Hi all -
First of all, wanted to thank all of you that have posted advice to the Whitney First Timers. All great stuff, it really helps and I'm very grateful.
I've been a hiker for most of my life, just never got into the REALLY long or high altitude hikes. But a friend planted a seed 10 years ago, and this year the opportunity finally presented itself. Got my permit for the MWT for 2, but my original hiking partner didn't work out. I asked around (both here on the WPS site, and with friends). Found a buddy (actual name is Bud), who has hiked Mt Whitney several times.
Just turned 50 last December. I'm in great shape, have been all my life. I've been working out and going on many practice hikes for many months this year to get ready. San Diego has a lot of smaller mountains, and I hit them hard. Also added a weekly stair climb to the mix for several months(up and down a 17 story building 7 to 10 times each visit).
The month prior to my hike day, got in both San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. I gotta say, the San G hike is a killer. I hit a wall between 10,000' and 11,500'. That scared me, because I knew I had to go higher - 12K, 13K and 14K.
Got to Horseshoe Meadows camp on Aug 21 and 22 for two nights to get used to the climate. Day hikes both days to 11K. Then to WP camp on Aug 23 and 24. Took a day hike to LP lake for my last warm up hike. Side note, Monday the 23rd was "bear night". Those pesky guys were doing there best to keep the campers awake. Luckily, they were only checking the bear boxes for food - whew!
Stayed down at LP campground on the 25th, and got to bed early.
We were up at 1:45am on Aug 26, and on the trail at 2:45am. Pack weighed in at 18 lbs, 3 liters of water, filter, snacks, one extra layer shirt for the summit. We had heard there was a 50% chance of rain, but the sky was very clear for our start.
Here's where all that training and all that WPS forum advice paid off. Slow steady pace. Nibble, nibble, nibble. Sip, sip, sip. Short breaks now and then. Bud and I made good time, and we maintained the pace all the way. I refilled another 2 liters from the switchback spring. Just a few clouds in the sky.
Got up to Trail Crest, I was very excited. I'm at 13,600' and I felt great! On practice hikes in the past, I was out of gas and my lungs were shot. But not anymore, I'm going to summit! We saw and heard the storm coming from the west, dark clouds and thunder. So we took off for the summit. The down from Trail Crest was nice, but I remembered that we'll have to go up this again soon (that was a TOUGH section going back up it). Bud got to the summit a half hour before me. But, I finally reached the top at 10:15am. Yahoooo! Finally achieved my goal I've only dreamed of. So cool up there at 14,505'. We knew the storm was coming, so we couldn't stay long. Had a snack, a few pictures and signed in the log. Took off at 10:30am.
By the time we got past Trail Camp, the rain and hail started.
Dummy me, I had taken out my rain coat to save on weight. I know, rookie mistake. Arrrghhh! We both decided to keep going, and never stopped again. We got soaked, but we didn't care.
The rain and hail started and stopped a few times, and finally stopped when we reached Outpost Camp. Bud and I just kept going, and got to the WP trail head at 3:30pm.
7 1/2 hours up, and 5 hours down. Two mistakes I made. Removing the rain gear to save on weight, and forgot my cell phone to make a few calls at the top. It's funny, the whole week I stayed up around the WP area camping, my hike day Aug 26 had the rain storm. Every other day/night was clear and beautiful - Go figure. Can't complain. It all worked out and now I can say, "I'm in the club" I hiked Mt Whitney in a day! Yahoooooo!
John
