Thanks sumptimwong,
1. I got altitude sickness last year when I did Whitney in 9 hours but I made the mistake of really pushing the pace from trail crest to the summit last time whereas this go-round I maintained a steady pace and didn't push it the second half of the climb.
2. I drank 16 ounces of water right when I woke up and another 12 ounces of water right before starting so the gallon of fluid I had ended up being more than enough. I also usually do my long runs (+/- two hours) with nothing at all so I think that helped. I front loaded the fluids I had knowing that if I could feel good at the top I could get down quick enough without needing much. last year I did not do that as I was saving it thinking I would need it if things went bad. When things go bad on Whitney they don't turnaround with additional calories or water. You have to do your best to prevent it from happening in the first place.
3. I'm guessing less than 15 pounds as all I had was the gallon of fluid, a couple of GU's and chomps, a light wind breaker, gloves, beanie and waste bag.
4. My pace, both up and down, was by far the slowest on the 99 switchbacks as they just wear on you. They keep going on the way up and with all the change of direction you cannot get going on the way down. I got my second wind on the down hill from trail crest to the John Muir sign on my way to the summit. That slight decline got my turnover up again that I maintained to the summit.
You heading up soon?
