Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports First time -- John D and Barbara

Good morning, here's our story. We spent Wednesday night at the portal and got off on a wonderful Thursday morning at 4:30. Couldn't ask for better weather and had a great hike to trail camp. The weather at trail camp was just beautiful and trail conditions excellent. Up Friday morning at 3:30 for coffee and oatmeal and took to the switchbacks at 4:30. We were in great spirits; Barbara had a lingering stomach issue but didn't think it would be a problem and her knees were feeling fine. Got to trail crest and it was perfect conditions, almost no wind. Tried to have a snack but it was not setting well with Barbara but she felt good enough to continue. Still very excited about making the summit. It was a slow go along the first stretch along the backside for about the first mile to just past the second window where the trail opens up to the summit. At that point Barbara was questioning if her knees would hold up for the next mile and a half and still have enough to make it back down. After much discussion, soul searching and prayer with heartbreaking disappointment we decided to turn back. That was a good decision, almost immediately she started throwing up. We made a slow and painful return to trail crest. She took a short nap but was still feeling very badly and was sapped of energy. The decent on the switchbacks was just awful for her as she continued to throw up and had no energy what so ever. But with amazing determination she made it to trail camp. She slept well for about 12 hours and woke up fine Saturday morning. we had breakfast and headed back down at 8:00 am. The hike down was absolutely beautiful and finished off with a burger at the portal store. Don't really know what to make of Barbara's stomach problem, whether it was food poisoning or altitude. She was well hydrated the whole trip. All in all we had a very good time and are very happy with the decision to turn back. Safe and well at home, anxious for the next adventure! The Lord is so good! Thank you very much for the information it helped immensely. God Bless.

Thanks for the report John.

It sounds like it was a memorable trip, regardless of the complications. Barbara's issues were most definitely altitude issues. She could make it if she just spent a night or two before the hike at Horseshoe Meadows or some other high altitude spot.

Each person responds to the altitude differently -- she just needs more acclimatization than you. If it had been me, I might not have felt better until dropping all the way down to Whitney Portal.

So glad to hear you made it down the mountain safely. I hope you will return to Mt. Whitney again soon.

Did Barbara's knees bother her on the way down from Trail Crest?

Actually all things considered her knees held up very well on the way down the switchbacks. The real problem and concern was her stomach ailment and how much energy throwing up drained her. It took us three hours to come from trail crest to trail camp. Because of her exhaustion she was very cautious with every ledge to step down; take a few steps rest. I was just very concerned she would collapse, fall down and get hurt. She knew there was no option but to get off the mountain, there was ho help while she was up there. By the time we got to the cables we knew she was going to make it, just the pure relief that we were close! She continued to sip water the entire time although it was impossible to hold it down for long and she even went to the bathroom on the way down. Her mind was clear and balance good just completely exhausted. Thank the Lord after a good night's sleep she was back to normal and felt fine in the morning. I don't think another attempt for the summit of Mount Whitney is in her plans at the moment. However, she has no regrets and other than those few hours of feeling terrible she had a glorious experience.