Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board THANK YOU DOUG - YOU ARE THE BEST!

I will write a trail report soon as Bulldog34 and I completed our summit of Mt Whitney on Thursday, July 15th. It was my second summit and Gary's first summit after AMS got him last year high on the switchbacks. So congrats to Gary.

This post is to thank Doug for going out of his way (actually, he's always this nice) to make Gary, Gary's wife Barb, his daughter Bri and me feel not only appreciated, but important. I cannot stress how comfortable Doug made us and how in love Gary's 10 year old daughter is with Doug. Doug not only made her feel like she was the most important person on the planet, but let her cook our pancakes (and more) and after showing her how to work the cash register, Doug let her do EVERY transaction in the last hour I was there. She could still be there for all I know. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

Thanks also go to Jack and Betsy for helping Bri figure out a way to meet her dad on the trail without a tough water crossing.

TR comes soon.

Hi Thanks for the kind words , I was about 10 years old when I started to work in a produce store in Denver , The owners Tony and Jim Dardano put trust in me to run the store many days . From that period on I have always thought let everyone reach the stars no matter how high or what light they may shine.

When we look around we are circled by great people. As we wrote in the book we are no stronger, no wiser , just that our time on the mountain is just a little longer . Thank You Doug and from "all" the Portal Crew

Yeah, what Joe said - in spades. Our experience this year at the Portal has been just incredible, and I can't thank Doug and Doug Jr. enough for the hospitality they've shown us. My wife and daughter now have the Whitney bug - my wife already plans to go up Whitney with me (and Joe) next year.

Joe, you were a great partner to overnight and summit with - thank you for joining me on this year's climb, brother. Bri is already missing "Uncle Joe".

Yesterday Bri worked the WPS register and stocked shelves with Amy for hours. I do believe she has a mission in life now! We'll be back at the Portal tonight for our last dinner there this trip, and I suspect I'll probably need to settle up with Doug on the till count from last night . . .

TR later, but for now -



Me on the summit!



Joe on the summit!



Bri and a certain cook . . .



Mooseback ride around the WPS with Laura! Maybe this is the way she gets up Whitney next year . . .

Joe, I'm so sorry I missed you on Friday. Thank you and Gary so much for the beautiful coin! I was showing it off to all my friends that night at the Store.

Congrats to you both on your trip and summit. Looks like you got in and out before the worst of the storms hit!

Gary, it was a great pleasure to meet and spend time with your family this weekend. Thanks for the ride back up to HM, and hope to see all of you back out this way soon!

Much love,
L

Same here Laura - it was just great spending time with you, and Bri wanted to send one more shoutout before we leave that "Moosetracks Rocks!" Thanks for breakfast this morning, and all the quality time this past week. We're indebted. I'm not sure which was more fulfilling - summitting, or the time spent with yourself and the other great folks in that Whitney community. Both were deeply impactful.

And Doug, Bri wanted to let you know that she plans to be back next summer to intern at the store. She recited WPS store prices during the drive today from LP to Vegas - scary. What exactly are the Cali child labor laws? Seriously though, you made quite an impression with both my wife and daughter and the result is two more Whitney converts into a very large club, which makes my life a lot easier now that they understand where I'm coming from. On the drive to Vegas today Barb put it the best that I think I've ever heard: "I found a piece of me that I didn't know I was missing." Succinct and powerful. Thank you for your hospitality at both the Portal and the Hostel this past week. An absolutely primo time was had!

Finally, Jack and Betsy - I'm sorry I missed you when you left yesterday. You two are exceptional folks, and we wish you the absolute best. Jack, congrats on Whitney summit # 90! You are a beast, man, and we'd love to be out there for # 100 next year. Betsy, summit # 50 is just around the corner and you'll have Jack shifting into overdrive to stay ahead!

Tomcat, + @ti2d, Richard P, SierraGator, Graham, High Itinerary - a pleasure and honor to finally meet all of you. Very much looking forward to next year!

.... well, you can't get a more heartfelt comment than that! Hundreds of people come to Whitney every day, but I think your wife and daughter have joined the ranks of people whose hearts have been truly touched by this experience.

Gary,I'm so happy for your summit, and that your wife and Bri have such wonderful memories that they are already looking forward to their next trip out west.

Rosie