I am planning on hiking Whitney at the end of July. I have been training and hiking the high peaks in southern california and feel like I am in pretty good shape.
My plan of hiking with a friend has not materialized so i am now deciding if it is wise as a single woman to try the hike alone.
Would appreciate feedback.

You'll get lots of views. Here's mine.

Hiking solo as a woman on Whitney has not concerned me. But hiking on a 14k peak has challenges and dangers that are unrelated to your gender. I think it is good to go with at least one person, and look out for each other. For example, if one of you gets an altitude-related issue, your judgment can become impaired. It is good to be with a compatible hiking partner, who you trust, to be available in such circumstances. Plus companionship is nice for its own sake.

The key is "compatible" and "trust." There are books dedicated to the single topic of climbing Whitney that have entire sections devoted to "group dynamics."

I did do my last summit solo (via the HST). But by that point, I already had 4 Whitney summits and knew a lot about both the mountain and my own history with altitude. I absolutely would not have wanted to do the first, or even second, or third, solo.

My views on your being a woman have little to do with why I don't recommend hiking Whitney alone. You'd be hard pressed to find a time during the summer to hike that trail where you'd actually be "alone."

But much like Akichow said, just having someone that hikes with you and knows you and might be able to see the signs of AMS should you encounter them can be very, very important. The first time I hiked Whitney alone, I made some very serious mistakes involving AMS and almost wound up paying a very high price. The last time I hiked Whitney, a good friend of mine wound up with signs of AMS, but wouldn't have said a word about it and kept hiking onward and upward had I not noticed some pretty obvious differences in his hiking and his general demeanor.

So it's absolutely doable. But it's much safer if you can find someone else to hike with.

A thought about psyche: If you are not used to spending time alone during your daily life, backpacking alone can really amplify the "aloneness". However, I take it from your post that you are planning your trip as a dayhike? I find that day hiking alone can be refreshing, but in unfamiliar territory, I also find it can be stressful.

I would make every effort to find a buddy, but if you do not, I would not let it stop you, either.

I am still trying to figure out how you hike Mt. Whitney alone during Whitney Prime Time...the 4th until the end of September.

You may be hiking by yourself but you will not be hiking alone. With that said, you have to be disciplined and you have to all required stuff in your pack and know how to use it.

At home...you write a detailed itinerary, Re Conn Trip Record is the best prepared form for this.

On the trail...You follow your itinerary, you do not do a side trip to Mt. Muir, if it is not on your itinerary. If you start to feel the effects of AMS you turn around. If for any reason you don't feel right about things, you turn around. All this requires discipline. I would also suggest you be below Lone Pine Lake before darkness.

I have hiked Horseshoe Meadows to Whitney Portal solo but I did not do it a alone, there were loads of people on this route every day I was out. Think of Mt. Whitney as the Ski Hut Trail at Mt. Baldy only higher and longer. There will be tons of people with you on the way up, not so much on the way down...kind of like Mt. Baldy.

Hi SRojas,

You might consider contacting LuvAdventure2014. Her partner had bailed out on her for Aug. 11th hike. Perhaps the two of you could work out an agreeable date? You could try a PM to her.

Alternativly, there might be someone else following this post looking for a hiking companion. Of course there are some considerations as to hiking with someone you do not know. How competent are they? Might you end of having to curtail your hike in deference to their needs, etc.....

Good luck,

John

SRojas,
Don't know what date you will be hiking Whitney but I'm in similar situation and will be doing the dayhike on 23rd July.

Also, echoing the thoughts above - there are about 100 people day hiking every day. Most of them will be starting at similar times from the portal - depending on their pace/fitness I'd say that most of the time you will have someone within a stone's throw. So I'm not worried about being alone but it could be a personal preference to have a friend.

I'm also planning to have my priorities right - going back home to my family safely being the first and foremost, nothing else matters.

