Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion anyone interested in hiking Mt. Whitney this Sunday 9/28/14?

Hey guys, thanks for the concern. Although I haven't climbed Mt. Whitney before, I am an experienced hiker in very good shape and have done many other tough hikes recently.

I did San Gorgonio twice in the past few months and also have done Mt Baldy many times and Mt Wilson a couple of times. I did San Gorgonio by myself on the South Fork Trail and made it up 9.8 miles and 4600 gain to 11,500' in 3 hours 20 minutes. I also did the Vivian Creek Trail which is 9.3 miles and 5400' in elevation, although I was with a group and the time wasn't fast. I've previously hiked Mt. Baldy with a friend which is 4.6 miles and 4000' gain to 10,000' (very steep) in 1 hour 50 minutes. Based on this, I think a goal of 4-5 hours is reasonable. I wouldn't be disappointed if it took longer. If I go with other people who are not as fast, that is ok as well.

I am not too concerned with the distance or the elevation gain, but the high summit elevation and possibly poor conditions (wind, rain, snow, cold) do concern me a bit. I haven't ever been above 12k elevation before, but I feel that all the hikes at 10k and 11.5k recently should help prepare me. For all those hikes, I did not acclimate at all, driving straight from 500' elevation in Los Angeles to the mountain and hiking straight up. Heading up the day before to camp at 8k should help somewhat with that, but it is still a concern. I did have a slight headache towards the top of San Gorgonio.