Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General The Mountain by a fair means At Last, Mt. Dana: 8-11-09

The Goatpack (hiking buddies) is on another mountain far, far away, so it was time to clean up some unfinished business. At the end of June, I attempted Mt. Dana with pal Goatie, but a howling wind, 35 degrees, and a disagreeable stomach caused me to turn back 700ft from the summit. Not so, today, as I finally bagged this mountain. (a dandy of a birthday present)

The only glitch that I had was the fact that I got a late start because it was a turn and burn trip: drive up, climb, and go home (not the best in aclimatization methods, but it worked) At 2:00pm, a nasty looking cell was starting to form up, so I had little time to spare on the summit, but that was okay, because I was starting to get a little dizzy spending time in that rare air. PS don't let the small numbers fool you; it's three miles to the Summit (13k)but its 3,000ft in three miles....



below east side of peak: Dana Plateau and tarn




Mono Lake as seen from Dana peak

Bee

Way to go, Bee! I know you've been working on that one. Happy, happy birthday!

-L

Hello Bee. I climbed to the top of Mt. Dana with a co-worker on Sunday 8/2 the same way you did. Churn and Burn! It was a tune up for my attempt at Mt. Whitney next week on 8/16. I will acclimatize at the Whitney Portal campground, and Trail Camp before making the attempt at the summit. Mt. Dana was one hell of climb though and worth the pain! Your post reminded me of that.

Hi Apex,

I, too was using Dana as look-see for Whitney; it's a great quickie check-up on your rise/run abilities because the 1000ft gain per mile is the same as the mountaineers route (but half the distance)I had a friend monitoring me on SPOT and he was shocked by how fast I came down the mountain as compared to climbing it (it would have been a whole lot faster if the snow was still there;the glissade is awesome in the wintertime!!)

Bee

Way to go Bee, What a great way to spend your birthday. I will have to add this to my list of Mountains to climb. My list is just starting so I love hearing about where everyones climbs.
Thanks for sharing and congrads.

Mouse

Thanks, Mouse! This would be a good one for you (and anyone coming up 395 to Tioga) Because it is at the southeast end of the park (just outside the Tioga Entrance Gate)It is an excellent solo adventure because the use trail (you will not see it on any "official" trail maps) is quite obvious.

B

Mouse!

I know exactly where that trail starts. I "scouted" it last weekend. Husband skunked me on the hike (But he countered w/ a scotch in the Ahwahnee) and I have a lifetime pass into the park!
when do you get back into town? when is your next free weekend?
wanna go North? I have a slow little car that can get us up there


Maybe Bee would like to join us

How about the 28th or 29th or 30th. Maybe all of them. Lets Lets Please..I so need to go somewhere..
Slow car HA. If it is slow it is driver error. I can fix that and drive it for you..

Mouse

Keep me posted; I am supposed to do Mt. Conness (as seen across Tioga from Mt. Dana) sometime this month with the Goatpack.

B

This was the first time I had sent my Bee off where she would be on her own. I must admit I was like a bear watching her cub go off on its first solo hunt. I could not see the trail up the mountain so I asked the ranger at the trailhead if I would be able to see her when she came out of the trees. He said "Yes, and don't worry, she will be fine." Once I could see her I rushed down to Tuolumne so I could connect my computer and watch her progress with the new spot I gave her for her B-day; actually it was really for me so I would not worry so much about her. Silly I know, she is one of the most capable people I know, but that is what you do when you love someone. When I saw she was headed back down I rushed back to the trailhead to meet her. I swear she must have slid down that mountain she came down so fast. I gotta say I was one really proud old frog that day!