Abhijit

All of the posts above offer great advice. In my own experience, I attempted my first Whitney summit in 2005. I was young, not in great shape, and alone. I had a great playlist, stuck to the trail, remained vigilant of my surroundings (and myself), and summited with the help of others on the trail who paced me, chatted with me, and held my hair back as I dry-heaved near the summit (AMS at its finest). Since then, I've summited alone 20+ more times. In two instances, I brought friends along and had to pull ahead of them because they were slower, less confident, or sick. I prefer hiking alone now and I've graduated to flying myself over the Sierras alone just to get myself there! I say, "go for it!"...and don't forget a good playlist.

jaxgev,
that's something I'm definitely going to do. Have a full ipod - the only thing is my choice is a bit different - i'm going to put on a high octane thriller audiobook (Michael Connelly, Lee Child, John Sandford, etc.)to keep me occupied during brutal parts of the hike.

Abhijit

Hey now! I really like that idea!

leave the playlist home and listen to the rocks

just my 2 cents

I mostly agree with this. Wilderness for me is about getting away from the noise of life. But I will also say that trudging up the switchers, it was nice to have the iPod and a little music. That section is a big mental challenge. Scenery barely changes and the switchbacks just keep going. When I did Whitney a few years ago, I had never done a day hike like that, and I don't know that I would have made it without some music to keep my feet moving.

Now that I've done some other big hikes, I know I can handle the mental challenge and wouldn't bring the music. Point being, I was glad I had tucked the nano into my pack before I left; it saved me from that section!

Whatever floats your boat.

I'll echo others In saying your gender has nothing to do with my opinion. I just summited "alone" on June 12. I don't have any hiking budies and typically do hike alone, so you could say I'm used to it. My hike up Whitney had to be the most crowded solo hike ever. I met several groups of people on the way up, but only a few on the way down once I got past the JMT junction. I just set interim goals, paid attention to the terrain, stayed focused on the hike, and had a good time visiting with the other people on the trail. Lastly, I was prepared to turn around if I didn't summit on schedule or if I felt at all sick. I told myself several times that it only counts if I make it back safe and sound and that summitting Whitney was not worth any risk to my life.

While I do frequently listen to music when I'm doing a hike in familiar territory, I don't think it is a good idea to do anything that reduces your focus when trying to summit Whitney as a day trip. The physical exertion will reduce your focus already, I see no need to add to that with another distraction. Having said that, I don't mean to be critical of someone who does listen to music, I just wouldn't recommend it to someone else. Besides, there are a lot of interesting people you will meet if you socialize and it's hard to do that while listening to your i-pod.

Just go and enjoy the views, even if you don't make it to the top.

2Old4This, your "distraction" is my motivation. That said, there is a point (around the 96th switchback) where everything gets annoying--music, food, marmots, rocks, dirt, and even the view. That's a good time to turn off the music and make some friends. Everyone has a different reason for climbing Whitney, and everyone clings to something different to get them up that mountain. My recommendation was just that, nothing more.

The Switchbacks on the Main Trail are unlike anything that I have ever undertaken during a "wilderness" experience (using the term loosely when it comes to Whitney) I likened it to some sort of high-altitude turnstyle sans the velvet ropes (guiding you this way and that way) There was the same maddening effect of being caught in a time-warp as every turn would nearly bring you face up with the same persons dogging you for the last hour. Whilst my buddies lingered at Trail Crest to compare notes with the other E-ticket holders, I reveled in being set free of the mob.

I am just scanning thru the advices to this hiker and surprised to see that there is no mention of acclimatizing ahead of the hike by spending at least one or two nights at Cottonwood Camp ground at 10000 ft and doing some day hikes in the surroundings which should alleviate all concerns of AMS. This definitely helps in my own experience.

Regarding head phones during the hike, its the same as wearing head phones on a bike ride. You miss the beauty of the surroundings, the natural sounds and the great views for which you originally planned this outing! It may be dangerous if you cant hear a rolling rock or rock fall or some one shouting at you to get out of its path! My 2c.

Everyone is different.

Wifey can go from 1,600' to 11,000' overnight with zone problems...me I fed a lot of chipmunks overnight.

