My Adventures: July 2014

Disclaimer: This is an extremely long post that will inspire within you severe wanderlust.

Proceed at your own risk!

Yay! I successfully climbed the highest peak in the lower 48 and lived to blog the tale! With the company of my father Jeff and friend Sean I checked one more adventure off my list. Unfortunately, Sayyed developed mountain sickness and had to stay in Lone Pine, and my buddy Maygan had a work deadline and couldn't make it. Perhaps next time!

Our trip started off with beautiful views all around. I couldn't be happier to get out of the city and return to some of my favorite scenery in California along the 395.

Can you find the Trader Joe's reference?

Sayyed and Sean enjoying the drive

First view of Mount Whitney driving up the Whitney Portal Road

Dusk over the Owen's Valley

After spending the first night at 8,500ft we realized Sayyed wasn't adjusting well to the altitude so we decided to take him down the mountain and check him into a motel for the duration of the trip. Although we were all bummed, he was able to enjoy himself watching the World Cup and sunning by the pool with views of the mountains. We took this opportunity to explore the Alabama Hills along the Whitney Portal Road.

The peak of Mount Whitney visible through a granite arch. All I could think was "I can't believe we are going all the way up there!"

Sayyed riding a dike (chill out it's a geologic term)

Our campsite at the Whitney Portal Campground where we spent two nights to acclimate. We heard from the ranger that bears were common every night, which didn't help us rest much, but we didn't have any problems. Apparently one did manage to mangle a backpack someone left out on the other side of the campground.

We rose early on our second morning to start our trek up the mountain. We planned to hike the 6.3 miles to Trail Camp (12,000ft) and spend a night to acclimate for our attempt to reach the summit the next day.

The picturesc Mount Whitney trailhead

Off we go!

The famous weighing of the packs. Mine came in at 38lbs.

Dad's came in at almost 60lbs!

A peek at the peaks

View looking East to the valley with Lone Pine lake in the center

Trudging along with Mirror lake at our side

One of the many rest stops that were necessary along the trail. You could really feel the gain altitude so we stayed hydrated and took our time.

We finally made it to Trail Camp at around 2pm. Including rest stops and a 45 minute lunch break (in which I had to chase Sean back from the top of a waterfall) it took us 9 hours to get there. We were exhausted and the heat of mid day didn't help us adjust to the elevation, especially because there were no trees for shade! After a balmy nap and more hydration we all felt better and were able to enjoy the fantastic scenery of the high Sierras and do some exploring.

Our plush campsite for the next two nights. We would later learn that those rock walls don't do a damn thing to stop wind.

A view of the peaks from our campsite. Mount Whitney isn't visible from this vantage point, it disappears to the right behind a giant hump of granite. Our trail for the next morning, which included 90 something switchbacks, was barely visible from our site but it does meander above the snow fields to the left before it crests the ridge and goes behind the ominous looking jagged peaks.

Not too far from our campsite was this view of sparkling Consultation Lake. If I ever hike the Mt. Whitney trail again I will camp here to avoid all the people and the waste they leave behind.

Marmots were everywhere at our campsite and provided for endless entertainment. I dubbed this one the Marmot King due to his lofty throne overlooking his kingdom.

A baby marmot!!!!!!! Squuueeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

Sunset looking East towards the valley

Amazing

On our third morning (the first at altitude) we took our time getting ready for the grueling hike ahead. From Trail Camp there is only about a 4 mile trek to the peak, but that includes a 2,500ft elevation gain on treacherous rocky terrain. We were lucky enough to wake to a beautiful clear day with minimal wind.

View looking North from one of the endless switchbacks. The peak of Mt. Whitney is blocked by the ridge on the left.

One reason to be thankful for the lack of snow this season was the easy passage of this otherwise sketchy section of roped off trail.

Oxygen break

We only saw these flowers tucked along the switchbacks and they made it a much more of a pleasant climb with their bright colors and strong scent.

Not the best panoramic ever but it shows the trail crest junction between the John Muir Trail to the west (left) and the Mt. Whitney Trail to the east (right). The trail to the peak continues north along the west side of the ridge with endless views of Sequoia National Park and the vast peaks of the Sierras. Only 2 more miles to the summit!

Can you spot the Marmot Emperor? Best view on the mountain.

So close! The last 2 miles to the summit turned out to be more difficult for us than the infamous switchbacks, mostly due to the narrow trail and lack of oxygen. We would shuffle a few steps, catch our breath, then repeat the process. In all it took us about 4 hours to reach the summit.

We did it!

"Woooooooooooooo! Sayyed + Maygan in spirit!"

We were able to get cell phone reception at the top; which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the way you look at it.

If there is ever a time to take a selfie, hiking to 14,508ft is it.

Sean taking it all in, and trying not to pass out

The breathtaking (haha) view looking east from the very top of Mt. Whitney. Iceberg lake is in the foreground with the Alabama Hills and town of Lone Pine visible in the valley bellow. The White Mountain Range looked so gorgeous the whole trip, I can't wait to come back and explore more.

The hike back to Trail Camp

On our way down we ran into a couple guys who were contemplating taking a shortcut that involved sliding down a snow field on their backsides. We were lucky enough to be able to witness it (and be tempted to try it) while shouting directions to them so they wouldn't run into any boulders. When we finally made it back to camp a couple hours later we found them relaxing and they told us that they had cut about an hour of hiking out of their trip. I'll have to try it next time.

Dad back at camp enjoying miso while trying to shelter from the wind.

Sean trying to stay warm after being sunburned and windswept

The wonderful weather we had for the first four days of our trip inevitably gave way to classic Sierra Nevada mood swings on our last night, and we sleeplessly endured gale force winds. In the few scattered moments of silence we would hear the wind roaring over the peaks, then brace ourselves and our tents for the hammering wind that arrived seconds later. With the walls of our tents smacking us, the fine dust that coated the insides of our tents, and the roaring so loud it sounded like an earthquake, we weren't able to rest much and I arose early to capture some video of the scene. The video clip shows only a fraction of the beating our tents somehow survived, but it does give you some idea. I named my new tent Missy that night, and she is one tough mutha.

A chilly sunrise (about 5:30am)

Smiles on our last morning despite the gusts of wind (probably because we would soon be leaving). We skipped a solid breakfast so we could get the heck out of there.

Tired, cold, and accomplished

The first part of the hike down the went slowly due to the strong gusts of wind that threatened to blow us off the trail, literally. We couldn't wait to get back down to the treeline where we would be protected from the wind, and Sean was happy to thank that first tree we saw.

Dad bracing for a 90mph gust that lasted almost a minute.

Sean and I holding on for dear life with some other brave hikers doing the same.

Finally no wind!

The final weighing of the packs. We lost a few pounds each except Sean who kindly packed out our waste. I'm glad they don't have these on every trail.

At this point we had burgers and shakes on our brains and we didn't get a final group shot. I think you'll agree that I have plenty photos to preserve this amazing adventure. We encountered a wide variety of people on the mountain and it was wonderful to see so many hikers enjoying this special place. We were in awe of those attempting the peak in one day; with the elevation gain and challenging trail, they must truly be super humans to accomplish such a task. What a wonderful trip!!!!

Dates: 6/22/2014 - 6/26/2014

Location: Mount Whitney: Inyo National Forest

Trail: Mount Whitney Trail

Distance: 22 miles

Bonus Photos!

On the drive home we took the scenic route and drove through Yosemite National Park along the Tioga pass. I've visited Yosemite before (Sayyed and Sean hadn't) but I'd never seen the eastern section of the park. It was one of the most magical and gorgeous places I've ever seen, and I can not wait to explore more.