Annette,
1) I started using Diamox this year. For me, it is not a magic bullet but does help with the altitude. If I take two pills the day before, I can go up San Gorgonio here in Southern California with little effect besides an Ibuprofen halfway up. I'm coming directly from sea level to 11,500 for this hike though.
2) I've been up Whitney twice. Both times, I felt no effect until Trail Crest. At that time, it hit me almost instantly like a sledge hammer.
3) I would be happy to help out, but there are some complications, maybe we'll meet on the trail. First, I'm planning on starting at 2 AM. That was when I started last November with snow and I did not get back until past 10 PM!!! The snow level right now looks the same like it did last time, so I'm not taking any chances by leaving later. I met a fellow poster (dolbybear) there, and I think we were two of only three people up on the summit that day. Second, you're going too fast for me. I average less than 2 mph on the trail. I cannot, and will not go any faster. My muscles are fine, my quads can handle Whitney back to back, but my cardio and head are not up to the task. Last time I powered up San Jacinto and passed everyone like they were standing still. Problem was, when I reached the summit, I got AMS so bad, my speech slurred, and I was walking like a drunk. I'm very susceptible to AMS and any pace beyond "conversation pace" will kill my head.
4) If you're doing 3.5 mph, you'll catch up to me. I have a GPS so even if we lose the trail on the way back and it's dark, we can find our way back. I have the main trail's track and waypoints already saved.
5) Again, I'll be happy to answer any questions or help, but keep in mind that I'm not an experienced mountaineer by any stretch of the imagination. I'll be staying at the Horseshoe Meadows campground to acclimate...
