Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports MR Final 400 8-29-12

Wanted to get a couple of videos up. No matter what anyone says, if you are planning on attempting the MR, you won't know what you are facing until you see it. Once at the chute, nothing makes sense anymore, just rocks, scree and rocks. You need to look and make good decisions. Once at the Final 400, it makes more sense, but it's just a bit intimidating at first. The first step is a doozy! Then it gets a bit easier, but steep. Handholds, handholds, handholds.....


MR Upper Chute

MR Final 400 8-29-12

Whitney Summit 8-29-12

Damn dude! I'm impressed!

I was worried that you might get soaked up there. Hopefully you were prepared for it.

I loved one of your son's remarks at the very end of the last video: "Let's get outta here".

I guess that about sums it up:-)

The videos are the most authentic ever from a first-timer on the Mountaineers Route! They are sure fun to view!   [like]

Congrats getting your crew up and over the hump.

QS,
You are amazing! Knowing you don't like heights, you went up and conquered your fears with gusto.

Congrats on making it up & down in one piece.

And more importantly, what's next??

Wazzu

Barb, Joe's a beast and he doesn't know it - though he may be starting to figure it out. It took less than 48 hours for the, "I ain't doing this again" to morph into, "Well, maybe." He'll be doing Russell and Middle Pal before you know it.

The first time I went up Whitney with Joe he was well over 200 pounds and recovering from both cancer and a hip replacement. He has made no secret of the fact that he does not like heights. Now, after hiking for 3 years and hitting the gym regularly, he's a svelt 185 and has scooted up the MR (without any guidance, I might add). Like you said, he's conquering his fear of exposure the only way you can - exposing himself.

This is how people truly test themselves - voluntarily doing the things they viscerally fear, and overcoming them. Joe my bro, I'm damn proud of how far you've come in just 3 short years, and so are Barb and Bri. You knocked it out of the park!

Very cool. Not sure about the route, still, but the margaritas sound good!

Awesome job buddy. A lot of whining on the video. You did it though. Very impressive. I would certainly would have to be roped up to do it.

Hi Rod, long time-no see. Welcome back .Harvey

I second that.

Third!

Yea Rod, Whining, bleeding, thinking of Margaritas...... hey, if you didn't bleed, you didn't hike. Shoulda seen the last 5 miles down to the portal. You think I was bitching on the way up??? It POURED on us, sleet and cold rain with a strong wind at times starting just about a mile or less after Trail Camp. And me.... duh, forgot the ponchos! We were SOAKED!