Robin and I wanted to get up Whitney in a memorable way, so we settled on the historic East Face route. Getting to the base of the route was no problem, but a few routefinding fumbles on the route itself conspired to make us take quite a bit longer than expected. We summitted shortly after sunset and, after regrouping and warming up in the hut, we began the long plod down the Whitney Trail. The day ended successfully, but far more memorably than either of us had hoped (or wanted).
We won a lottery on Friday for a Whitney permit and hauled ourselves up to Trail Camp and spent the worst night of my mountain life in a tent at 12,040'. The temperature dropped to 20*F, water in the lakes and streams froze, and we had sustained 50MPH winds with gusts over 60. The tent held - mostly, but it beat on us. It was a three season tent so dust and microscopic bits of marmot poop swirled around us all night. It blew in under the fly and there was a thick layer of the gritty mix on everything when the wind stopped after 2:00am. The next day was still clear and amazing! The view from the top was crystal clear. A very good day in the mountains!
An awesome experience, words don't justly describe it. My first real "High Sierra" experience, and first trip above 12,200 feet. Spent two days in the Yosemite high country above Lyell Canyon acclimatizing before this two-day assult on the highest point in California.
Got on-trail at 11:00am after picking up permits, wag bag, and bear canister in Lone Pine. Hiked very slowly, especially grueling section between Mirror Lake and Trail Camp, arriving just before "sunset" (sun sets early this late in the season at Trail Camp) about 5:30pm. Set up camp, made dinner, and entered tent at 8pm for totally sleepless night at 12,000 feet. Altitude (fortunately, no headaches!) and excitement combined to make sleeping nearly impossible.
Out of bed some 3-4 times to pee, decided to end the suffering and just get up at 5:00am and start the day. Quickly got dressed, down a couple NutriGrain bars, and off to the 99 switchbacks, starting at 5:30am. Sun rose while halfway up the switchbacks, reached Trail Crest about 8:30am. No real alpenglow to speak of this morning. Vast, sweeping views from Trail Crest, wind was almost unbearable. Instinct forced me to hide in small rock hovels while fumbling with digital camera. Gloves stayed on almost the whole time until coming back down 99 switchbacks.
Above 13,500 feet, it was a mind-numbing experience. I didn't think I could be so lethargic. I couldn't quite explain why that gently-rolling rock terrain between Trail Crest and Keeler Needle was so difficult, but when you've never even set foot above 12,200 feet, and suddenly you spend hours of your life there, I guess that explains it. Surprisingly, once the trail passed Keeler Needle and started the final unmitigated uphill grind around the backside of the summit, I felt much better. Maybe knowing I was getting closer and wouldn't have to go down anymore! Reached the summit at 11:30am.
Besides the cold wind, the summit was glorious. No issues with altitude, as long as I wasn't moving! Spent a good 30-45 minutes warming up in the summit hut before donning full winter gear out on the summit edge. Took requisite panoramic pictures, signed summit log, picture in front of NPS plaque. Totally clear skies, a few wispy clouds moving quickly through the windy skies.
Hike down was without much excitement. Tough-going between summit and Trail Crest again. Do not underestimate this section of trail, it can be tough, BOTH WAYS! Freezing cold and blasting wind while passing the "windows", blazing hot solar radiation otherwise. Kept taking off and putting on clothes. Once I finally came to Trail Crest and knew it would be downhill all the way, I celebrated! Hiked quickly down 99 switchbacks, almost jogging sometimes, reached Trail Camp about 4:15pm. Soaked feet in ice-cold Trail Camp lake, and packed up overnight equipment. Left Trail Camp at 4:45pm, and made good time down. Started regular jogging just below Mirror Lake, trying desperately to get back to Whitney Portal by 7:30pm for burgers at Whitney Portal Store. Reached portal miraculously at 7:20pm, and walked into WPS, only to find out the generators were down, and that the grill was not in service. Ughhh!!!!! Settled for a calzone at the Pizza Factory, and a good night's sleep at the Dow Hotel before breakfast next morning at High Sierra Cafe. Left town for the seven-hour drive Tuesday morning.
Already planning another trip next summer to bring buddies back and share the experience with them!
jef80 - Sep 17, 2006 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2005
Whitney Trail
Can't wait to try the mountaineers route.
Mark N - Sep 16, 2006 11:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2006
Main trail
Day hiked with Gareth C. (and a few hundred others). Biggest challenge was altitude/insufficient acclimatization which made for disappointingly slow progress above 13,000 ft. But a great day overall.
