Happy that I was able to summit Mt. Whitney (day hike) on 6.02.2018 and also very fortunate to be alive, here is my account:
Started from Whitney Portal at 5 am after an all night drive (Not Ideal) from San Diego. It was one of the most beautiful mornings with near perfect weather, was able to make good ground to Outpost Camp made it there between 7-7:30. Stopped there to take a 10 min break before barging ahead to get to Trail Camp. The trail just after Mirror Lake/Pond is a little obscure, but not too bad so long as you skirt the mountain.
Me and a group of hikers went off the trail for a little before finding our way back, and making Trail Camp at around 10 30 am.
I had decided that if was not going to make trail camp by 9:30 am at worst, i would abandon the summit bid. Here i was an hour later and debating the summit bid, was able to see a number of hikers either almost up the chute or glissading down. Had to take a break to eat and rest before pushing on, while resting i realized i may be experiencing altitude sickness or at least showing symptoms. Shortness of breath, a pulsing head ache and a slight lack of co-ordination. Took a couple of 'ibuprofen'(life savers up there), had a bite to eat, hydrated for the next 40 mins before deciding to push on.
It was now past 11 am when i was making my way to the chute, which is a good 20 mins hike from Trail Camp. As i got closer it hit me that i might be one of the last hikers attempting the summit bid, as it was now close to noon and there was just one person ahead who was almost up at Trail Crest. I set a turn around time of 3 pm and pushed on.
At this point the altitude had taken its toll and i was stopping to catch my breath every few steps, progress on the chute was painstakingly slow, and the thought to turn back was gaining momentum. I looked back to see 2 other hikers starting up, while several others were getting back after a successful summit bid, merrily glissading down the slides which had been in use through the day. the joy on their faces fueled me to carry on.
Made it up the chute at 1:30 pm,it had been a slushy, slow and slippery assent. I was later joined by the 2 hikers who were climbing behind me. Whitney summit is a further 2.98 miles, and it was already late afternoon. Should have turned around, but we were firmly in the grip of Summit fever. The hike from trail crest is fairly easy terrain wise and mostly manageable with just hiking shoes aside from a few sketchy spots where and ice axe/microspikes or crampons are recommended. It was 4 pm before we reached the summit, where we found another couple of hikers on their way back, spent about 15-20 mins soaking in the beauty, and for me catching my breath, regaining strength were highest priority. Realizing we have a long way back we teamed up, and decided to descend as quickly as we could. Reached the chute at 6pm also on the way we overtook the 2 hikers we had seen on the summit.I was the only one with the ice axe, thus was the first one who could attempt the glissade. The chute which looked fun and harmless when the sun was out at noon, looked life threatening as the snow had now set firm making the ride down treacherous. Normally i would not have tried to glissade down, but altitude can do funny things and my judgement was clouded to say the least.
I sat down with the ice axe in hand, so i could self arrest in case the speed was too much to handle. Before i knew, i was catapulted down, gaining momentum faster than i have ever experienced barring a free fall. I planted my ice-axe which snagged on a rock which yanked it out of my hand. Now i had no way of stopping the fall, and i remember going 'this is it, i'm f#%#ed', i was now falling/sliding at maybe 30 mph at least. I thought to turn on my chest and bury my hands and feet into the snow as firmly as i could. Fell a good 200-300 feet before slowing down and coming to a halt, half way down the slide, poised precariously in the middle of the chute.
If i moved i could fall again, my first thought was hope the guys behind me don't try the glissade as they would come straight for me. Luckily they were able to see my experience which deterred them from trying the slide.
One handed, i was able pull out my micro spikes that were in my bag, and put them on one shoe which helped me get off the slide,where i was able to put on the other one. I then crawled on my back to make way down the rest of chute. The skin on my hand forearm is ripped clean on my right fore arm and several scratches on my left arm as well, my lower back is also ripped bad from the fall and arrest. Little to give, as i could have been injured severely/fatally had i gone tumbling into the rocks.
I waited at the bottom of the chute screaming at the guys behind me to take it easy and to see if i could help/get help in some way if something went wrong, they were able to make it down safe but it took them over 2 hours to get off the chute. Was able to get some first aid at trail camp before finally getting to Whitney Portal at almost midnight. Still in shock, but at least i'm alive and well
Learnings PLEASE DON'T GLISSADE DOWN THE CHUTE, AFTER THE SUN IS OFF IT. It will kill you. Avoid a summit bid after midday, especially if your not already up the chute. Pay careful attention to signs of altitude sickness, carry a medical/first aid kit. Hope this helps someone to not make the series of stupid decisions I made. tc
