Rain rain go away come again another day. This was my mantra on Tuesday, 8/14, as I arrived at Whitney Portal. I was told it had been raining off and on for a week. I was on the mountain last July when a major storm caught us at the summit. The trip down was an adventure that I did not want to go through again.
Wednesday morning I ordered Doug's pancakes, I didn't know I was supposed to bring several people with me to help eat them. To work off breakfast I hiked up to Lone Pine Lake. I spent the afternoon reading and preparing my pack for the morning.
Aug. 16th. my 37th anniversary I was up at 3AM and on the trail by 3:30. The weather was perfect for hiking not too hot not too cold. I passed a bear at Lone Pine Lake, seeing wildlife is one of the advantages of walking in the dark. The trail was busy with folks anxious to get to the top of the mountain and the trail maintainance crew was starting it's commute up the switchbacks. This commute is far better than sitting on the 405.
Even at trail crest there were no clouds only bright blue skies.
I reached the summit at 10:45 and took a well deserved rest. At 11:30 I was on my way down the mountain enjoying the mountain, the weather, and the people. I got back to the store at 5:15 in time to have a shower and a cold beer. If I could spend every anniversary like this I would but my wife may have something to say about that. If anyone wants to say hi, I am the one with the handlebar mustache and the smile on my face.
