Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board If At First You Don't Succeed... Try Again.

TR and photos at: http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/gallery/3155987

Some random comments and (real and rhetorical) questions:

* Hey MooseTracks, my overnight pack weighed 12 pounds according to the scale at the Trailhead.

* (Why do I keep forgetting her name?) When I stopped in at the Visitor's Center for my permit, I asked about campsites at Girl Scout Lake and was told there were a couple of really good ones. Very accurate info based on the one that I used.

* Cliff Shot Bloks qualify as Miracle Food. This was the second time that I've depended on it to get me going again and it works!

* I think the thread on Diamox should switch over to the multiple uses for Viagra. It's other intended purpose is much more intersting than glaucoma.

* Why is it that I can have such a bad day and then have such an easy day at much higher elevation?

* Those contemplating following in Jack's footsteps should give it some real serious thought. It will be very, very difficult and he qualifies as "he is the man!" And if you do give it a go, post a TR whether you succeed, or fail. I may, or may not, try it next month. It's been on my list for a number of years. (And for those who ask why: because it's Whitney and doing crazy things fits in with the nature of the thing. Why did I do an ascent in each month of the year? And follow it up with a one-day in every month of the year? And follow that up with an attempt at 12 consective months on the summit (11 down; 1 to go)? And why do some people head up barefoot? Why naked? Because it's Whitney and we're obsessed! It's obvious, Isn't it?)

* If I ever find myself telling a beautiful young woman that the worst is over, I'm going to follow that statement up with actual guidance on how to keep things easy.

* I purchased a Flash bag recently. I found that my legs were cold overnight at GSL (didn't have the problem at UBSL the next night since I carried a pair of sweats up). What's the Ultralight solution to my dilemma? If I have to carry pants, etc to keep my legs warm, I might as well have stuck to my original spring bag.

* Did you miss me during my 45-day absence?

* Who wants to join me for my 35th anniversary next month? I think MooseTracks is going to cache some booze on the summit for us.

Actually, we were wondering what had happened to you. Now you're back with no explanation? Thought maybe a sink hole had captured you for real this time:)

If you think Shot Blocks are good, try Hammer Gel.

Richard, your summit book signature on 7/14 says

"11 down 12go"

http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/photos/173367584-L.jpg

so does this mean a summit in each of 11 months? which one is left?
Harvey

Hey there! Glad to see you got my little love note Saturday. Wanted to head up, but Mike and I had a blast up around Bishop Pass instead!

When is the actual "anniversary"? Maybe I can con you into helping me carry some of my food for the trip up to Trail Crest. (Right now that's twice your overnight pack weight alone! Ack! I better be able to catch some darn trout out there!)

You know, Mike, Beach, and I toyed with an idea of a overnight on the summit on the 18th which would be my last night, then perhaps coming down the MR. Depends on how my pack would fit down the chimney!! Someone said something about steak??

-L

I used Clif Shot (?) gel last summer for Horseshoe Meadows to Whitney and Onion Valley to Whitney Portal, but didn't like the fact that my hands kept getting sticky from the gel. When I walked into a bicycle shop a few weeks ago, they had the Bloks on sale and I decided to try them. I had no problem with sticky fingers with these.



Next month will make 12 consecutive months of summits. I finished a climb in each month years ago and one-day climbs in each month in 2005. (If I wasn't heading out of the country in September, I'd try and make it ascents in each month of a calendar year. The past two December's with Rick Kent have been real epics! I know we both said "never again" after the last one, but you know how we are. (Especially Rick K.))



I did see your note. My initial reaction was the same as when Rick G left one on my car at Icehouse Canyon. "Damn! Why'd I get a citation?"

I don't know the actual date of the anniversary (lost contact with the person I went up with and lost my photo album/scrapbook from the event). I've pretty much decided it's going to be 08/11/07.

I don't want to have altitude issues on that climb, so I may head up the weekend before. Hauling food for you could be good training for what's coming up in a few months. I haven't carried a heavy load in a lot of months and a reminder of what it's like would be a good thing. Let me know the details.