Aug
12

The Big One In One Day - Mt. Whitney!

Filed Under Hiking 

Saturday, August 9, 2008: Up at 2:30 and on the trail at 3:15 AM. What lies ahead is summiting Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States with an elevation of 14,505 feet.

Starting at Whitney Portal with an elevation of 8,360 feet the day would call for a 22 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 6,145 feet.

The easiest and most popular way to get up the mountain is the “Mt. Whitney Trail”. The trail itself is “easy” (in the sense that it is well traveled and there is no danger of falling or getting lost), it is a physically demanding hike to say the least. Because the Mt. Whitney Trail ascends to the highest point in the continental US, oxygen is a priceless commodity. Much of the trail — including the last several miles to the summit — are over 13,600′ in elevation where every step can be a challenge. Many who attempt to summit and return in one day simply don’t make it due to altitude sickness, dehydration, running out of daylight, adverse weather, or simply running out of gas.

Here’s a few pictures from the trip I thought you might enjoy.

Author: Gerald Romine

Comments

One Response to “The Big One In One Day - Mt. Whitney!”

  1. DesertDweller on August 12th, 2008 11:59 pm

    Nice Work

    What next, Mt Everest?

    Got Passport?

    Darrell Barker
    http://www.kickgasatthepump.com

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