#mt whitney

Top of Whitney

California

Mt. Whitney (2014) 

Taken during a hike with my daughters and son up Mt. Whitney shortly after being diagnosed with PD on August 14, 2014. We didn’t summit this day but got close to “trail camp” where those making the trek in two days spend the night. 

Using two days to summit and get back down is a popular option if you don’t mind hiking more than half the distance up with the weight of a back pack, sleeping bag etc. Many Hikers of Whitney do this so that they can reach the summit during the pre dawn hours the next morning to view the sunrise. Also it is less fatiguing if your break the trek up into two days.

My youngest daughter, Brigitte and I returned to Whitney almost exactly a year after being diagnosed and chose to summit and return to camp at the Portal in one day as I didn’t want to carry the extra weight...as well as the most dangerous and difficult part of the climb is done in the dark. If the altitude doesn’t kill you a fall on just about any section of the trail above trail camp (especially “99 Switchbacks”, “ the crest” or “the sisters”) to the summit and back certainly will!  We started in the dark at 1 AM and didn’t get back to the Portal till almost 9pm. Took us close to 20 hours but we got it done! 

©cpleblow (2014)

Mount Whitney hike!

Majestic Mount Whitney.