tdtz -
Glad to hear that mis-adventure didn't wreck your trip, but I mostly made that post because many use the TR's to plan their own trip. Am glad you made the point about heavy packs/steepness of the trail, as the old trail is steep, and the footing a bit rough/loose. Nearly all my trips up Whitney are dayhikes, so I'm traveling a bit lighter.
Another questionable practice I'd add to the list of things not to do include doing a big hike at elevation a day or two before THE hike, up to and including White Mountain. Unless someone's got alot of time to spend in the mountains (and very few do unless you live here and are retired/semi-retired) it's crazy to do a big "acclimatization" hike unless they have 4 or 5 rest days before Whitney. There are exceptions of course, if people are extremely fit, but sometimes even elite marathon runners without altitude experience overdo and crash before the summit.
Anyway, glad your recent trip will be added to the 'memorable' trip category.
