So today started at 1:00 AM. After a horrible sleep that wasn't very long, our alarms went off and we started hearing people stirring. During the night I woke up to the sound of a rock slide. Once I came to and realized what it was I was a little frightened. I couldn't tell where the sound was coming from but it was scary to hear rocks sliding down a mountain and think they could be headed towards your tent.
The morning was quiet as we broke camp in the dark. Needless to say I was exhausted. It was early and I still couldn't believe we were going to hike a mountain in the dark in order to be there by sunrise. I wanted to, don't get me wrong....but sometimes my practical side screams at me.
My nephew Jordan was NOT happy to wake up and bless his heart he was true to his word that he was not going to hike with us. I had to giggle just a bit when he told his dad (Jerel) that and Jerel told him that was fine but the tent was going with him so he'd have to sleep outside in the cold. Jordan wasn't happy but he got up and as he woke up he started to get more excited. I got more excited as I watched Chase. He was ready to hike the mountain....or maybe he just knew we were going home today. I was excited to get home but also excited to see the view from the top. When I hiked Mount Whitney as an 11 year old it was snowing at the top and you couldn't see a thing.
We put our headlamps on and began the slow descent up. It was very interesting hiking in the early morning hours. It was VERY quiet and still. The stars were beautiful and the landscape was kind of eery in the faint light of night. As we hiked up and up we began to see headlamps down below. It was kind of cool to see so many other people beginning their hike as well. I was glad we were ahead of them.
The switchbacks were gradual and long. Jordan led the group up the mountain. Once again Jordan began to voice what I was feeling as he expressed frustration at each switchback. I think he was hoping that with each switchback it would be our last. Secretly I think we all were, we just didn't have the breath at that altitude to voice it. Jordan, you know I love you and you know that I only share these things in good fun. The hike was hard but I know you had fun overall and are glad you went. I'm glad you went too because I have some great memories that I will never forget. One of my favorite funny memories that you may not remember but it makes me chuckle every time is while we were on the switchbacks early in the morning. Jordan was getting fed up with the seemingly endless switchbacks. I remember that as we came to one switchback that he was hoping didn't exist, he angrily began pawing at the side of the mountain in frustration because he just wanted to get there. I totally can relate to the feelings of helplessness of wanting to be there. It was early in the morning, cold, dark and for me personally....I couldn't breathe.
I looked up ahead and I saw what I knew was the trail crest. This is the point where the west side trail (our trail) meets with the one way trail to the top and the east side trail that would take us down to the bottom. There is an outcropping of rocks there that looked very familiar to me. I so badly wanted to give my nephew hope that we were almost there. Keep in mind though the last time I was here was 19 years ago. I knew that if I told him that was the crest and it wasn't that I would not be a very popular uncle. So I kept my mouth shut but I kept eyeing that point as we slowly trudged up the mountainside.
At last we reached the crest and it was a welcome arrival. Here we dropped our backpacks because to get to the top you hike a trail 2 miles up and then 2 miles back to this point so its pointless to carry the packs. I was very glad to set my pack down. We couldn't stay very long because it was cold and important to keep moving. We began hiking packless along the rocky trail that leads to the summit. Due to the elevation and the fatigue I wasn't moving too well at this point. My steps were slow. I moved over and let Shad, Jonathan, Paul and Chase all go by. I stayed with Jerel and Jordan. I remembered this part of the trail from when I was 11 years old and I had some scary memories in my mind. I was very worried about my nephew. The trail is very rocky and for someone with smaller legs its harder to get up and over in some places plus on one side you have a very steep drop off back down to the place we camped that night.
We slowly made our way up to the summit. Shad and Jonathan were long gone. For a while I could see Paul and Chase but then I lost site of them as well. I kept looking at the summit wondering if I really could do it. I was reminded of the hike 19 years ago when Dad, Shad and I walked on this trail towards the summit without the other members of our group because they had decided not to climb to the top. I wondered then and many times since how they could be so close to their goal and not complete it. In these moments I could very much see how. It would have been very easy for me to turn around at any moment. I just felt extremely tired and I knew this was a combination of lack of sleep but also lack of oxygen.
