Summiting Mt. Whitney

Of all days, this was the one I actually slept in!
Well, at least 15 minutes past the alarm. We both felt good and were excited with the climb before us. We were on trail by 6:30. We watched hikers come down last night and we couldn't see where they came from, they just sort of appeared. Today we would see for ourselves where the trail goes....

It goes up. And, up and up and up. We were glad we started at Guitar Lake making our trip only 10 miles RT. Literally EVERYONE huffed and puffed going up. We did the entire 5 miles at a steady pace with no breaks in 5 hours. This is a hard trail and not recommended for children or those with any health issues. There is some difficult stretches, some mild rock climbing and of course, the elevation. Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,508 feet. We were among about 30 people on top today. Shortly after noon, nearly everyone began to pack up and leave. I never thought we'd make it, even though we'd planned to do it, I didn't really believe we'd make it. I'm so excited. The hike was hard, but not that bad. Not one for kids though or out of shape or inexperienced. There were a few places that I would have appreciated longer legs as we climbed up and over some large boulders. Do we recommend this hike? YES!!

On the way down we met two more thru hikers--repeaters too non-the-less. Crazy Horse and Leprechaun.  Really nice guys probably like all the others and we'll never meet them again.

Back to camp at Guitar Lake again but not in the same place. That way we can say we never camped in the same place twice! Tomorrow we will start toward the next scary place on our agenda--Forester Pass. It's the highest place on the entire PCT. After we conquer that, I'll be okay with getting off trail, permanently or otherwise. Of course, I don't want to be totally done, but if we are, then we can say we've done some pretty amazing things. It helps soothe my ego.

Our campsite tonight is better than last night as we didn't see one marmot here. Hummm, wonder why?

It's the end of another beautiful day. We are really doing well with the more relaxed pace--too bad we can't get the weight to stay on TBG.

We love hiking!
KOKO & The Bald Guy

Sunrise on the way up.

Guitar Lake, where we spent last night.

Interesting rocks along the way up.

More views from the way.

View of the other side--not the trail, only a view point. It's a LONG way down!

TBG leading the way through the only snow on the trail. You can see it's over 4 feet deep, but not impassable. The tough part was the huge boulders hidden by the snow.

The snow is really interesting with all the sun dimples.

Mt. Whitney welcoming committee.

Heart encouragement is found even here!

Sunset at Guitar Lake

The marmots were not shy and would let me get quite close.

And you think it's gross to pick up after your dog...Mt. Whitney is literally a "Leave No Trace" area, this is a people-poop-bag dispenser.

The only thing I left is my footprints.

Yes, there is a trail in this mess.It goes around the furthest ridge and then up to the top.

It looks nicer and more level than it is.

One view from the top. There were people everywhere so most of my photos have people in them.

Another view.

The Mt. Whitney shelter. It's pretty cool but not safe in thunder storms. No where is safe then and hikers are instructed to get down off the mountain immediately.

The Bald Guy leading the way out. Lovely trail isn't it?

Hikers coming up. Can you see how they are panting?

Can you see the trail? This is near the bottom. When at the bottom looking up, you can't see the trail at all.

Back "home" at Guitar Lake. The clouds cast shadows on the mountains.

TBG holds his heart. This one was at our campsite. We wanted to take it home but neither of us were willing to pack it!

I've earned the right to wear the shirt! Hoo-Rah!

Our second night at Guitar Lake was in a different place so we could say we never camped in the same place twice.