Turned 70 last year and attempted a solo hike from Cottonwood Pass TH to Whitney. 237 lbs with a 45 lb pack. Although I enjoyed the hike, it wasn't to be for Mt. Whitney. This year I got my weight down to 197 and dropped five pounds off of my pack. I made it to Crabtree Meadows in two day and was ready for the climb the next day. Felt great, until I got very sick the next morning (may have been bad tartar sauce). I believe extraction should be only for life or death so that was out. I was so week that it took 2 1/2 hrs to break camp then spend the next 3 days getting back to he trail head. Since I had most of my food and couldn't eat for the entire trek back, all that weight was hauled out. Next year I'll be 72 and already have some ideas how to make things a bet easier for the hike. Who knows, I may make it to the peak yet!!
