I had the most AWESOME experience on my first overnight hike of Mt. Whitney and the info I gleaned from this Message Board helped make that experience so positive. Your messages and information was immeasurable! Thank you.
I did Whitney for the first time two weeks ago. I had never been over 11,500 prior to that. I am so happy to report that I did not experience any altitude sickness.
In the 6 weeks prior to Whitney, I did 2 day hikes of Mt. Baldy, backpacked San Gorgonio via the Vivian Creek Trail, dayhiked Cloud's Rest from Tenaya Lake and the Yosemite Valley 4-mile Trail to Glacier Point and backdown via the Panorama Trail. I kept hydrated on my Whitney hike and always had 16oz of Cytomax handy. Cliff Shots and balance bars were also constant companions.
The night before our backpack to Trail Camp I spent at Horseshoe Meadow and then a night at Trail Camp prior to summiting. We left Trail Camp shortly after 7am, summited at 10:30am to blue skies and warm weather. Messages posted told us to summit early and miss the thunderstorms. We did!!
I will be back!! I'm looking forward to hiking the Mountaineer's Route next.
