I finally made another summit after a many year drought on Wednesday. The weather was terrific and I did record time to the summit, mostly pumped by all the nice hikers who were also pumped. We were all determined to make it, although the requisite number dropped out due to altitude.
I had posted earlier Does Anyone Have The Cure for Pre-Hike Jitters and had helped myself overcome this by:
1. Pack your backpack BEFORE you go to sleep. You won't keep waking up thinking about what you forgot.
2. I put out my hiking clothes in the order I would put them on, like a fireman who keeps his clothes and boots by the side of the bed and that's the first thing he steps into. Saves time hunting for those socks who sneak away.
3.Bear-proofed the car before I went to bed, so not to wake up wondering what the bear would think was food and would I return to find windows smashed.
I slept 3 good hours and that was enough to get me over the top.
The 97 switchbacks.
Some new hikers had their minds made up to fear them before they set foot on them. They are not that hard and to take your mind off the distance, just marvel at how the trail builders put a trail on the side of a steep mountain that was once only scree. The rock walls they built without mortar and modern machinery is one of the little Wonders of The World. I have to admit though I got a little acrophobia (?) towards the last 2 long switchbacks. It was like being on the window ledge of a very tall building and looking down with nothing below.
We had a small party at Trail Crest before heading to the summit. Just easy all the way this time, a perfect day. Ray, I hope you found Donna, she went back twice to the top looking for you.
Question: Whitney looks very close from the switchbacks, almost only a 1/2 mile away as the crow flies. Does anyone know if this is true?
Also the incredible rock formation above that last 100 feet to Trail Crest on the south side of the 97 switchbacks that looks for all the world like a crown. Is that nature made or man-made? Looks like a logo for the Whitney region.
Anyway all you hikers new to Whitney, don't fear the distance or altitude (if you're acclimated), just enjoy the wonders of this trail. Even if you don't make the summit you're in for a heck of an experience. You will never forget it and you'll be back many times like all of us on this board.
