Gelsomina,

First, you are not being a big baby to have concerns. They are very legitmate questions to ask yourself.

Second, if you are not comfortable with your hiking partner, find a new partner. You are asking good questions to your hiking partner(s). It is better to get this all worked out before you attempt Whitney.

I hike solo frequently. And did a solo hike up Whitney last year and many of the trails listed in your training schedule. The Whitney trail always has people on it, including rangers. And most hikers on the trail are willing to lend a helping hand if needed. Most of your training hikes are on popular trails and you will find that you will see plenty of people and will have little time that you will be alone.

But, that doesn't absolve anyone from being prepared to take care of themselves. (have enough food, clothing, emergency supplies, etc) Based on your postings, it sounds like you will be prepared.

As far as needing a hiking partner to be safe, ask yourself, when you twisted your ankle, would a hiking partner made a big difference in the outcome? You didn't panic and you got yourself down the hill. A partner may have given you a little more comfort knowing you were not alone, but that depends on the hiking partner. If you were with someone that was going to be angry and make all kinds of snarky remarks due to an injury, how would that help the situation? And what would a partner been able to do for you that you didn't do yourself?

You have to decide for yourself the comfort level of going solo, but based on your postings so far, it sounds like you will be fine on your training hikes and your Whitney attempt.

Wazzu