MakeItHappen - Sep 15, 2006 9:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2006
Just the Portal
I came, I saw, I conquered...but it whipped me nonetheless.
regolithe - Sep 15, 2006 9:06 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2005
One day ascent + the needles
GREAT HIKE! loved the altitude. Don't miss this one or the keeler needle and Day needle.
Hiked this car to car with my wife after a week in the backcountry. Great time.
reachmp - Sep 13, 2006 6:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2006
Brisk climb
Started at Whitney Portal at 2:40am, reached summit at 9:40am (7hrs). An hour at the summit and descended back to Portal in 5hrs 45min. Drove to Yosemite and did the Half Dome day hike the next day. On the drive back, I could barely bend my legs to get out of the car :)
tb00957 - Sep 12, 2006 11:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East face in a day
My very first peak was up the trail to whitney. Nice to go back to do a more interesting route.
Travis Atwood - Sep 12, 2006 3:40 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2006
Whitney Trail
What a beautiful mountain! From what I had read I was expecting a lot more trash and people, but it really wasn't bad. We set out from Trail camp under a full moon and watched the sun come up from below Trail Crest and it was one of the most spectacular things I’d ever seen.
boisedoc - Sep 11, 2006 5:20 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2002
Crowded
Climbed it via the trail from Whitney Portal in 1995 and from the west side during a backpack in 2002. Good for people watching.
Travis_ - Sep 5, 2006 3:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2006
Main Trail Summit
Started at 3:30 am, summited by 8:55 am. Great sunrise. Great hike. Want to try the mountaineers route now. Tried to summit Muir on the way back, but was tired and not comfortable doing the class 3 alone,
BLT - Sep 3, 2006 12:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2006
My first 14er, period.
Took 3 days, 2 nights and enjoyed it all. Thanks to good fortune with the weather and lots of training hikes, I had no problems.
jonhersh - Sep 1, 2006 1:59 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 1998
thedus - Sep 26, 2006 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2006
East Face Car to Car in a Loooong DayRobin and I wanted to get up Whitney in a memorable way, so we settled on the historic East Face route. Getting to the base of the route was no problem, but a few routefinding fumbles on the route itself conspired to make us take quite a bit longer than expected. We summitted shortly after sunset and, after regrouping and warming up in the hut, we began the long plod down the Whitney Trail. The day ended successfully, but far more memorably than either of us had hoped (or wanted).
Tbacon251 - Sep 25, 2006 7:43 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2006
Made it!!!After taking the standard route we finally made the summit on Sept 21nd. We started on Sept 20. Great weather!!!
cagedalpinist - Sep 20, 2006 4:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
First CA 14'erPerfect weather, classic E.Face route. Fresh air traverse very memorable. Dedicated to our friends battling breast cancer.
shawniemc - Sep 20, 2006 3:41 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2006
My first California 14er, my buddies first summited 14erWe took 3 days, started on the 27th, camped at both Outpost and Trail.
Cookie Addict - Sep 18, 2006 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
Great view!We won a lottery on Friday for a Whitney permit and hauled ourselves up to Trail Camp and spent the worst night of my mountain life in a tent at 12,040'. The temperature dropped to 20*F, water in the lakes and streams froze, and we had sustained 50MPH winds with gusts over 60. The tent held - mostly, but it beat on us. It was a three season tent so dust and microscopic bits of marmot poop swirled around us all night. It blew in under the fly and there was a thick layer of the gritty mix on everything when the wind stopped after 2:00am. The next day was still clear and amazing! The view from the top was crystal clear. A very good day in the mountains!
surgent - Sep 18, 2006 7:23 pm
First 14er for meWent up with five friends. Got severely sunburnt. First time on the big peaks. Made a lot of rookie mistakes, but had an amazing time.
cjrandall - Sep 18, 2006 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2006
Overnight at Trail CampAn awesome experience, words don't justly describe it. My first real "High Sierra" experience, and first trip above 12,200 feet. Spent two days in the Yosemite high country above Lyell Canyon acclimatizing before this two-day assult on the highest point in California.
Got on-trail at 11:00am after picking up permits, wag bag, and bear canister in Lone Pine. Hiked very slowly, especially grueling section between Mirror Lake and Trail Camp, arriving just before "sunset" (sun sets early this late in the season at Trail Camp) about 5:30pm. Set up camp, made dinner, and entered tent at 8pm for totally sleepless night at 12,000 feet. Altitude (fortunately, no headaches!) and excitement combined to make sleeping nearly impossible.
Out of bed some 3-4 times to pee, decided to end the suffering and just get up at 5:00am and start the day. Quickly got dressed, down a couple NutriGrain bars, and off to the 99 switchbacks, starting at 5:30am. Sun rose while halfway up the switchbacks, reached Trail Crest about 8:30am. No real alpenglow to speak of this morning. Vast, sweeping views from Trail Crest, wind was almost unbearable. Instinct forced me to hide in small rock hovels while fumbling with digital camera. Gloves stayed on almost the whole time until coming back down 99 switchbacks.
