Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion One Year Anniversary of Failure - and Lessons Learned . . .

It struck me a little while ago that on 8/18/09 - one year today - I attempted Whitney for the first time. Overconfidence due to a history of no altitude issues at 14K' and less-than-perfect planning led to AMS at 13,000 feet on that dayhike and turned me around. I can still recall how miserable I felt between the switchbacks and Outpost Camp - that was the worst I've ever felt and it took every bit of determination I could summon to get my sorry ass back to the Portal in one piece.

I learned a lot that day - and in the months that followed on the WPS, and then here after the Whitney Zone's creation. I made a lot of friends on these boards during this past year, more in number and more in sincerity and genuineness than I ever could have imagined in August of 2009. All that expertise and support and friendship went a long way in getting me to the summit of Whitney last month, feeling great and wondering what all the fuss was about! And most especially getting there with a good friend in L.A. I didn't even realize I had 12 months ago! Thank you Joe!

Sitting in my office in Atlanta thinking about all that's transpired for me in the past 365 days, and how beaten and defeated I felt on 8/18/09, I can only deliver a heartfelt "Thank You" to all the regulars of this board who helped me pick myself up and go on to achieve that goal, and made the mountain a huge part of my life for all the years to come.

With all of my failures over the years I probably have an anniversary every couple days......................DUG

Now climbing Denali...Bulldog34...his 50th highpointer!

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....

Imagine that...

BB&S by Metallica
(I like this video better than the one posted on the WPSMB...some was filmed in the SaveMart Center in Fresno.)

"You rise, you fall, you're down, then you rise again
What don't kill you make you more strong
Rise, fall down, rise again!"

Seems you got that part down pat!


Failure was not an option!


Now, there is next year...


I am looking at August 10-17, 2011! Wifey-pooh birthday on 08-15-11.


More to follow...



Have fun.

Gary, you are definitely one of those folks with a Positive Attitude who helped me overcome that disappointing day last year! Your enthusiasm is infectuous and it was a privilege finally meeting you last month. I'm just sorry you didn't get your crack at Whitney as planned. Maybe we can all coordinate next year and have a Junior Old Farts day on Mt W!

Naw, you had it in you all along...

You just needed to get it out of your system!

Gary,
It wasn't a failure.It was just delayed gratification.When I have a bad round of golf I call it a practice round. You just had a practice run and got a Whitney Mulligan.

Actually Gary, I love you giving compliments, but you're the reason I made it this time!!! I mean, can you imagine after a year of planning, you coming from Atlanta, meeting your family and then me not making the top.

I gotta tell you though. I was a bit nervous. I hadn't met you. I had written YOU for advice on what to bring. We talked "maybe" 5 times on the phone. And then I finally see you.....in this HUGE Chrysler. Your wife, Barb is really nice right from the moment I meet her, but the first thing I get from Bri is: MOOSE ROCKS!!!! :-) You looked in shape and I thought ...uh-oh....this guys gonna kick my ass up the hill. But, within 5 minutes, it really was like we knew each other for a very long time. The trip was pretty easy. There were never those uncomfortable moments. Not even at wag-bag time :-)

Okay, one uncomfortable moment: 4:30 in the friken morning at Consultation Lake. Didn't you see, it was DARK out....and I like my sleep.

Now that's a term I can relate to. I like it.

Motivation!

Its funny. I had a similar experience...although I did get to summit my first trip. When I reached Trail Crest and saw Guitar Lake I decided I want to see it up close. At that point, I had not even thought about backpacking...I was strictly a day hiker with strictly day hiking thoughts.

3 years later...I passed by Guitar Lake on my way to MBH Tarn above on my way to Smithsonian Hut. Ironically, I've never spent a night at Guitar Lake.

Bulldog,

I had a similar experience in 2006. Congrats to you and Joe for making the summit just a year later. And the best part, having a great time!

I'm finally going to attempt the summit in a single day in Sept. It wasn't that I didn't make the summit in 2006 that has bothered me for 4 years, it was my lack of preparation, and I knew better. This and the WPS have been a great source to help me better prepare this year. Thanks to everyone!