Here's my training plan:
Hike up Mt Diablo at least once a month until my Whitney trip. (3300 elevation gain) I live nearby, so this is my 'training mountain'. It once seemed like a challenge... now a fun day hike.
One of those will be a overnight trip that includes two complete summit trips (possibly with my full weight Whitney pack-or at least the weight equivalent).
And a hike up Mt Lassen and Brokeoff Mountain for some time at elevation.
And if I can get a permit, Half Dome as a bonus. (of course with the cables going up early, I may go up as soon as two weekends from now)
Probably some shorter hikes in between those... try to do a 6 to 15 mile hike each weekend... the bay area has so many good hikes.
I'm tempted to visit Badwater in Death Valley before heading up to Whitney Portal to say I went from the lowest elevation to the highest in the lower 48. Won't be hiking from badwater to Whitney Portal... of course.
