Thanks for the report, Wandering Jim. The altitude takes its toll on everybody at those elevations. I'm hoping to get over to that area in a couple of weeks myself, and I'll certainly be taking Diamox before I even get there.
How much water did you carry up to your Army Pass area camp? It had to be a long dry stretch to the top of Langley and back down.
When you do Williamson, you will most likely do it via Shepherd Pass. There is an easy trail from there directly down to the JMT, so you can then climb Whitney and exit via the Main Trail (if you get an exit permit), or exit over Cottonwood Pass or Army pass, ....or the Mountaineers Route on Whitney.
Like last year, I took Diamox for the two days before my hike.
I had originally planned to do what others here had recommended and have dinner before heading up either pass so I didn't have to carry the water for cooking my dinner, but it was still pretty early (1pm or so), so didn't want to do that. I ended up taking a full 3 liters in my camelbak and a 20 oz Gatorade bottle up from the bottom of OAP. Had a little left by the time I reached Soldier Lakes (and could have refilled earlier if needed since there are streams along Army Pass Trail on the way.
But there are some snow fields up there near Langley that you could melt if you wanted to (I didn't know about them ahead of time).
