Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Whitney trail, 1 September

In a repeat of two weeks ago, I picked up a walk-in day permit for the Whitney Trail, but didn't have a clear objective in mind this day either. I ended up going to the Whitney summit and back. The clouds made for some unusual pictures here and there, and I met several interesting people along the way.

The first was Fred Beckey, one of the greatest mountaineers ever (you can look him up). Some people claim that he has more first ascents than anyone else on earth. Undoubtedly, he was heading for one of the technical routes. I encountered him two months ago also, coming back from the Swiss Arete on Mt. Sill (see picture below). Oh, did I mention that he is now 84 years old?



Next was WPS MB member Potamus. Having undergone triple bypass in December and somewhat discouraged about his climbing future, he had queried the board for people with a similar operation who had gone on to climb another day. (See Getting past the bypass) I met him on the 97 switchbacks. He was descending after his (first) successful ascent since the operation.

Finally, there was the newlywed couple I met when I was about 15 minutes from the summit. Nothing remarkable there. But these people were really newlywed, having gotten married up there about an hour earlier.

Pictures here.

It would be nice if you stayed home now and then. Like for our anniversary next weekend....

Hi Looks like Bob will be hiking around Ridgecrest next weekend, Earlene and I grouped a 60 th birthday party a 40 year anniv. end of year store party and dinner with alot of friends that was overdue, life now says it's not where you are but who your with. Thanks Shiela for sharing Bob all these years, many may not know Bobs past with SAR and the huge amount of time that took away from the family. Thanks the Portal Crew

That was a great slide show. Thanks for sharing it.

Hi Bob Hey we also saw Fred Beckey today. We were heading down the Mountaineer's route and we passed him going (slowly but steadily) up the slabs. And you were right-he and his young companion were heading up to the Fishhook arete-what a guy!! I had no idea...I am reading a Galen Rowell book right now and Fred Beckey's name comes up frequently.
We also ran into Kurt and his group camped at UBS lake-we ran into one of his clients at the High Sierra Cafe on Friday and we first met Kurt on Denali a year ago. The mountaineering world is sure small. Glad you had a great day-we took our 23 year old daughter up for the first time and she did great.
Barb

There are not many around that can on a whim, pick up a walk-in permit and summit the same day. For many, it is a once in a life time event, in my case, I've done it twice. My tip of the hat to you Bob R. for taking the time to photograph your hike - each of your photos are unique and priceless.

Yes, I know how lucky I am to live nearby.

I think, though, that others might consider a similar tactic. People usually spend a restless night at the Portal, start hiking at oh-dark-thirty, get back down around dinnertime, drive home. Instead, get a walk-in permit and delay your start by six hours or so like I do. Finish in the dark, perhaps, and spend that night at the Portal. (Probably sleep a lot better after the rigors of the day.) Then a leisurely and perhaps safer drive home the next morning. You trade a great cheeseburger dinner at the Portal store for a great pancake breakfast.

An additional advantage is that you avoid the February permit lottery hassle. (However, I realize that those coming from a long distance, for example, may want the certainty of having a permit in hand before leaving home.)

There were seven open day climb slots after I picked up mine at 8:15. This, on the Saturday morning of a Labor Day weekend. But I have never failed to get a walk-in permit, day or overnight, in all the years I have been doing this.

Bob, Thanks for sharing your experience. Seems like it was a good day.

Maybe you can clarify something about the permits. Why was a lottery needed that day if there were unused permits at the end of the day and also from what you wrote there seemed to be 7 permits left just after the lottery? Maybe it was just a lottery to determine the order of giving out permits, i.e. how much one had to wait for their turn to get a permit that day? Thanks.

Bob..I have to comment on your cute picture of your lunch:) Are the pink and white candies..good plenty?? What is it about barbecue potato chips that taste so good on hikes...I too love eating those.
The honey bear? It looks like quite a delicious lunch you had there!

Also beautiful pictures....I was looking through a book yesterday I have by Galen Rowell...High and Wild..there is a picture of Fred Beckey in 1967 on a climb in Zion...you probably have seen it. I love that picture you got of him...it looks like he is caring an older external frame pack.

Love the picture of Arc Pass with a little bit of light on the ridge still

When I walked in, there were 8 openings. These were reserved ones already released by telephone, or from a Saturday party that showed up on Friday with fewer people than their reservation was for.

The lottery in the morning is as you surmised, and it has nothing to do with the permit lottery held in February. There are people outside the door when they open, and the FS has decided to give everyone an equal chance to pick up their permit and be on their way. Some people like this (it means there is no advantage to showing up before 8:00), and some do not (they are willing to get there early if they can get their permit quicker).

On Saturday at 8:00, there were 20 parties wanting to get in. The ranger handed out 20 slips of paper: 1, 2, 3, .... What happens next is clear.

Thanks for the great pics Bob.
My dad was friends with Fred back in the 70's.
I grew up around folks like John and Kate Yeager , Alan Steck, Jerry Murphy, Jim Gadd, Tom Pagnono , all Bay locals with strong winter and summer skills. Good to see Mr Beckey climbing after all these years. I will be in the area for an attempt next week with a party of 7.
I think you and I have met also on a mutual aid SAR a few years back.
See you all on the trails.

Jonathan and Mariell Trauner

I just loved seeing Sheila's reply. So Bob, what are you doing for the anniversary?

...maybe burgers and beer at Doug's?

Do they make you wait until the actual day of the hike to get permits that were reserved but never claimed? I know you have to pick up your reserved permit or call and arrange for a late pick up by noon the day before. Shouldn't there be permits available starting at noon the day before?

Haven't decided. 47 isn't a special number. Maybe climb Mt. Whitney.

I should probably be more serious about it in 2010.

Bob R,

Happy Anniversary.My 47th birthday is Saturday and I think you're right,it really isn't a special number.Don't think I'm looking forward to the "Big 50" either.I'm going to Big Bear to try to severly injure myself on my mountain bike.Have fun whatever you decide to do.I'll try to save enough of myself for the hike up Thor the 15th.
Thor

That's not such a bad idea, but Bob undoubtedly thought of it already.

Last year, my son and I were finishing our JMT hike when I called my wife from the summit of Whitney to wish her a happy (32nd) anniversary (and to ask for a ride home). She made it to the Portal before we did. I then told her the whole thing was a ploy to set up an anniversary dinner at the best restaurant in town -- the Portal Store.

I did not try a repeat -- we had a much more conventional anniversary this year.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BOB! I would be interested to hear what you end up doing in 2010.

We made a deal. Bob is climbing Candlelight, Irvine, Mallory, and McAdie; and I am going shopping.

Hi Sheila,

Bob certainly is lucky to have such an understanding and gracious wife.

Rafael...

Bob R., I just realized something about your spur-of-the-moment hikes up Mt. Whitney. Even though you're coming from the relatively low altitude of Ridgecrest (2440') you don't get altitude sickness! I suspect it's because you go up often enough to retain your acclimatization. Maybe every other week.

Happy anniversary Bob and Sheila! I think 47 is an amazing number!