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| Hiking | 23.50 Miles |
6,634 AEG |
| | Hiking | 23.50 Miles | 15 Hrs 25 Mns | | 2.10 mph |
| 6,634 ft AEG | 4 Hrs 13 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Being how Mount Whitney is the highest point in the continental US, hiking it had been on my radar screen for a while. I was able to get some permits, so 4 of us got a 1:00 AM start from the trailhead at the Whitney Portal.
It took us 4 hours to get to trail camp, and we stopped there for a break and to filter some water. We got off trail in the dark a couple of times, but we got back on course without too much trouble. By the time we finished our break, the sun was coming up, so headlamps were not needed the rest of the way.
I started slowing down a bit going up the 97 switchbacks from Trail Camp up to Trail Crest. By that time we were at about 13,700' of elevation. The section from Trail Crest to the summit was a fairly rocky, and I was slowing down both due to the terrain and the elevation -- but I persevered and made it to the summit.
There was a snow field not too far below the summit -- I did not use microspikes on the way up, but I did put my microspikes on for the descent. I would guess that the snowfield was about 100 yards long, and most people seemed not to be using any traction devices.
The weather was near perfect for the hike -- it was a sunny, cloudless day. It was a bit breezy at times, and I put on a jacket and gloves for a while....but at the summit I had on a couple of shirt layers, but no jacket or gloves.
On the way back I made a short detour to go to Lone Pine Lake.
This was probably the most strenuous dayhike that I have done, but it was definitely worthwhile to do. The views along the way and at the summit were awesome! |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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| Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there |
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