Hello,
It has been three weeks since our trip; finally, I had some time to post little rapport.
Here is a video from our trip
http://vimeo.com/15614275I have planned this trip for over a month. Both of us never really hiked, except that I did some hiking in Grand Canyon and Zion (half a day) years back. Together with my friend, we took our chances for standby/cancellation permits. (We had couple of days to spare just in case)
Few days before planned hike, I was able to get one permit for the day we want it (Sep 26), and my partner got one for the 27th. We figured we would be able to get something out of that situation....and we did.
We flew from Florida to Long beach on Saturday. Spend a night in LA and left for Lone Pine next day.
We got there late afternoon. To our surprise, we were able to switch my friend's reservation to the same day as mine without any problems.
I am not sure in which restaurant we eat, but food was not too good. Later found out that Portal Store have decent food.
My friend wanted to start the same day, and sleep in at Outpost camp, but it was late, and I did not want to walk in the dark. We decided to see how it would go. We could always go back down, and that would be our little practice hike. Final decision to stay at the Portal camp was made after my friend realized that, he forgot extra battery for camera.
Next day we left after breakfast around 7Am (by the way, Mountain house meals are pretty good, but eggs...terrible)
Our Backpacks were heavy (47 and 49lb). We made it to Trail camp around 6 PM. My friend decided to take 2-hour nap in Outpost camp:(
Next day, same drill, left for the summit around seven, and came back to the camp around 4.30.
Weather was perfect. No wind, Sunny, almost no clouds. At the camp, I would say it was around 45/32.
Regarding effects of high altitude on my body, beside fatigue, I notice dizziness at trail Crest when I stand up after tying my boots. That was all, and I guess night at the portal and Trail camps really helped as acclimatize.
We came down next day, eat nice burger in the store, took shower at the hostel, and started heading back to LA (we had plane at 9Pm)
Overall, I have to say that for me, even though we were prepared and we are in good shape, the whole hiking was a little bit harder than I expected to be. It was not easy; you have to earn every step to get to the summit, nobody will do it for you.
Whole trip I think, was the best one I ever took, and if I could, I would do it again today
Unfortunately, I live in Florida, which I cannot stand. I love outdoors, mountains, etc... I know, Florida is beautiful, beaches... but how much time can you spend on the beach with 90 degrees and humid.
i wish one day I could move somewhere west, where one can virtually go different place every weekend, just few hours away.
Our biggest mistake was- to much food. Since I eat a lot any way, I figured out I will eat much more on Whitney, but second and third day, I was not hungry at all. I eat some bars, nuts, and Mountain House for lunch, but that was not even close to what I was prepared for.
My equipment did great. I had Kelty Coyote 4750, Termarest from Gander mount. , and Eureka Backcountry tent.
Can't wait to do it again!
Michael
