CA

Mount Whitney

California

Elevation: 14,494'
Vertical Gain: 5,626'

Date: August 14, 2007
Time: 9:10 AM

Weather: Clear, little wind
Party: Bob, Kevin

Because we were able to camp right at Whitney Portal after the drive from Nevada and we
planned to do this hike as either a one night or two night hike, Kevin and I were able to
leisurely get organized and pack up and didn't start up the trail until about 10:00 AM. The six
mile hike up to Trail Camp was surprisingly hard despite a well maintained trail. Carrying 32
and 28 pound packs from an altitude of 8,300' to 12,000' feet made a big difference. After a
lunch at Lone Pine Lake we continued up in very nice weather and arrived at the "base camp"
about 4:30. Kevin picked out a nice site in this rocky area that had a gravel base and a stone
wall wind shield already in place. Trail Camp is a designated camping area but the sites were
scattered enough that we didn't see too many neighbors to talk to. We were guessing that the
large containers in a big net were the last remnants of the solar latrine waiting to be
helicoptered out. Indeed, from high above the next day we watched the helicopter arrive and
circle around before carrying it off. I was hoping it wasn't hovering directly over our tent. What
do you do without the latrine? You be thankful you are on the trail only one night and hope
you don't need one as Kevin made clear was his plan. Otherwise, you resort to the use of the
leave no trace policy and the WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag issued to you by the
rangers when you pick up your permit.

The night wasn't too cold but it was still hard to get up at 6:00. It was impressive looking up at
the cliffs rising over 2000' to the summit and lit up in the morning light, and wondering how the
trail snaked its way up them. We started out at 6:30 and passed many people on the way up,
some of whom started from the parking lot as early as midnight. There were great views the
whole way and we again had very good hiking weather. A lot of work goes into maintaining the
trail, which supposedly has 99 switchbacks, and as we passed a trail crew I had to wonder if
they get used to the tough work at 13'000 feet. I know several hikers we met were not feeling
very well due to the altitude. I was glad we slept at altitude which helped avoid the altitude
sickness.

It was five miles from the campsite to the summit which we reached at 9:10. The total 11 mile
ascent, including the day before, took 5.1 hours of hiking time. There were already about a
dozen people at the top, including some who arrived by the mountaineers route and others by
the John Muir Trail. After a 40 minute stay we found the descent much easier and were back at
the campsite by lunchtime so we decided to pack up the gear we left there and continue on
down to complete a 16 mile day. We enjoyed a long stop and quick, very cold swim at Lone
Pine Lake on the way.

From Whitney Portal we gave a lift to a couple of JMT hikers into Lone Pine where, after
dropping them off at a motel, we ate at the Mt Whitney Diner which they recommended. I
could've listened to more about their three weeks of living on the trail. This time the Portal
campsites initially looked full but we luckily found one I wasn't sure was a designated spot or
not. We took a lot of bear precautions which were validated when Kevin spotted one during a
stroll around that evening. We watched him wander for a while and effortlessly snag a trout out
of the little picnic area pond.

The following day we drove through Death Valley on our way back to Las Vegas to meet up
with the girls for the second phase of our vacation.