The absolute worst AMS I have had was after two nights of acclimatization at 10,000'...I was lucky to get off of White Mountain. It finally cleared after an hour or two in Big Pine.

It looked to me like she was already doing that from her original post, though she doesn't specifically say it. If she isn't already hiking above 10,000 feet or at least 8,000 feet, she ought to at least try a 10,000+ foot peak a few days prior to see how she reacts and if possible spend a few days at 8,000+ feet. I've never had AMS (as far as I know) so it's hard for me to say what works and what doesn't. I did hike up Mt Dana 3 days before Whitney just to make sure elevation still had no serious affect on me, but just as a test.

well said. Everyone is different.

for people, 8,000 ft is the official "start line" of altitude illness, although aircraft manufacturers (who pressurize cabins to 8,000 ft equivalent) may be in the process of changing that to 7,000 ft.

And then there are individuals whose sensitivities to altitude vary all over the place; some less than that 7,000, others, say Tibetans, where it may be twice that. Some ( not all) of them are genetically superior, altitude -wise. Then there are species far more altitude-sensitive than humans - some cattle get brisket disease (which is more than simple AMS) when moved to just 3,000-4,000 ft. In a study of cattle moved from Wisconsin to Colorado, brisket disease was the #2 cause of death.

pretty open ended question with not much detail about your experience hiking alone or at altitude, or age for that matter.

Some things to think about when going alone:

• Are you used to hiking alone?
• have you done 15 miles or longer day hikes with moderate elevation gain(4k or more)
• how often have you been above 12k or 13k?
• the intense UVs and dry air really takes a toll on a body and most under estimate this coming from more humid environments

When I told my wife and family i was doing whitney alone they expressed some concern. Heck even I wasn't sure how I would react with that much distance and altitude gain once above 13k. But i've done enough long days 15-22 miles at altitudes between 10k-13k that i felt i knew how i would react and if it started going downhill then i'd know it and bail. I also do most of my hiking alone - on and off trail so felt pretty confident in doing whitney alone. Like others have mentioned, there will be a lot of people on the trail that time of year so it's not like hiking off trail alone in the backcountry.

good luck and have fun on your trip what ever you decide.

Thank you for everyones great advice.. For the most part I feel encouraged and whilst I would have been happy for someone to share the adventure with, I do not want to let go of a goal i set for my self because of of being afraid to do something on my own.I have been training and all the recent hikes i have done have been 15miles plus over 10000 ft.Gorgonio being 11,000 ft this weekend, so I think I will get a good idea if i start to get AMS, so far I have had not been affected on any of the hikes I have done. I am camping at Onion Valley for three days ahead of Whitney ao that should help. Whilst I feel prepared I think AMS is going to be the wild card and as some one had said, you only are succesful if you make it back safe and sound. The mountain is going anywhere right?
If anyone else has any other advice for me in order to prepare it will be happily received.

How long did it take for your entire San Gorgonio hike? I'm assuming you made it to the summit. Which trail did you take?

Will be doing Gorgonio this weekend and taking the Vivian trailhead.
I did San Bernadino last weekend, 17 miles in 7 hrs. I know Gorgonio is very steep and hard so Im thinking it will take another couple of hours.

And, coincidentally, a story regarding this in several media outlets this morning.

"At elevations above 13,000 feet (4,000 metres), the common form of the gene boosts hemoglobin and red blood cell production, causing dangerous side effects. The Tibetans' variant increases hemoglobin and red blood cell levels only modestly, sparing them these effects."

The first time I hiked Whitney was in 2011. Our last big training hike was San Berdoo and we did it in 9 hrs. It sounds like you're in good enough shape for Whitney, just a question of how to adjust to the altitude.

If you're looking for another training hike, here's a good one:

Mt Baldy, via Bear Canyon
Distance: 12.8 miles RT || Duration: ~6-8 hrs || Elevation Change: 5800' || Max Elevation: 10,064' || Difficulty: Very Strenuous


As far as hiking alone, you may look into renting a SPOT:
http://www.satellitephonesolutions.com/rental/sps-rental-program/sps-spot-rental.htm

As noted in other threads, they do have their limitations, but there are members of this board that use them whenever they hike solo.

