Brent, that was great TR! My family and I enjoyed meeting you, your sister and your son on the mountain Thursday. I hated to hear that he was suffering from AMS and that you had to turn around. It wasn't too long after we came across you folks on the back side that we made the same decision. Brianne was really beginning to slow down and we didn't want her crossing that snow traverse over the chute while she was exhausted or in late-day icy conditions.
I was flabbergasted at the situation you ran across with the 8 year-old boy - how can any parent consider such a foolish, self-centered thing?! That kind of stuff just makes my blood boil.
I was also glad to hear that your plan this time seemed to keep AMS issues for yourself at bay, especially after your past history. Now you know the game plan for future Whitney trips!
Hopefully this experience won't prevent your son from seeking that summit at some time in the future. My wife had a terrible bout with AMS on Pikes Peak in '07, and was very cautious of high elevation for a couple of years afterwards. This time she did fine, between 125 mg of Diamox twice daily, sleeping in Mammoth for 5 nights, and dayhiking Mt. Dana to about 13K'.
Again, a pleasure meeting you, and we hope to see you on the mountain at some point in the future!
