“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” - John Muir
This one is definitely not about the photos. Not at all. A few months back Mike called me and asked if I wanted to hike Mt Whitney with him. It’s been one of those goals that I’ve put on the back burner for years, partially in fear of running into the same altitude problem I had on Mt Shasta and dealing with that mental defeat. This time only mild set-backs that slowed us, but didn’t stop us. 14,496 feet in elevation. The highest peak in the contiguous United States. 22 miles and a surprisingly and dizzyingly long 19.5 hours on foot (minus several stops to really take it in, or to just lean on a rock for a minute or two to regain composure).
2:59am
A few hours in, first sign of sunlight.
Sunlight touches the rock.
Mirror Lake
Here comes the sun.
My first shadow of the day.
Mike captures me on one of our many many pee stops.
Constellation Lake
Mike filters water.
The ultimate infinity pool.
See if you can spot Mike in this photo.
Somewhere around 13,600 feet and feeling it.
Fig Newtons from sea level.
As much of a smile as I could muster up at the moment.
Exhaustion at 14,496 feet.
On top.
Had to take many pics up here.
Mike gathers his strength in prep for the second half.
It may look gross but this was the best PBJ in the world!
Accomplishment accepted and honored.
Happy to be here!
Just a few photos from the descent...
Sunset, a time we thought we’d be back at camp.
10:30pm
Morning view from camp.
Where we stood the day before.
Zooming in.
Gotta love The Portal Store’s pancake & eggs breakfast.
A dip in the snow-melt creek.
Meant for hike day but tasted just as good the day after.
Mike and Whitney
View from Lone Pine