Pretty soon we came to a "window" and I could see down to the valley on the east side of the mountains. I could see the lights from the city of Lone Pine miles below. I could also see the first signs of the sunrise and I did not want the early hike to have been in vain.
The morning was quiet as we broke camp in the dark. Needless to say I was exhausted. It was early and I still couldn't believe we were going to hike a mountain in the dark in order to be there by sunrise. I wanted to, don't get me wrong....but sometimes my practical side screams at me.
My nephew Jordan was NOT happy to wake up and bless his heart he was true to his word that he was not going to hike with us. I had to giggle just a bit when he told his dad (Jerel) that and Jerel told him that was fine but the tent was going with him so he'd have to sleep outside in the cold. Jordan wasn't happy but he got up and as he woke up he started to get more excited. I got more excited as I watched Chase. He was ready to hike the mountain....or maybe he just knew we were going home today. I was excited to get home but also excited to see the view from the top. When I hiked Mount Whitney as an 11 year old it was snowing at the top and you couldn't see a thing.
We put our headlamps on and began the slow descent up. It was very interesting hiking in the early morning hours. It was VERY quiet and still. The stars were beautiful and the landscape was kind of eery in the faint light of night. As we hiked up and up we began to see headlamps down below. It was kind of cool to see so many other people beginning their hike as well. I was glad we were ahead of them.
The switchbacks were gradual and long. Jordan led the group up the mountain. Once again Jordan began to voice what I was feeling as he expressed frustration at each switchback. I think he was hoping that with each switchback it would be our last. Secretly I think we all were, we just didn't have the breath at that altitude to voice it. Jordan, you know I love you and you know that I only share these things in good fun. The hike was hard but I know you had fun overall and are glad you went. I'm glad you went too because I have some great memories that I will never forget. One of my favorite funny memories that you may not remember but it makes me chuckle every time is while we were on the switchbacks early in the morning. Jordan was getting fed up with the seemingly endless switchbacks. I remember that as we came to one switchback that he was hoping didn't exist, he angrily began pawing at the side of the mountain in frustration because he just wanted to get there. I totally can relate to the feelings of helplessness of wanting to be there. It was early in the morning, cold, dark and for me personally....I couldn't breathe.
I looked up ahead and I saw what I knew was the trail crest. This is the point where the west side trail (our trail) meets with the one way trail to the top and the east side trail that would take us down to the bottom. There is an outcropping of rocks there that looked very familiar to me. I so badly wanted to give my nephew hope that we were almost there. Keep in mind though the last time I was here was 19 years ago. I knew that if I told him that was the crest and it wasn't that I would not be a very popular uncle. So I kept my mouth shut but I kept eyeing that point as we slowly trudged up the mountainside.
At last we reached the crest and it was a welcome arrival. Here we dropped our backpacks because to get to the top you hike a trail 2 miles up and then 2 miles back to this point so its pointless to carry the packs. I was very glad to set my pack down. We couldn't stay very long because it was cold and important to keep moving. We began hiking packless along the rocky trail that leads to the summit. Due to the elevation and the fatigue I wasn't moving too well at this point. My steps were slow. I moved over and let Shad, Jonathan, Paul and Chase all go by. I stayed with Jerel and Jordan. I remembered this part of the trail from when I was 11 years old and I had some scary memories in my mind. I was very worried about my nephew. The trail is very rocky and for someone with smaller legs its harder to get up and over in some places plus on one side you have a very steep drop off back down to the place we camped that night.
We slowly made our way up to the summit. Shad and Jonathan were long gone. For a while I could see Paul and Chase but then I lost site of them as well. I kept looking at the summit wondering if I really could do it. I was reminded of the hike 19 years ago when Dad, Shad and I walked on this trail towards the summit without the other members of our group because they had decided not to climb to the top. I wondered then and many times since how they could be so close to their goal and not complete it. In these moments I could very much see how. It would have been very easy for me to turn around at any moment. I just felt extremely tired and I knew this was a combination of lack of sleep but also lack of oxygen.
