Hiking Mt. Whitney-What to wear/expect?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

My mother did it at age 70

That's amazing.

I think the fastest time from the portal to the top and back, 22 miles total round trip, is something like 3:23 (may be outdated).

Mt. Whitney Climber Claims Record - Los Angeles Times

[Voyageur]

Originally Posted by Charles

That's amazing.

I think the fastest time from the portal to the top and back, 22 miles total round trip, is something like 3:23 (may be outdated).

Mt. Whitney Climber Claims Record - Los Angeles Times

Wow! But the ascent in the article is of the Mountaineers Route, not the Whitney Trail, cross-country (some use trails, though) with a Class 3 section up a very steep gully (gaining over 700' elevation in less than 1/6th of mile). Nothing I'd want to rush through!

On the other hand, running the 11 miles down the trail in just over an hour sounds rather hazardous (not to mention brutal on the knees) itself.

[T. Damon]

Success!

Wow I can't imagine going up and down in 3:23- that's sick!

It rained all night while camping until 5:00 so the whole start at 3:00 AM wasn't gonna cut it (what do you wear, miner's helmets?) but got on the trail at 5:45 and made it up in 5:30- not bad for a 49 year old guy in only decent shape (started working out after a 7 year absence for a couple of months before but took a month off) - It was quite the hike, and absolutely awesome and stunning at the top. Unfortunately we got caught in a hail and sleet squall just as we were leaving the summit at 12:30 PM, for those of you that know that rather treacherous and narrow trail, imagine doing it with an an inch of hail covering much of the trail almost to the bottom of the switchbacks and basically a stream running on the entire trail down! That wasn't as fun. If I were to do it again I would be a lot better prepared with gear- but the trail running shoes and shorts actually did pretty good except through the snow.

I'm one sore puppy today, and I can now see why folks do some real training for this hike. I know this isn't Everest or anything but I'm impressed at anyone at any age who has done this. It is well worth the effort, and that constant dizziness and feeling like your heart may explode is something you just have to work through haha!

Looking down those chutes and sheer face cliffs dropping 1000's of feet a couple of feet off the trail at the top is amazing, and a bit terrifying.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Cheers

[Voyageur]

From Whitney Portal to the summit is nothing compared to Badwater Basin to the summit of Mount Whitney in mid-July!

The Badwater Ultramarathon - just finishing up this afternoon, in fact:
http://www.badwater.com/

And, of course, the official route only goes to Whitney Portal (though some runners to dontinue to the summit).

But still!