Mt. Whitney

Last weekend of April, 2008.

Briefly:

I flew into Sacramento where JT picked me up and we drove to Tahoe for the evening. The next day we left for Bishop, which is about 3.5 hours south via HWY 395, to pick up the reminder of our gear. One more hour South put us in the town of Lone Pine; population 1,500, elevation 3,700 feet. The drive from Lone Pine to Whitney Portal, the start of our hike, took us West and gained an additional 4,500 feet.

Over the next two days we would hike approximately 17 hours and 7 miles (6 in the snow) round trip with 12,000 feet of total vertical. The sun was incredibly intense above 10,000 feet and the temperature varied significantly. At night it dropped into the teens and then climbed into the 50's during the day. By 9AM at Iceberg Lake (12,200) we were already hiking in soft spring snow that turned deep and slushy by noon and made for a perilous descent.  

The Mountaineers Route of Mt. Whitney is challenging physically, technically and mentally. I don't want to attempt to elaborate on the experience by describing the events with words that have different interpretations to the individual. Because after all, what are words? Words are just words that describe more words. My photos can only say so much and give the viewer an idea about a location on this pale blue dot and hopefully provide a sense of sublime elation and delight.  

Many thanks to the friends that voiced support for this trip. Thanks to those that have been there with me over the years gaining the experience  necessary  to make the Mountaineers Route an accomplishment.    

Best.

-DE