Pretty soon we came to a "window" and I could see down to the valley on the east side of the mountains. I could see the lights from the city of Lone Pine miles below. I could also see the first signs of the sunrise and I did not want the early hike to have been in vain.
I said a prayer asking for strength, guidance and protection for myself and for the rest of my family that was hiking that morning. I looked up and thought to myself that I could do this. Pretty soon I looked up and saw my nephew Chase and he was going much slower than before and we were gaining on him. At one point I saw him sit down and place his head between his legs. I remember thinking, "I know just how you feel buddy". I just kept walking because its the only thing I could do. I caught up with Chase with Jerel and Jordan right behind me. At this point I knew if I stopped, I wouldn't make it. I kept going leaving my nephews in the care of their Dad.
The sun coming up, just below the summit of Mt. Whitney
I could see the warming hut at the top. I could see the last few switchbacks and I suddenly had renewed energy. I could see my brother and brothers in law up at the top. I remember walking the last few steps and I was so happy. I was greeted by my brother Shad and fell into his arms in one great big hug of exhaustion, elation, joy, relief, excitement and love. Shad and I did this hike together 19 years ago and here we were again on top of the world. 14, 495 feet in the air! I became emotional (I'm sure it was delirium) as I hugged my brother and was very thankful to have made it. For me, I had overcome myself and all of the doubts and fears that had crept into my mind and I had made it. I looked back to see Chase, Jerel and Jordan arriving at the top. We climbed to the very highest boulder and took pictures. The view was astounding. What an amazing place.
The sun coming up, just below the summit of Mt. Whitney
I could see the warming hut at the top. I could see the last few switchbacks and I suddenly had renewed energy. I could see my brother and brothers in law up at the top. I remember walking the last few steps and I was so happy. I was greeted by my brother Shad and fell into his arms in one great big hug of exhaustion, elation, joy, relief, excitement and love. Shad and I did this hike together 19 years ago and here we were again on top of the world. 14, 495 feet in the air! I became emotional (I'm sure it was delirium) as I hugged my brother and was very thankful to have made it. For me, I had overcome myself and all of the doubts and fears that had crept into my mind and I had made it. I looked back to see Chase, Jerel and Jordan arriving at the top. We climbed to the very highest boulder and took pictures. The view was astounding. What an amazing place.
I had made it. I had conquered Mt. Whitney once again! This picture is me on top of the world! (or at least the U.S.). It was quite the experience. We were the first hikers to summit Mt. Whitney that day. It was nice to have the summit all to ourselves as many many people hike this mountain every day.
We warmed up in the little hut at the top for a little while, (I think Shad's temperature gauge said it was 27 degrees) took some time to eat a bit and get ready for the hike back down.
As we were about to head back down, we met up with two hikers who took a group pic for us.
The hike back down to the crest was pleasant and I was full of elation and joy. It was also quite amazing to see what we'd hiked up in the dark. It looks very different by daylight. The pic below is of the trail. Can you see it?
I really enjoyed taking pics of the valley below where we had camped that night. We were so high up and it was very cool to be able to see the whole landscape. The pic below is of the lake where we camped. The big lake is Guitar lake. We camped at the smaller one just above Guitar Lake. Look how
Here are some more pics of the trail and landscape as we hiked vack to where we left our packs.
We eventually made it to our packs and put them back on and continued down the mountain. From this point on we passed a lot of people making their way up the switchbacks on the east side. This part was kind of fun and I could tell my nephews really liked it. The people were in awe that we had already been to the top. I hated it when they asked me with great hope how far to the top. You could see their spirits fall a bit when we'd tell them how long it had been since we left the top. Most couldn't believe we'd hiked so far to get to Mount Whitney and then made it to the top. They were especially impressed with my young nephews and that they had made such a trip. I know they got high 5s from lots of people and pats on the back as we made our way down.
