Kailash Murthi and I spent two days at Mammoth Lakes, and having obtained permits for a one-day climb for August 29th, started to climb from the Portal at 3:15 am, making it to the top at 2:15 pm on a perfect weather day. I thought the pace going up too slow, but Kailash had been developing a headache, affecting his climbing before the Trail Crest, and that slowed us down. The way down was difficult for my partner, needing too many breaks, and showing serious tiredness. Miraculously, he made it back to the Portal shortly after 11 pm. If temperatures had been colder, I feared for possible bad consequences.
Either because of my training, and/or my recent Elbrus climb, I felt strong on the way up, and had full reserves on the way down.
Three observations:
1. Whitney is a straightforward, and relatively easy climb: gradual ascent, and little difficult terrain (assume good training and proper acclimatization);
2. the building and maintenance of the trail is reflected in its great condition (my thanks and gratitude);
3. the almost total absence of trail signs and markers are a disgrace. What's up with that?
We did get an opportunity to chat with Doug Thompson at the Portal store, who shared lots of climbing lore, and very useful advice. Regarding age records: he is familiar with several over-80 summiters, he is unsure as to any that did it in one day. Surely, Doug is a most interesting person.
