Terance, it wasn't clear from your message what your girlfriend's motivation is for staying in Lone Pine. If it's that she doesn't want to camp for that many days, consider options for staying at elevation that don't involve camping. There are several cabin resorts between 9400 and 9800 feet on Rock Creek Road out of Tom's Place, south of Mammoth. The Little Lakes Valley, just a couple of miles away at the end of the road, is truly spectacular and offers day hikes up to 11,000 feet (Morgan Pass) and 12,000 feet (Mono Pass). My wife and I camp at the Portal the night before the hike, but spending 2-3 nights in a cabin near LLV (we stay at Rock Creek Lodge) is always part of our acclimation plan for Whitney.