The trip down was LONG and my feet soon began to ache with the pounding of going down and down and down. We all began to get tired as the day progressed and we had to continue hiking. At point I twisted my ankle due to rocky downhill hiking. From that point on I had to take it fairly slow so that I wouldn't further injure my ankle. Shad stayed back with me as most of the others went on ahead. Pretty soon we caught up with Chase who was just wishing we were off the mountain by this point. I remembered this day very clearly. You hiked down and down and down and felt like you were never going to get off. You can see the road below and then the parking lot but the end is still further off than you think. As an 11 year old I remember thinking I would never get there.
We got down and we all were exhausted. Our feet hurt from all the downhill pounding and we'd been awake a long time. We all collapsed at the bottom of the trail, napped and rested as we waited for our family to come pick us up.
They arrived and I was so grateful. We took a picture, loaded up and headed to town for some fast food. It was very yummy and then we drove home. We showered and then met at Rosemary's Creamery for the long awaited sundaes that we'd talked about all week long!
Before and after. How do we look?
What a trip! I love being with my brothers (in laws included) and my nephews. Good times that I will never forget. Its a great metaphor for everyday life. Alone it would have been difficult to complete this hike. We all had moments where we felt like quitting or where it seemed impossible but we had a loved one close by to keep us going by encouraging words, lending a helping hand or sometimes giving us a swift kick in the pants to keep us moving. Wouldn't all of our challenges and trials be easier if truly embraced those habits in everyday life? I can't wait until the next hike! Where will 2009 take us?
The hike back down to the crest was pleasant and I was full of elation and joy. It was also quite amazing to see what we'd hiked up in the dark. It looks very different by daylight. The pic below is of the trail. Can you see it?
I really enjoyed taking pics of the valley below where we had camped that night. We were so high up and it was very cool to be able to see the whole landscape. The pic below is of the lake where we camped. The big lake is Guitar lake. We camped at the smaller one just above Guitar Lake. Look how
We eventually made it to our packs and put them back on and continued down the mountain. From this point on we passed a lot of people making their way up the switchbacks on the east side. This part was kind of fun and I could tell my nephews really liked it. The people were in awe that we had already been to the top. I hated it when they asked me with great hope how far to the top. You could see their spirits fall a bit when we'd tell them how long it had been since we left the top. Most couldn't believe we'd hiked so far to get to Mount Whitney and then made it to the top. They were especially impressed with my young nephews and that they had made such a trip. I know they got high 5s from lots of people and pats on the back as we made our way down.
The trip down was LONG and my feet soon began to ache with the pounding of going down and down and down. We all began to get tired as the day progressed and we had to continue hiking. At point I twisted my ankle due to rocky downhill hiking. From that point on I had to take it fairly slow so that I wouldn't further injure my ankle. Shad stayed back with me as most of the others went on ahead. Pretty soon we caught up with Chase who was just wishing we were off the mountain by this point. I remembered this day very clearly. You hiked down and down and down and felt like you were never going to get off. You can see the road below and then the parking lot but the end is still further off than you think. As an 11 year old I remember thinking I would never get there.
This is Paul with his WAG bag. He was the only one who had to use one. He didn't want to put it in with his things so he had it hanging off of his backpack for all to see!
We got down and we all were exhausted. Our feet hurt from all the downhill pounding and we'd been awake a long time. We all collapsed at the bottom of the trail, napped and rested as we waited for our family to come pick us up.
They arrived and I was so grateful. We took a picture, loaded up and headed to town for some fast food. It was very yummy and then we drove home. We showered and then met at Rosemary's Creamery for the long awaited sundaes that we'd talked about all week long!
Before and after. How do we look?
What a trip! I love being with my brothers (in laws included) and my nephews. Good times that I will never forget. Its a great metaphor for everyday life. Alone it would have been difficult to complete this hike. We all had moments where we felt like quitting or where it seemed impossible but we had a loved one close by to keep us going by encouraging words, lending a helping hand or sometimes giving us a swift kick in the pants to keep us moving. Wouldn't all of our challenges and trials be easier if truly embraced those habits in everyday life? I can't wait until the next hike! Where will 2009 take us?
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