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Patrick (Lilbitmo) and I dayhiked Mt. Whitney and several needles & pinnacles last Friday (April 27th). We went up the Main Trail and down the Mountaineers Route. Here are some photos....they are all here: http://calicokat.smugmug.com/Hiking/Sie ... &k=Qnh7nRJ

First Light On A Couple Needles We Are After


The Slope & Cable Route (Both Were Being Used Succefully)


Trail Crest Slope


Trail Crest Slope


One Of The Best Views In All The Sierra Nevada


Whitney Pass, Mt. Langley, Le Conte, Crabtree Pass From Discovery Pinnacle


Lakes Are Thawing


The Switchbacks & Trail Crest Slope From Mt. Muir


Downclimbing Mt. Muir


Make Your Knees Weak Exposure From Summit Of Keeler Needle


Coming Down Off Keeler Needle


My 21st Time On The Summit Of Mt. Whitney


Starting Down The "Final 400"


"Final 400"


Dry Conditions In "Final 400"


Heading Over To The Main MR Chute


Top Of The Chute Is Dry


Bottom Was A Mess, Icy In The Middle, Posthole Nightmare Closer To Iceberg Lake




Last Rays Of Sunshine On Thor Peak


Ice Fall Melting Fast


Our Route For The Day: 15.0 Miles, +7,600'

Very nice!

Excellent pics from some unusual perspectives. Thanks for posting them!

great pics, sure is looking dry again this year!

Very cool! What was your car to car time?

Sorry guys - I have it on good authority that you've never actually been on Whitney.

Out!

Burchey wrote:Sorry guys - I have it on good authority that you've never actually been on Whitney.

Out!

Adam, by the time we reached the last summit we were floating on Air, so technically we've never been on the Whitney Summit (P.S. I thought you fought against authority )

Deb, it was 4 AM start, 8 PM finish, 16+ hours. Part of that was due to taking our time on the way out to lead the two Marines just back from Afghanistan that we met at the summit and doing their first hike ever on the mountain they asked if they could join us for the MR back to the car. They were strong healthy guys but had very little experience, so we took our time through the rougher sections for obvious reasons. They did amazingly well.

(Special note to Calico Kat - we went up on Friday the 26th to the portal walk in campground but we did the hike on Sat the 27th, not that it matters, but if someone joins the board that we spoke to on the trail I want them not to be confused about the day they met us).

I did the MR on the previous Sat the 20th and coming down the chute above Iceberg Lake half the snow had melted in just one week, yes it's a very dry year.

Both outings were a blast - much fun was had before the lottery season begins and the cattle drive is on

Shocking lack of snow for this time of year.

man, by September Whitney may be snow free