Above 13,500 feet, it was a mind-numbing experience. I didn't think I could be so lethargic. I couldn't quite explain why that gently-rolling rock terrain between Trail Crest and Keeler Needle was so difficult, but when you've never even set foot above 12,200 feet, and suddenly you spend hours of your life there, I guess that explains it. Surprisingly, once the trail passed Keeler Needle and started the final unmitigated uphill grind around the backside of the summit, I felt much better. Maybe knowing I was getting closer and wouldn't have to go down anymore! Reached the summit at 11:30am.
Besides the cold wind, the summit was glorious. No issues with altitude, as long as I wasn't moving! Spent a good 30-45 minutes warming up in the summit hut before donning full winter gear out on the summit edge. Took requisite panoramic pictures, signed summit log, picture in front of NPS plaque. Totally clear skies, a few wispy clouds moving quickly through the windy skies.
Hike down was without much excitement. Tough-going between summit and Trail Crest again. Do not underestimate this section of trail, it can be tough, BOTH WAYS! Freezing cold and blasting wind while passing the "windows", blazing hot solar radiation otherwise. Kept taking off and putting on clothes. Once I finally came to Trail Crest and knew it would be downhill all the way, I celebrated! Hiked quickly down 99 switchbacks, almost jogging sometimes, reached Trail Camp about 4:15pm. Soaked feet in ice-cold Trail Camp lake, and packed up overnight equipment. Left Trail Camp at 4:45pm, and made good time down. Started regular jogging just below Mirror Lake, trying desperately to get back to Whitney Portal by 7:30pm for burgers at Whitney Portal Store. Reached portal miraculously at 7:20pm, and walked into WPS, only to find out the generators were down, and that the grill was not in service. Ughhh!!!!! Settled for a calzone at the Pizza Factory, and a good night's sleep at the Dow Hotel before breakfast next morning at High Sierra Cafe. Left town for the seven-hour drive Tuesday morning.
Already planning another trip next summer to bring buddies back and share the experience with them!
jef80 - Sep 17, 2006 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2005
Whitney TrailCan't wait to try the mountaineers route.
Mark N - Sep 16, 2006 11:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2006
Main trailDay hiked with Gareth C. (and a few hundred others). Biggest challenge was altitude/insufficient acclimatization which made for disappointingly slow progress above 13,000 ft. But a great day overall.
MakeItHappen - Sep 15, 2006 9:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2006
Just the PortalI came, I saw, I conquered...but it whipped me nonetheless.
regolithe - Sep 15, 2006 9:06 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2005
One day ascent + the needlesGREAT HIKE! loved the altitude. Don't miss this one or the keeler needle and Day needle.
salad - Sep 14, 2006 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 1995
Main TriailHiked this car to car with my wife after a week in the backcountry. Great time.
reachmp - Sep 13, 2006 6:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2006
Brisk climbStarted at Whitney Portal at 2:40am, reached summit at 9:40am (7hrs). An hour at the summit and descended back to Portal in 5hrs 45min. Drove to Yosemite and did the Half Dome day hike the next day. On the drive back, I could barely bend my legs to get out of the car :)
tb00957 - Sep 12, 2006 11:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
East face in a dayMy very first peak was up the trail to whitney. Nice to go back to do a more interesting route.
Travis Atwood - Sep 12, 2006 3:40 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2006
Whitney TrailWhat a beautiful mountain! From what I had read I was expecting a lot more trash and people, but it really wasn't bad. We set out from Trail camp under a full moon and watched the sun come up from below Trail Crest and it was one of the most spectacular things I’d ever seen.
boisedoc - Sep 11, 2006 5:20 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2002
CrowdedClimbed it via the trail from Whitney Portal in 1995 and from the west side during a backpack in 2002. Good for people watching.
RSN473 - Sep 5, 2006 8:11 pm
East FaceGreat weather Great climb!
Travis_ - Sep 5, 2006 3:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2006
Main Trail SummitStarted at 3:30 am, summited by 8:55 am. Great sunrise. Great hike. Want to try the mountaineers route now. Tried to summit Muir on the way back, but was tired and not comfortable doing the class 3 alone,
BLT - Sep 3, 2006 12:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2006
My first 14er, period.Took 3 days, 2 nights and enjoyed it all. Thanks to good fortune with the weather and lots of training hikes, I had no problems.
jonhersh - Sep 1, 2006 1:59 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 1998
Whitney TrailMy first California 14er.