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Joined: Feb 2005
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i need advice from someone who knows about the mountain and who knows about climbing. i've been trying to get out to whitney all summer but have failed. one thing has come up after another. i don't have a permit yet but i plan on getting to the ranger station and just waiting and trying. i have from sept. 7 to sept. 11 to try to climb. here's my question. i'm not an "experienced climber" in altitudes but i have done lots of hiking and backpacking here in the midwest, i'm in physically good shape but once again haven't done climbing in the mountains, is it possible for me to do this alone? i haven't found any of my friends or relatives willing to do this....they say its crazy, but i'm determined to climb. Could you please give me some advice before i buy that plane ticket and head out there. i've done lots of reading about altitude sickness, when to come down etc. and i've read so much about the mountain on this message board i feel like i know every nook and cranny. i'm familiar with the mountain and i'm so determined, but i can't confuse determination with stupidity. could you please help me out. thank you.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,446
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buy one or more of the guidebooks, and you are set. This is not a climb, but a backpack. If you have experience backpacking, this is simply another backpack, with altitude thrown in. The guidebooks give you the organized information. This is often done solo, by people with less experience than you.
What is your name, and how old are you?
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 288
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As was mentioned, this is NOT a climb but a long, absolutely BEAUTIFUL hike.
BUT it is one that does get very high and different folks react differently to high altitude and folks react differently different times. Friends have climbed Mt Rainier (14,410 ft) many times and some have had no problems time after time and then suddenly wham!
I hiked Whitney (3rd time but first from eastside) my myself two years ago. No problem for this 56 year old (then!). The trail is pretty easy to follow (one or two places, it was pause "where does it turn" - oh, yes, there!)
If you've backpacked and take the proper gear - rain, warmth, food, gloves, etc - you will do fine. AND you take some time to get to elevation.
If you are planning it as a dayhike, well, there, it probably would be pretty intense and probably harder but folks do it regularly. I would suggest the backpack to really take more time to enjoy the scenery. Sierra are grand.
I was just down in the Sierra and thought I was feeling hikes above 10,000 feet and was somewhat hesitant to hike up White Mt (14,246 ft) east of the Sierra. White Mt (0ther than the hail and lightning!!!!!) went fine - no altitude problems but I did pace myself and did slow to nearly "one step - one breath!"
GO FOR IT.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12
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3
inmn2bho if you opt out;
you would be missing
a truly grand oppurtunity.
think of the great people
you may meet along the way.
once you get there
you will see why
people keep returning.
it is really
more like a
feeling
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 186
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My guess is you will never be truely alone, so I would not let that stop you.
Make sure you take care of your feet. I live in Oregon (grew up in CA.) and many trails are not rocky here. In the Sierra's that is not the case. Just be sure your boots can handle walking on trails with lots of 1" to 3" rocks.
Drink lots of water and get some electrolyte replacement action going early on in the hike. Wear lots of sunscreen and a good hat that will not blow off into a valley hundreds of feet below you.
If you start feeling really bad, go back downhill. Consider taking aspirin before you head down. The steady beat of going down often gives me a headache if I don't take aspirin.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. People in the west will surprise you with their generosity.
Have a great trip!
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3
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My name is Jack & I have a day permit for Sept 8, but I might try to get one for the 7th if available & my aclimization has been going well.
I have almost certainly have an extra space on my permit, so you could join me.
I would suggest that you book camping at Whitney Portal or other high camp so that you aclimate while you wait.
I will be starting at midnight and doing the whole assent in the dark. I will bring a headlamp, extra bat's & a flashlight or 2. You should do the same. It will avoid lightning.
You can contact me at cyberfool@hotmail.com. Be sure to put "whitney" in the subject line so I know that it is not spam.
Best Regards,
Jack
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 753
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If you are fit and have carried a good size pack around, you can handle the hiking part of Whitney. The things that will be different from your midwestern experience are the altitude and climbing pitch. Since you have several days, you should get out for some day hikes at higher altitudes to acclimate for a day or two prior to going up high. Some people find that Diamox or Gingko biloba help with alitude sickness as well (search for a post on the debate).
The steep slope, particularly with a heavy pack on the way down, can be helped by using hiking poles. Your legs will appreciate them.
No worries about being alone on the main trial. It is a heavily used route in the summer/early fall.
Assuming no major problems with the altitude, which you can only tell when you get there, you should do fine. Just listen to your body and turn around if you're feeling too badly. As one good climber once told me: no-one makes it to the summit without a huge amount of determination, however that same determination is what usually gets climbers in over their heads. You have to find the balance.
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