MOUNT WHITNEY-highest mtn in the 48 contiguous states

Kim · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 139

WE DID IT!!! July 6th, we got up at 2am, packed up camp (camped at the backpacker's camp-only 2 other tents there-awsome!) and started hiking 2:45 am. I had something that felt like a cramp the whole way up, so we took a 1 hr 15 minute break at Trail Camp-also to filter H20, try to eat (no appetite up there), change insoles to my superfeet... (sidenote-it wasn't a cramp-I still have the pain a few days later a little bit-don't know if it was from using the poles?). The eating a little bit every hr did not work for me at all, especially that early in the morn. i tried, but gave that up. i also don't like all the sweet stuff on a hike and most of the energy foods we brought were sweet. i think it's good to stick with what u usually do on a hike for the big hike.

Hiking in the dark was very cool. We actually passed a few groups of people in the dark. Saw the sunrise, were so early we didn't have to worry about storms, and didn't have to worry about heat/sun, either. Got up top in 7 hrs (including the 1 hr 15 min break and other few short breaks to rest or for technicalities...). It was windy and chilly up there. Stayed long enough to take a few pictures, eat a sandwhich, and hiked back down. Mosied down for another 6 1/2hrs. That's when we really were able to appreciate the beauty of the area.

22 miles reaching 14,497 ft- awsome hike-we did it-now i can hike and do other things like get back to my conga playing, gardening...

Highly recommend going a couple days earlier to acclimate. I had loss of appetite and some slight nausea and my husband had tingling in the fingers, but we didn't have the drunk feeling or headache like we've had in the past on Humphrey and other acclimation hikes.

I know a bunch of you are going, so i'll be glad to answer any questions.
and, remember my husband who went just because he luvs me so, had a hard time on the training hikes, and didn't train nearly as much as me? (doesn't care for hiking like me)-he was ahead of me most of the way and ended up carrying most of the weight!!! Shows how much determination counts! Training and acclimation are so very important, though, too.

AWSOME!!! Highly recommended! ya gotta do it once!

MikeInFHAZ · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1401 Location: location location

nicely done, Kiddiehawk (and Hubby)
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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 7/11/2004, 6:32 am Post subject:

Awesome, just awesome.
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dennisbench · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 275 Location: El Mirage

Great job!!!!!!!

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"In the first place you can't see anything from a car; you've got to get out of the goddamned contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees...When traces of blood begin to mark your trail you'll see something, maybe."
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AZBrad123 · Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 196

Great Job, thanks for the post too. Looking forward to this at the end of the month!!

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Great Job Kim! I've been looking for that trip report for a few days know. Was thinking about you on the 6th. 7 Hours is exactly what we have planned on for making it up. By chance did you see anything about Mt. Muir while where up there? Congrats!
-TIM-

sidhayes · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 116

To ascend Mt. Muir, one simply makes an easy class 3+ scramble from the Whitney trail, not far from the Whitney summit. 15 minutes round trip is all it takes.

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Kim,

Glad you made your summit! Awesome...
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Shihiyea · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 1135

Congratulations! Great job! Mary Multi

paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

I knew you'd do it! Congrats!! Agree

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Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Thanks Sid, I think we are going to add it to our agenda for the trip.

AZBrad123 · Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 196

WHAT!!

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Way to go!!!!
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Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

JW · Posted: 7/11/2004, 10:35 pm Post subject:

Awesome job, Kim! Some of us were thinking about you while we were doing Humphrey's.

Re: our training discussions; what would you guys do differently? JW.