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The emotional highs and lows of a weekend trip up Mt. Whitney

Late Wednesday night (8/23), my colleague approached me with the great gift of an alternate spot on a 6 member Whitney expedition. I quickly accepted the gracious offer and further pushed to get my 62 year old father on the trip as well. Summiting in June, I was mentally & physically prepared, but had no idea the lasting impression my 3rd trip would have on me.

Camped at Portal Friday night to acclimate, after meeting my international group (two Indians, Ganesh & Vijay, Vagalis from Greece, Jan from Taiwan, and Californian’s Lane, Dan & myself) we embarked on our trip on Saturday a.m. at approximately 8:00. We gave Dan (my father) a 1 ½ hour head start only to find his methodical, yet steady pace waiting for our young legs just before Trail Camp. Along the way, I was inspired by the ½ a dozen or so groups that were leaving the Sierras from tours on the JMT and SNP trails (I secretly dream about being laid off so I can take such a once in a lifetime trip!). The weather was more than perfect when we got to trail camp, warm, sunny and virtually no imposing High Sierra wind. Every thing went according to plan, no altitude sickness or even headaches for the entire group. Two enthused members of our group, Vagalis and Vijay, decided to make the Summit and returned at approximately 6:00 to report excellent trail conditions and reverence to join the rest of the team for the Summit day on Sunday morning. Trail camp was fairly snug with typical August crowds, but the boisterous nature of each team kept the mood of the camp in great spirits. Of particular note was the Bulgarian group, who were especially excited to be there and lifted all spirits around them (so bummed I missed GM time at the Summit house!). We camped next to a great father son duo, Pete & Conner from HB.

Just before turning in at approx 10:00 a day hiker (Marion) made her way into trail camp via the Summit to report that one of her colleagues (Marylyn) was hurt and remained at Trial Crest. They were attempting a day hike via the Mountaineers route when they were separated by the other two members of their party due to Marylyn taking a fall while scrambling up the notch. After summiting, she suffered another setback spraining/breaking her ankle forcing Marion to head down alone to seek help. She reached her goal of notifying someone of the situation and was vehemently intent on returning for her friend to bring her down. After evaluating Marion for dehydration, body temp and AMS, our group outfitted her with extra clothing, food, emergency blankets, trekking poles and a radio to maintain contact. As she made her way back up the switchbacks, myself and Lane went to try to locate the forest ranger to notify him of the situation. Unfortunately her rescue attempt came up short and she returned to trail camp without Marylyn. Marion clearly had lost her energy and was probably suffering from some slight AMS when she returned. We decided to keep her down at trail camp while we determined if it was best to attempt the rescue when day light broke. We borrowed Pete’s satellite phone and at 11:38p.m. and placed a call to my good backcountry partner, Chris. He spend the next hour at his home in Montrose on the phone (and another hour at 5:00 Sunday morning) with Inyo County Sheriffs to arrange for a search and rescue.

While deliberating on what our best options were at that point, a light came upon me that was greater than the extraordinary Perseid Meteor Shower Mother Nature had planed for that night. It was the head lamp of the weekend’s hero, Jonathan, a solo night hiker from Northern California. I debriefed him on the situation of a stranded day hiker which could not be located and encouraged him to keep an eye out near trail crest. Sure enough, Jonathan found Marylyn and kept her hypothermia from progressing by putting the both of them in his sleeping bag to warm her up. Early in the morning Marion caught up with Jonathon and retained her vow to her battered friend. It wasn’t until 5:00 that evening (why I have not idea since S&R was notified the night before and acted the morning of) until she was AirVac’d out from Outpost camp.

Those two girls displayed such great courage and perseverance all the while maintaining the brightest attitude that we all should look up to. Nonetheless, let this serve a serious warning that despite near perfect weather, the “MW highway” is still an extremely dangerous place and safety, preparation and prudence should be placed at the top every hiker’s priorities no matter how experienced a guest of the wilderness is. Aside from the dramatic events that took place, summiting with my Dad was an amazing happening that I will hold dearly in my heart.

I guess Brian said it all in his post. Kudos are in order to member of our group Dan, who summitted on Sunday and made it back great time and excellent shape. I hope to be that fit when I am his age. I read the posts about Marion's story, Brian and Lane did a great job keeping in touch with Marion all the time when she was up. I felt a little guilty that I did not volunteer to go up with Marion to look for Marylyn. I dont know why it did not strike me at that time. It was a big relief to see the ladies making their way back on Sunday morning. Cheers!!

"she was AirVac’d out from Outpost camp"

How did Marylyn get from Trail Crest to Outpost Camp? Thanks.

She hobbled gingerly. Marion and the two rangers (Dave & Chris) helped her down all that way to Outpost camp. I guess it must be really hard to land at Trail Camp, or maybee just coordinate it all, seemed to me it was overly difficult to coordinate with CHP and the Forest dispatch.

See the "thank you" post for more. I spoke to the CHP pilot at Outpost. The CHP chopper circled for an hour and was unable to locate the injured person on the trail, and apparently there were some communication difficulties between CHP and Parks to pinpoint her location. There are also limited places for a helicopter to land on the trail due to terrain and altitude. I witnessed the chopper landing at Outpost and he basically stuck it down on one of the only hard flat surfaces available near the trail. Once he landed, things got smoother as the CHP pilot and the Ranger were able to talk directly and resolve the communication problem.

Yeah, to be honest I felt very guilty as well and struggled with whether or not to go. As a first-timer, unfamiliar with the trail (and feeling slight AMS) I didn't feel quite prepared to go up the switchbacks in the middle of the night and didn't want to become a liability. I'm just thankful everyone survived. And thanks to Brian for keeping a level head and providing a calming influence through it all.

-L

I was the one who received the midnight call on the sat. phone from Brian and spent a few hours trying to coordinate with Inyo County SAR given the limited information I had. Have a few comments.

1) One simple mistake can snow ball into a very bad situation extremely easily, even on a trail seemingly as hospitable as Whitney. If Doug had a dollar for every post of this nature, I'm sure he would be a very wealthy man. Never underestimate your environment, be it city or backcountry

2) The value and importance of preparedness, safety and judgment just can not be overstated. Those new to this board or to the back country should take heed.

3) It is easy to sit here in the warm and safe confines of homes and offices and pass judgment on the decision and actions that were taken. You can prepare and train and educate yourself to minimize the potential and exposure to disaster but until you are in that situation you just never know how you are going to react. I have seen some very experienced and seasoned men make very poor decisions, completely buckle and/or shut down. Given the level of experience and resources available to this group, my hat is off to everyone for practicing a sound measure of safety, judgment and responsibility. Again, say what you will about what got them into the situation but from what I have spoken to Brian about and have read in these postings, I think everyone should be commended on a job well done.

4) It is difficult to scramble SAR and at best their response time to on-scene will be many, many hours from the time of an accident. As with the above, making ones self knowledgeable in simple first aid, safety and rescue techniques, etc. will may you a valuable resource to have around. I think you will find that the application of these skills will come in times and in environments when least expected.

5) Surviving disaster builds character. Reflect on it, learn and live your life well knowing you have one more pearl of wisdom in your pocket.