This year when I made my first Whitney attempt I spent one night at Whitney Portal and spent the next day hiking from Horseshoe meadows to the JMT intersection and back. The next day I hiked to Trail Camp and spent the night. It was my third day trying to make it to the top of the switchbacks where the headaches got bad and nausea sit in. I sure hated to turn around but I'm sure I did the right thing. I also did not watch my water and food intake as I should (didn't feel hungry or thirsty). On the plus side my hobby is hiking and backpacking in hilly areas. I never did get sore muscles from that Whitney attempt.
I'm hopping that eating better, drinking more water and spending another day or two longer at high altitude will acclimate me where I won't have problems at Whitney peak.
