The challenges of Mt. Whitney

By Tony Jin

LW contributor

Mt.Whitney is one of the most popular hiking trails in the United States. Despite its popularity, the trail is extremely tough. Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,505 feet. The trail starts at Whitney Portal, 13 miles west of Lone Pine, California. The hike is around 22 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 6,100 feet.

I decided to split up the hike by backpacking overnight instead of summiting in one day.

I ascended along the trails and passed Lone Pine Lake, Outpost Camp, Mirror Lake and Consultation Lake. I then arrived at the trail camp resting at 12,000 feet at 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 31. The camp is six miles up from Whitney Portal. I camped overnight to acclimate to the elevation and got to enjoy a beautiful night under stars.

I headed for infamous 99 switchbacks the following morning at 7 a.m. It’s a steep section to the Trail Crest at 13,600 feet and 8.5 miles above Whitney Portal. The trail is rocky and barren. It’s diffiuclt for every hiker.

Unacclimated hikers are prone to acute mountains sickness (AMS), with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. It happens when hikers don’t take the time to acclimate to the elevation change on the mountain. It was important that my climbing was slow and steady to minimize the chances ofAMS.

After a break at the Trail Crest, I ascended along the ridge another 2.5 miles more to reach the summit. The Whitney Hut came into my view, and I reached the top of Mt. Whitney at 12:26 p.m. The hut was built in 1909 for celestial observation purpose by Smithsonian Institute. It’s a rewarding sight for many hikers who summit. I signed the trail register, took photos as a precious souvenir and enjoyed the incredible view.

“Going up is option, but coming down is mandatory.”

My training progression over the couse of a year to summit Mt. Whitney is as follows:

• Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flat (5,710 feet)

• Cucamonga Peak via Ice House Saddle (8,859 feet)

• Telegraph Peak via Manker Flat & Baldy Notch (8,989 feet)

• Mt. Baden Powell (9,406 feet)

• Mt. Baldy via the Devil’s Backbone (10,064 feet)

• Mt. San Jacinto via Marion trail (10,834 feet)

• Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (South Kaibab trail to Bright Angel trail-17 miles)

LW resident Tony Jin accomplished his goal of summitting Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, after training for one year.