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Keep it Wild! First time Mt. Whitney June 8-11, 2011
#15597 06/25/11 08:13 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
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Keep it Wild, Leave No Trace. Love Affair with Mt. Whitney! *by Allaire Koslo
When one comes off a 14,000 foot mountain, there is an inexplicable "high" experienced. The "Whitney High" continues from our journey June 8, 9, 10,11. It was our daughter, Chloe and her Godfather Frank Toothaker and myself on the trek, and what a challenge with double the normal snowfall! To quote Frank: 'Carrying one's food and sleeping bag and making camp in a remote corner of God's fantastically beautiful wilderness was awesome! Standing on a bench mark set in 1928 atop a 10,000 foot granite knoll with breathtaking beauty all around, and the sense of real accomplishment at ascending to it cross-country through obstacles of snow, and forest and stream was amazing!' We encountered rock slides and post holing, danger, but fun too! We live for those moments. It is the other things in our life that get in the way of what is really important. It was more than I imagined. It was a fantastic trip, a life changing memory forever.
There were many funny moments as well: as a t-shirt says in Lone Pine- "Yea, though I hike up steep mountain trails with no idea what is behind the next switchback, I shall fear no evil, because at 14,497 feet there is not enough oxygen for my brain to understand fear anyway." Or another t-shirt: "Feel the sun on your cheeks, Hike Mt. Whitney naked." We had a sunny three days with added reflection from the snow, so we did indeed get a sun burn. So words to the wise: wear complete sun block on your cheeks, if possible.
I agree with what Frank says: focus on moments in the wild. Much was accomplished, much learned, including minimization, route-finding, working as a team, meeting other people. Even being alone on the trail, with others 30 feet ahead or behind, we had a sense of personal isolation yet at the same time being very close.
I felt so tiny at the foot of these giant mountains! Mother Nature gave me a bold lesson in humility and showed me how very small I am, nothing. The sheer and utter grandeur made me feel so insignificant, tiny and humble. Life, and especially this hike is one long lesson in humility. One of my Yoga students at the YMCA gave me a card before we left: Advice from a Mountain: "Reach for new heights, Rise above it all. There is beauty as far as the eye can see. Be uplifting. Build on a solid foundation. Get to the point. Enjoy the View!"
Chloe and I took a nine hour class: Survival Backpack Course at the Antelope Valley College from Lee Bergthold and felt very prepared. And yet as he advised us: the weather can change in fifteen minutes. There are always unknowns. Due to the conditions on the mountains we were very alone, not many other hikers. A few made it to the summit, eleven miles up and back with a 6,000 foot elevation gain. We got as far as we could, almost to Trail Camp at 11,000 feet. None of us had altitude sickness; it was just all the snow and time was a factor. So we shall return to summit in August!
I asked the U.S. Forest Service Ranger and painter, Dave Kirk if I could get a gold star, not for getting to the summit, but for carrying out extra "wag bags." A wag bag is the mandatory bag that one must carry out - yes, your own human waste, thus leave no trace, pack it all out. So even on the mountain as well on the roads, I am picking up trash and recyclables too! I wonder if they will let me "Adopt a Mountain?"
We have a real appreciation and affection for Doug Thompson. He owns and operates both the Whitney Portal Store located at the trail head at 8,000 feet and the Mount Whitney Hostel in downtown Lone Pine. He serves the biggest pancakes EVER, just what one needs before heading up the trail! And we loved the hospitality, indoor plumbing, nice beds and hot showers at the hostel. Thank you Doug!!! And thank you to all the people in Lone Pine: The Mount Whitney Restaurant, with their divine chocolate malts, the Alabama Hills Café, and the Merry go Round Chinese and American Restaurant!
It is safe to say that I have had a fifteen year love affair with Lake Hughes, The Rock Inn and the Lakes and Mountains community where I reside, and am privileged to have served as your Honorary Mayor for three years. I am also now in love with Lone Pine and Mount Whitney too!
Just prior to our trip, our daughter, Chloe graduated with honors from 8th grade at Sacred Heart School June 2nd. She acknowledges and is grateful to her village, or as it says in the Bible: "Chloe's people." She was the leader on the trail. So as a proud mother, life comes full circle and Chloe would like to "run for Mayor" and volunteer for her community. Please buy your raffle tickets from Chloe Koslo, a Lake Hughes native.
Stay tuned there is more to come from this Mountain Momma!
At the Visitor Center on the way home from Mt. Whitney I bought a bookmark for Chloe: Advice from a Tree: "Stand Tall and Proud! Sink Your Roots into the Earth. Be Content with Your Natural Beauty. Drink Plenty of Water. Enjoy the View!" I wish that for everyone. Happy Trails!

*(I wrote this for our local monthly newspaper: The Mountain Yodeler and share here too. We learned A LOT!. For example: we will not carry so much, i.e. 20 pound packs instead of 30 or 50 lbs.)



Re: Keep it Wild! First time Mt. Whitney June 8-11, 2011
"Mayor" Allaire #15676 06/27/11 07:53 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 660
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Thanks for the well written TR and thanks for picking up those irresponsible knuckleheads wag bags and trash. I just don't understand the mentality of those who throw trash on the trails either. But then again I can't believe those who throw their trash out their windows while driving.

Sounds like Chloe has a big future ahead in mountaineering and the much more dangerous area of politics.


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