Many discussion board members may remember my August postings describing our 2007 and 2008 hikes. The 2007 hike was the one where we got lost in the dark and forced to sleep on the trail. Total hiking time on the trail was 22 hours. Counting the 6 hours sleeping under the rock made 28 hours total time on the Mountain. We have nicknamed the area where we slept by the rock footbridge (about mile 4) as "Confusion Rock". On September 17, 2008, we remembered the above lessons, and successfully summitted and returned in 17 hours. Now I finally have time to describe our 09-09-09 hike.
On September 09, 2009, we hiked Whitney yet again to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and did it in 18 hours – 10 hours up and 8 hours back. Can’t seem to do it in less than 17 hours, even with a midnight start! However, the weather was stunning – crisp, clear and cold in the morning, no wind, mild breeze in midday, sky so blue it took your breath away. Once again we saw Pinnacle Ridge at its most beautiful - turning molten gold as the sun rose. Each time I see that sight it brings tears to my eyes, thankful that I’m alive and blessed to be on the mountain trail. The switchbacks were just as hateful as always, but fortunately free of snow and ice at the cables area. That spot just scares the bejeebers out of me – I’m short (5 feet 2 inches) and can just barely reach the cables for support. Trekking poles offer some support, but can be tricky with sleet, ice, and snow.
Unfortunately, AMS affected both of us about halfway up the switchbacks, our usual trigger point for this condition. At this point my husband David stopped hydrating due to fatigue and nausea. I kept drinking from the camelback hydration pack, but sure didn’t enjoy it. We hit Trail Crest at about 8 AM, after a very slow climb up the last half of the switchbacks. We stopped, choked down half a sandwich and spoke to a nice young man in his 30’s. He was exhausted. “This is good enough,” he said, and turned back. We caught our breath and resumed the hike, huffing and puffing like we always do the last 2.5 miles.
This is where the hike stops being a hike and becomes boulder climbing and rock hopping. Because of my short stature, I’m literally pulling myself up over boulders and shimmying down rock faces. I’m frightened of falling over the edge during this part of the hike and take extra care of where I plant my feet. Physical and mental fatigue really takes its toll on me during this stretch. David was having a better time of it, but does admit his feet take a pounding from the rocks and boulders. We finally made it to the summit around 10AM.
I had a nice break on what I call “Exhaustion Rock”, named from the 2007 hike. Some kind hikers took our photos, which I will post soon. We had planned to renew our vows at the summit, but circumstances prevented the renewal ceremony - the bride lost the groom's 20-year-old wedding band! I was wearing David's band for "safe keeping" on my right forefinger during the ascent. My hands were very cold and numb at times, even wearing gloves. We stopped to rest at miles 3.5 and 5 and I was taking off and putting on my gloves. When we hit Trail Camp, I took off my gloves and saw NO RING! I cried. David tried to comfort me with the usual male statements of "It is just a symbol. It was only a plain 10K gold band." (We were poor as church mice 20 years ago - the plain bands were all we could afford.) I tried to shake off the loss, but was still heartsick.
After about 30 minutes at the top, we started the descent. Boy, the losing and the gaining of elevation on the way back to Trail Crest sure sucks the life out of us! However, the views of the mountain ranges and lakes were life affirming – not a hint of haze, just stunning vistas of cloud and sky. David’s favorite rocks and ridge formations are along this section, greeting us like old friends. We settled in for a long, slow hike back, hoping to finish in the daylight for once. During descent I kept my eyes peeled for the ring, but without much hope. When we hit Confusion Rock, I scanned the gravel and dirt, and sighed, "Well, I guess it is really gone. I'm sorry, David." My husband looked at the ground and said, "Cecelia, the ring is right in front of your foot." There it was, gleaming in the afternoon sun. David grabbed the ring, held it out to me in his right hand, put out his left hand and said, "Quick! Say it! With this ring I thee wed!" And there the ring stayed for the rest of the trip. (It now quietly sleeps in my jewelry box.)
Our backpacks became a major issue on the descent. We recently changed to the MegaMouth backpack and used them in training hikes without a problem, including the 10 hour Mt. Baldy hike the week before. However, Mt. Baldy is not Mt. Whitney. The straps were causing blisters to my clavicles and I had to pad them with an extra pair of socks. The top of the pack pushed into the back of my neck, while the lumbar area was rubbing my back raw. I actually had bruises across my shoulders when we finished. David had similar backpack issues, but not to the extent I did (I’m a “Princess and the Pea.” David jokingly calls me a “delicate little flower.”). Needless to say, these packs are history. But it sure made the return trip more difficult.
Around Trailside Meadows, I noticed David behaving oddly and asked if AMS was still a problem. He said no, he was just very tired. He did not sleep well the night before and I could tell fatigue was hitting him hard. Past Lone Pine Lake David started to hallucinate, due to exhaustion, and dehydration. He simply would not drink! I’ve seen this before. He hits a vicious cycle of fatigue, fatigue reduces his urge to hydrate, dehydration further adds to his fatigue, etc. The hallucinations were along the lines of “Oh, what a cute little squirrel. Wait – that’s not a squirrel, it’s a branch.” He would shake his head and the illusions would disappear, only to reappear a few moments later. You could see the exhaustion written on his white face and dark circles under his eyes. All I could think about was getting him back to the Portal. That last mile always takes forever, doesn’t it? We finished the hike at 6PM, in the daylight – a first for us.
We sat and rested in the car for several minutes before driving back to the Dow Villa and a hot Jacuzzi bath. We had a late dinner at Season’s, which made for a lovely wedding anniversary celebration. When we returned to the room, I happened to pick up David’s backpack and almost staggered under the weight – it must have weighed around 25 pounds! Much too heavy for a Mt. Whitney day hike. I looked at the hydration pack’s water level and became even more alarmed. That man did the entire hike on 1 ½ liters! Dangerous and even stupid. We have spoken about this since and he agrees we need to develop some type of plan to get him to hydrate when he is fatigued. What that plan looks like has yet to be determined. I just don’t want him talking to imaginary forest creatures in the future.
Thus ends the Wedding Anniversary hike. We will be taking a break from Mt. Whitney for a few years. We want to explore other areas around Long Pine and Bishop and resume trail running in these areas, beginning next year. I’ll poke my head in on this board from time to time, just to reminisce and share. Even though David said “Never again,” I know we will again hike Mt. Whitney. Maybe for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. And I’ll make sure he wears the ring up the trail!
Last edited by Cecelia C.; 12/08/09 01:20 AM. Reason: typos
Sonny nicknamed that lake "Baby Hippo Lake" on his first backpacking trip in 1996. It's been Baby Hippo Lake to us ever since!
