After three failed attempts for a variety of reasons over the last two years, I finally managed to summit Mt. Whitney on Monday. It really was worth the four trips that it took me, and luckily the weather cooperated despite reports that it would be to the contrary.
We left for Trail Camp on Sunday the 13th at around 1330. We really took our time and enjoyed the hike, and didn't reach Trail Camp until about 1800. There was plenty of time and light to get camp set up and cook dinner, as well as have conversations with many of the people that were also camping up there. It was like a small village of tents up there, I was a little surprised for a Sunday night. After a MH Teriyaki Chicken bag and some coconut chucks for dessert, we hydrated and hit the sack at about 2000 to be ready for our 0500 departure the next morning.
It was the night after the full moon, and because it was so warm, we didn't use the fly on the tent. The moon was so bright it was tough to get any sleep. It was beautiful, but bright and distracting. We managed to get a few hours of sleep in though.
We hit the switchbacks at almost exactly 0500 Monday morning. We hit Trail Crest well before 0700, and continued on, hitting the summit right at 0830. The views were astounding even though the clouds were rolling in, and at about 0915 when we decided it was time to start heading down, some light snow started falling for a few minutes. But just as soon as the weather began rolling in, it rolled back out, and the hike down was cool and clear.
The only interesting thing that happened through the whole hike was when we encountered a young man and his mother coming down the switchbacks. We saw him from a couple hundred feet up laid out on a large rock with her standing over him. We knew something wasn't right, so we double timed it down to him to see what was going on. He was vomiting profusely, and didn't want to move. We got him to drink some water that we put an electrolyte packet into, and when he started to feel like he could walk, we shouldered their packs and led them down, stopping to rest after every couple of switchbacks. By the time we got to Trail Camp, he was feeling much better, laughing and joking with us. We advised them to continue down ASAP and made our way to break down our camp.
Once down, we had a burger at the Portal and hit the road. It felt good to finally reach the top, and still feels good being able to say that I've done it.
Right after the hike, my buddy Craig asked if I'd do it again, and I very quickly replied no. But four days later, I'm already planning next years trip. Go figure.
Thanks to all of you guys and gals here on the board who were encouraging and for all of the advice. I appreciate it.
Some pics:
Sunday night at Trail Camp:
Monday morning sunrise on the switchbacks:
The view from the summit:
My buddy Craig and I at the summit:
Hitting the "Easy" button at the registry:
