Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Whitney Trail Video

*
CLICK HERE to see highlights from Whitney Portal Trailhead to the Summit. (9min.33sec.)

*
(For more detailed video-clips go to page two (2) of this topic).

*

fantastic video! when did you make the trip? I went up 7/5 & there was quite a bit of snow. No snow on your video? did you go up recently?

Thanks Pete for your painstaking effort. This is exceptional.

I have to echo the above praise and say thank you Pete for a terrific video! The steady camera work and overlays are impressive!

Can't wait until I get home from work to get to enjoy your work in its entirety.

Sweet videos!Nice to relive the experience!

To help answer questions: Hikealongpete first announced his videos under a different topic, so you can read more about the videos there:

<a href=http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004161#000010>Virtual Whitney Trail</a>

His web site is here: http://www.hikealongvideo.com/

Hikealongpete,
Awesome video. Thanks for taking the time to put it all together and for sharing with everyone. Fantastic!
Adam

Pete,

I just finished the video (between phone calls at work) and I have a question/comment or two. Where was the camera mounted to keep the picture so smooth? It would have been great to see how your vitals (bp and respirations) changed at various points. I could see this being added to the very helpful elapsed time and elevation.

Once again, fantastic work and much appreciated.

Wow....I purchased the VHS version from a couple of years ago, but these look far better!

Great job!

David

Thanks for starting a new thread. I added links to it in the orientation notes.

Thank you for complimenting me for the video clips. I also thank you for all your suggestions and ideas. Quite frankly, I was a bit worried since I had to cut out some 85% from my original video. However, it turned out surprisingly well and we should be able to fill-in the missing areas from our memories. Those planning to hike may get an idea about the trail, have some of their questions answered and see what great scenery awaits them.

To answer some of your questions:
Video taping was done towards the end of October 2003. It was a long hot summer and only where the cables are, have I encountered a bit of ice. One week later, snow had moved in.
I use a handheld camera, supported with straps at chest-height, looking at a tiny LCD screen and hope to walk as steady as possible without stumbling. This makes it very stressful and almost twice as demanding as a normal, relaxing hike. My vitals, I don't know, but I remember I was really looking forward to finally reach the summit, gasping for air.

Enjoy the video!

This Board has the most
consistantly interesting
people I have ever had
the privilege to encounter.

Many thanks hikealongpete!

Having grown up in S. Cal and now living up in Oregon, this is yet another reminder of why I travel down to the sierra every summer for a backpack. I love these mountains!

Coming down to Ansel Adams wilderness in 10 short days - yahoo!

Awesome Pete! Can you do the descent next so I'll know what it looks like coming down? (Just kidding).

These are absolutely beautiful videos!! My 9 year old said, "you better keep going to the gym so you can get to the top of that mountain. It is so beautiful!! I really think this will help us in our trek at the end of August. Knowing what is ahead will help me stay focused, especially towards the top - takes the breath right out of me:) Thank you so much

great video, what kind of camera did you use?
thanks

Superb! Just watched all 50 mins or so. I'm mailing copies to my lil brother in San Diego, who used to be afraid of hiking more than 2-3 miles, and a couple newspaper writers down there.

I've had trouble with "mood music" for hiking so I usually choose none of the above, but your choice does well. Thanks! I remember almost every step you took.

Vince

Thank you all for the comments and questions. It makes me very happy to see that the video clips are well received. I was pleasantly surprised how nice the video shows up over the internet, considering its small file size. I may also do that with the Half Dome, Grand Canyon and Zion videos. This will answer many of the first-timers' questions about the trail and to get them motivated, - and for us who were there, something to remember by.

Allen, I don't think it will be me doing a video-hike down, sounds great, but once is enough. Plus I got to do Mt. McKinley first! (Just kidding).

camikema, I really like to hear about our young people being interested in the mountains. Let us know how your trip goes at the end of August.

maxlip, I use a Canon GL1 three chip semi-pro camera, mid sized and fairly light-weight.

Vince, great that you like the video and I do hope your brother gets inspired as well.

David, you're right, the DVDs give a much better, clearer picture than the VHS and makes it feel like one could touch the rocks.

Just beautiful!

Such smooth video, too. My clips of anthing as I hike are a lot more jerky than that, though I'm using mini-dv.

I hope to get a 3-chip machine to use soon ... they've become lighter and lighter.

Great stuff!

anvanho, 3-chip is definitely the way to go. Originally, I also used a small digital (Sharp) camera, but soon switched to the 3-chip when I saw how much better the picture quality is. However, it also forced me to re-tape a lot of trails again. Luckily, for Whitney I already had my new camera and only had to do it once.

Try to make yourself (or buy) a handle-attachment for the camera, use some strap(s) and you should be able to get a much steadier picture and better control with it. Good Luck!