getting trapped. To get started on the first day we had to climb over
an 11,700' pass. Once over the only way out was back over that pass,
or hiking the route and climbing over two even higher passes,
Forester at 13,200 and Whitney Crest at 13,600. These obsticals gave
me pause. If we could not accomplish the first the trip would never
get off the ground. Once in we had to scale the last two to get out.
There was no other way out, unless we considered hiking out on the
west side of the Sierras and then trying to find transportation the
300 miles back around the range to our car on the east side. If
something happened to Sally's knee or she was not strong enough to
hike the route or if the weather turned sour we would be trapped.
I was relieved when we made it over the first pass. We seemed strong
and my confidence was elevated. But, at the same time we were now
committed. We had to make it over the next two passes. Our van was
parked at our planned exit point, Whitney Portal. If we turned back
we would have to hitch rides to the van.
Day one finished with successfully crossing Kearsage Pass with no
discomfort in the questionable knee. Day two the knee was fine, but
fatigue became an issue. Day three was the big ascent of Forester
Pass, and although slow, we made a strong showing. Day four was a
mellow day
with gradual ups and downs. All systems looking great. Day five
required considerable climbing and descending, and the questionable
knee was tired, but performing well. That brought us to today, the
toughest day of all, ascending Whitney crest at 13,600'. Today also
carries an added temptation-at the crest you are only 2 miles and
1200' below the summit of Mt. Whitney.
Not knowing how we would do ascending the switchbacks up the west side
of Mt. Whitney, we decided to get a very early start. I set the alarm
for 4:30. The waning gibbous moon provided ample light to cook
breakfast and pack up the tent, quilt and other gear. It was cold, but
not below freezing with a light wind blowing. Just at the time we were
packed and ready to go the sun began to add it's early morning glow.
We worked our way up the rocky trail in the faint light. We had left
trees behind 1500' lower the day before. All remaining vegetation
disappeared within the first fifteen minutes of climbing. We followed
the switchbacks up this impossibly steep rock slope winding across
talus, bedrock and slab outcrops. Three hours later we made the trail
junction to the summit of Whitney. Decision time. The weather is
perfect. It is early morning. And as Sally said, "I have climbed over
12,000' feet this week, what is another thousand." So we put together
a summit pack and left our backpacks at the trail junction along with
about 50 other people's packs and headed for the summit.
The trail is impressive. It clings to the west side of the ridge,
dynamited from solid rock in places, built up with stone work in
others. The altitude is very noticable, as Sally could only manage 15
paces afterwhich she would have to stop to catch her breath. Also, she
was extremely cautious on the terribly uneven terrain, taking care of
her knee. It took us nearly two and a half hours, but at 11:15 we were
on the summit of Mt. Whitney, 14,496 ft above sea level.
We wandered through the crowd of 30 or more, took a summit photo, had
some crackers and cheese and a Snickers and just sat on the boulders
and enjoyed the cool air, warm sun and spectacular views. Mt. Whitney
is on the very easterly edge of the Sierra range. From the top you can
look straight off it's 2000' vertical east face into Owens Valley
11,000 ft below. To the north and west lie wave after wave of mountain
ridges and peaks. To the south the mountains begin to wither as the
Sierras decrease in altitude and breadth.
It took us a little more than an hour to return to our packs. We still
had 300' feet to climb to move from west side of the Sierra crest to
the east side. Once we cleared the crest we descended 98 switchbacks,
losing 1300' to "Trail Camp", a small lake where climbers camp before
ascending Whitney.
We found a secluded spot a couple hundred yards from the other 10+
groups of campers, put up the tent, ate dinner and prepared to try to
stay awake to watch the Persied meteor shower.
Chuck
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