Great job! My daughter, a friend and myself did our first Whitney hike 3 days earlier last week on September 24th. We hit the trail at 3AM and arrived on the summit at 1:30PM -- back to the Portal at 9PM, an 18 hour trip. We had an epic, blue sky, cloudless day with cool breezes all the way up and back. Just before the sun came up, we had donned everything in our packs and the gloves kept our hands from freezing to the trekking poles. But, coming through Trail Camp and all the way to the summit, it was short sleeves and shorts. We munched trail mix spiked with tons of M&M's all the way and used plenty of Gatorade powder in our Camelbaks, in addition to the ultimate "power lunch" at 14,496 ft. Other than the existence of a little black ice at the handrails (midway up the switchbacks), nothing approached anything other than perfect conditions.
Everyone escaped AMS, possibly because of a summer of training hikes. My daughter did her's in Lake Tahoe (Mt. Tallac and others). Those of you from SoCal---doing the Vivian Trail to the top of San Gorgonio a couple of times (at least one within 10 days of doing Whitney) and the Bear Flat Trail to the Baldy Summit were awesome training hikes. There are parts of San Gorgonio (5420' / gain to 11,500ft. and 15.6 mi. r.t.) that are tougher than Whitney - especially the long, slow slog through the 'moonscape' to the summit. By the way, Whitney is a 558ft. / mi. altitude gain. All of our training hikes were between 694/mi. and 933/mi.; all much steeper per mile than Whitney. But, Mt. Whitney is 22 miles -- longer by six miles and HIGHER than our highest training hike by 3,000ft. and that is why the Main Trail is no slouch. But, these "trainers" hit the mark for us -- for endurance, for altitude acclimatization and for the "mental game" of knowing the parameters of your own bodies' limitations vs. how far you can push yourself.
We were all pleasantly surprised that the 97 switchbacks did not live up to their "ominous" billing. They are not to be feared, but it IS a little dicey past the famous "Lightning" sign at the trail junction in the half-hour, small "boldering" segment on the final push to the summit. We met so many awesome and encouraging hikers along the way (and also at the top), that their enthusiasm became infectious and it helped propel us to our goal. It was beyond words, getting to that infamous hut (that you can see miles away from the switchbacks) and experience that panoramic view into 'forever' that you will never forget.
It was definitely one of the greatest days of our lives. The postcard beauty and changing colors of Big Horn Park, the view looking down from the top of the switchbacks into the indescribable grandeur of Wotan's Throne, Consultation Lake, Trail Camp and the mammoth "cathedral" of granite dihedrals and pinnacles (and it's deafening silence and peacefulness) were beyond words. The sunrise-induced oranges, then yellows projected onto the "needles" along with the backside panorama of the enormous Sequoia from 14,000ft., will be forever and indelibly etched into our memories.
Also, I have to commend the USFS big-time for the exhausting work that they have done, and continue to do, on this trail. The endless granite step construction, the blasting and clearing, the well-marked signs, the rock 'stacking' and their constant maintenance and monitoring, are a testament to our permit dollars at work.
Lastly, my advice to future first-timers experiencing "normal" second thoughts, trepidations or uncertainties is this: Be sure to read "How to Climb Mt. Whitney in One Day" (a big help)--print out the book's "Ascent" Time Chart (pg. 51)--prepare for any type of weather--do at least five long and high training hikes--take plenty of the right food (lots of sugar to power those muscles)--print out the "Reliable Water Sources Along the Mt. Whitney Trail" pdf (www.ridgenet.net/~rockwell/Whitney_water_trail.pdf)--and then GO FOR IT!
My daughter and I will remember this incredible day for the rest of our lives...and may never stop talking about it!
Last edited by MtnAwe; 10/01/08 12:49 AM.