The last time I flew to DFW via American, my altimeter was between 6,500 and 7,400'.

7 hours is a great time rt time for San G. Much faster than I would ever do it. With that said, faster you go up the greater likelyhood there might be AMS problems.

I think it could be associated with hydration. When we go fast, in a lot of cases, we do not drink enough. I make a point whenever I stop to check my reservoir and if I have not had enough to drink, I pound down electrolytes. I do not have any AMS problems in our local mountains day hiking so, all I have noticed by doing this I have eliminated after hike cramps and I recover quicker.

Here are some things I think about while hiking Whitney. When I bring first-timers with me, I make sure they're aware of these issues.

• If you've never been above 12k feet, I would recommend eating a significant portion of your food before you leave Trail Camp.
• Slow down. When training, I try to keep heart rate around 150 bpm. I can sustain this HR for a long time. On Whitney, I've found that working in the 135 bpm range is better, especially once I hit Trail Camp. Hiking faster (ascending quickly, overexertion) can also bring on AMS.
• Many of the symptoms of AMS are very similar to dehydration. You want to eliminate dehydration as a possible problem. If I don't have to make a bathroom stop every hour or so, I'm most likely not drinking enough.

One of the biggest fears of solo hiking here seems to be how various people will perform above 11,500'...the highest peak where most who climb Mt. Whitney come from. Although this is easily solved, few see value in spending a weekend at White Mountain a month prior to their trip.

By going to White, they can see what it like going from 11,635' to 14,246' on a road...if you get lost here, do not pass Whitney Portal and do not collect $200. Let's say the alien crawls out of your right eye and you puke enough to feed a family of marmots for a year, you have 4 weeks to see a doctor and get a prescription of Diamox and chances are you do ruin a year's worth of planning and training.

Sadly, many want to do Mt. Whitney on their terms, not the mountain's. Again, doing this mountain solo requires forethought, the right gear and clothing a solid plan and discipline. Without the above, your risk level goes way up.

Our office's secretary has a daughter who recently suffered from AMS (diagnosed as such)at 5000 ft, and still isn't fully recovered 2 weeks later (persistent cough anyway). Like has been said many times, everyone is different.

For me it's a focus on my pace/breathing once I'm above 12K'. Not pressure-breathing necessarily, although I will do that from time to time, but keeping a pace that has me breathing deeply and steadily, but not in a gasping, oxygen-indebted way. I also keep an eye on consciously taking deep breaths when I'm resting at elevation.

Yes, did Baldy already,I was thankful I had hiking poles!!
Thank you for the idea of the Satellite Phone,will definitely look into it.

1+

i find that the slower i go, the sooner i get there. even to the point of a whitney shuffle.

watch videos of 8000 meter climbers - they do not run up the hill, they step deliberately.

pace thyself.

He abided by the Diemburger theory which maintains that slow, no matter how slow, but constant movement is the best way to achieve progress at altitude.
Joe Tasker, Everest the Cruel Way page 84

RFM: Relentless forward motion.

Well, unless you're Ueli Steck. But then again, he's simply not human - so point well taken . . .


Eiger Speed Record

my mistake in not being a bit more accurate..

i meant seeing the climbers of 8000 meter peaks, walking uphill on the snow, roped in, nearing the summit, using O2, and each step is its own slow motion step - deliberate, in no hurry, and as HL noted, always moving forward.

No mistake at all. When I read your comment I immediately flashed to the images of Ueli flying up the Eiger snowfield and then literally running along the snowy, knife-edge ridge to the summit. Crazy, but a unique exception by a unique individual that sort of proves your point about for rest of us. Also, the Eiger's "only" 13K' - 8000 meters is a totally different story. Don't think I've ever heard of anyone running up Everest or K2. Don't think I ever will.

Yeah, it is all about pace. Find a pace you can maintain and you can go all day, if you are in good shape. However, that is hard to do for people coming to these elevations for the first time.