long way down there…
This is the summit hut. As inviting as it may be it is not safe to stay in when a lightning storm approaches. The man in the picture was waiting for his 80 year-old father to join him at the top. He finally made it as we were leaving. What an accomplishment!
From up here you can see the smoke from the fires at Sequoia National Forest. It did obscure some of the view, but not too bad.
The impressive face of Keeler Needle.
The three of us made the summit in 10 hours. We later found out Tom made it past Trail Crest before turning around due to altitude sickness.
After taking a few more pictures it was time to head back down. It would take us until 9:30 that evening to get back…17 hours total. It was a long day, but very rewarding. As I sit here a few days after the hike, I think I'm suffering from low altitude sickness…I must go back up there! Until next time…
Posted
February 25, 2022
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“Hikin Mike”
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