I and four other climbers embarked on this grueling day hike on Sept 22nd 2003. I climbed this mountain in the winter and spent 3 days on the mountain last year, so I knew what challenges awaited us. My colleges had never hiked Whitney and were expecting the hike to be easier than they thought. I thought they were crazy to do it in a day, but I went for the adventure and to challenge myself to such a day hike. I climbed several mountains since I climbed Whitney the first time and became quite fast at it, with every mountain I climbed faster and faster. Reminiscing the first time I climbed Whitney, I remember saying to myself I probably would not climb that mountain again; 342 days later I was at the top again as a day hike!
Logistics:
Ascent
Started at 5AM, about 1 hour of rest breaks
Summitted at 12:10PM
Left at 1:52PM
Decent
From Summit to Trail Camp - 1.5 hours
Trial Camp to Outpost Camp - 1 hour
Outpost Camp to Trailhead - 1.5 hours
In Portal Store at 6:11PM
Some Statistics: Weather was warm ~60F in the morning up to 80F in the afternoon. It was very clear and no snow or ice; everything was perfect about the hike.
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Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP > Mount Whitney > Day Hike up the Main Whitney Trail