Hi all,
I've been planning on, and training to hike Whitney for the last year. My permit dates are for next week, 8/16 - 8/17. Unfortunately, the two other hikers in my group dropped out this week. I've done lots of camping, but never backpacked (other than around New Zealand, in hostels). My navigation skills are nil, but I know the rest of my equipment (including my GPS), and am confident in my physical ability. I'd like to go ahead with my trip, and hike it without my original crew, but I'm wondering what others think of this. Is it folly?
My plan is to come up Sunday morning, 8/14, and spend that day and the next hiking around and sleeping at elevation to acclimate. Then I plan, on 8/16, to hike to High Camp and spend the night. I'll leave early in the morning on 8/17, summit, come back to High Camp and spend the night. I'll hike out the last day, 8/18.
Is there much danger of me getting off the trail and getting lost? I know it is well maintained, that there are park officials on the trail, and that it will be crawling with other hikers this time of year. Otherwise I wouldn't even think about it.
Any thoughts? - also, I'd be more than willing to tag along with anyone who is familiar with the trail, and is willing to let me join up with them.
Thanks for reading this!
Curtis
