Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board second attempt

Hi all,
I was hot to trot on this message board a few months back before my first trip up the mountain. I had my first summit try back on 6/4/04. We had a great time but had to turn back right at (and I mean right at) the mind knumbing switchbacks. My hiking pal could not think corectly. And was starting to be confruntational. Maybe the altitude or his insistance on sticking to his crappy "AKINS" diet since Januray.
Anyway it was good to get that far. My new problem is i want to solo it this may 05.
Does anyone have coments on making a summit solo for the first time. I have hiked for years and am in good shape now and wil be alot better preped for May.

Please any comment would be good.

Leorux

In my opinion you would have no problems going solo in similar conditions, based on what you said. I hike a lot by myself - and it's not like the Whitney trail is deserted.

However, May can be very rough in terms of snow and ice above trail camp. The hike takes on a whole different complexion - the switchbacks are sometimes impossible to hike, requiring snow climbing straight up the slope, ice axe, etc. I suggest you plan for later in the summer unless you've had snow and ice experience.

For late summer, plan on the point you reached last time being a little less than "halfway there" in terms of time and energy exertion (not in terms of mileage - the mileage halfway point is around trailside meadow). In May, you'd just be getting started at the base of the switchbacks.

By the way, I lost 80 lbs on Atkins a few years ago, and the diet has absolutely done wonders for my energy level on hikes. If your friend is like me, and if he stays with it, he will undergo a transformation that allows him much longer sustained exertion. At least that's what happened to me.

By far the best 2 things that you can do to make a successful summit bid are to a) get in great shape (especially by hiking a lot - multi-hour hikes on mountain terrain with a pack 5-10 pounds above what you will carry) and b) get acclimated to altitude in the 2-3 days before your climb. If you are fit and acclimated, you will make it and have a great time in the process.

leroux1:

Join my group on 9/21 - I have an extra permit - you don't have to stay with the group - you can go solo. Let me know - click on my email icon and we can talk

Tony

>>the mileage halfway point is around trailside meadow<<

Au contraire -- the mileage halfway point is at the summit, unless you plan on flying back to the trailhead. :-)

CaT

Someone should put a sign up on the summit saying "You're halfway there!"

That would be cool.

Your margin of safety is cut by going solo, therefore, if you don't want to be a burden to thoughs on the mountain you must listen your body. If it says go back you don't push forward. The same goes for weather if it is marginal you don't go forward and lastly you stick to your plan without deviations.

Bill

It's not on the summit, but it is there:

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This is one of the new posters at the trailhead.

I don't want to go off-topic by talking about the Atkins Diet, but just briefly:

How can anyone remain on that diet while in the process of hiking? You *have* to have carbs when you do long hikes. I don't see finishing Whitney without a lot of pain if you're munching solely on proteins like tuna or meat. I can see some tuna on long hikes, but only if you're balancing it out with carbs, which is the stable thing hikers eat when hiking. Carbs are what's needed while hiking, primarily.

I'm not attacking the Atkins Diet in your spare time, just saying that while doing Whitney, it's not the time to remain on it.