Mount Whitney belongs to Sierra Nevada Range, being located in California. It is a popular destination among the hikers because the normal route does not involve technical difficulties or orientation challenges. Anyway, the length of the trail to the top and back measures 35 km and there is a height gain of 1900 m. the mountain is made of granite, therefore the are climbing and mountaineering possibilities. There are few climbing routes to the top ranging from 5.6 up to 5.10 d, A3. To be on the trail, the rangers require a permit, which can be obtained from Lone Pine Ranger Station. Just a certain number of hikers can be each day on the mountain in order to reduce the impact over the environment. Despite the existence of a toilet on the upper part of the trail, the hiker receives, beside the permit, a “special” bag to use it in case of necessity and to keep the mountain clean.

Mount Whitney Trail, the one that I followed, starts at Whitney Portal, around 2550 m altitude. The route goes near some beautiful lakes: Lone Pine, Mirror and Consultation. After the route passes the last lake, there is a section called 99 switchbacks. There in order to prevent the soil erosion, the path has been indurate with many boulders. On the ridge, the trail intersects John Muir Trail. This one starts from Yosemite National Park and it stretches more than 200 miles. From the ridge, the scenery was awesome. On the top there is a hut made out of rocks, very useful in bad weather condition. The descent was ok and in 9 hours and a half, I was back at the Whitney Portal.

Whitney Portal is the finish line for an extreme running race that starts from Death Valley: Badwater Ultramarathon. It has 135 mile (217 km) and over 4000 m height gain. The runners have to endure 50 degrees C at shoulders' level or 80 degree C at the shoes' level.

Because I am not at this level, I will invite you to watch a movie of my ascent on Mount Whitney.

Part 1

Part 2