Hi Nem,

I am still what I call a newbie, but that only means I can give you a first-timers perspective. In my experience (this will be my third year) training and acclimitization are the key. The first year I went, we had a group of 8 who trained like crazy. We did weekly trips to 1000 steps Beach (actually 231 steps) in Laguna Beach to get a good weekly climbing burn. We followed that up with monthly hikes to Mount Baldy (10,000' with a 4,000' gain in about 4 miles). We were physically well trained before we went up to the Whitney Portal. We did a practice hike to Cottonwood Lakes two days before our Whitney attempt. We slept at the Portal Campground from Friday night through our hike date of Wednesday (left the Portal at Midnight Tuesday). Sleeping at altitude is essential, I have been told.

Among out group of 8, five took Diamox. My son (19 at the time), his best friend I did not take Diamox. We rested the day of the hike and took a five hour or so nap before beginning our hike. We had perfect weather and a bright moon lit the trail. However, we had trouble almost immediately. You can read my Trip Report here.

http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/17573/8_10_Trip_report_The_Crazy_8#Post17573

3 of us did it last year under similar circumstances, and we changed it up by leaving the portal at around 10:30 p.m. with the intention of summiting at sunrise. We achieved that goal, but were pretty fatigued by the time we hit the portal again in the early afternoon. This time, nobody used Diamox and we had little to no altitude issues.


The keys for us were training, acclimitization and making sure we took in plenty of calories and water while on the trail. We rested once every hour and enjoyed the beauty and one another's company.

For me, Whitney is less of a physical challenge and more of a mental challenge. We have permits for August 22 and camp site reservations at Whitney Portal for the week. It will be both of my sons and a close friend making this trip. We are prepared to turn around at any sign of altitude sickness because two of our hikers have never attempted a hke above 10,000'.

It's about the journey and the comaraderie more than anything else. Summiting would be icing on the cake.

Last edited by socalwingnut; 06/05/13 08:28 AM. Reason: Typos