Day 53 - Mt. Whitney
Start: 0700 - Crabtree Meadow
End: 2000 - Crabtree Meadow
Miles (today): 17 (off - to summit Mt. Whitney)
Miles (cumulative): 807 (682.5 PCT, 89.5 alternate, 35 off)
We were just on top of the highest peak in the contiguous United States!
on top of Mount Whitney
just enjoying the view
Nick refused to step out on the ledge with me - he has a thing with heights
Maverick and Nick - we met Maverick on the way down
we saw yet another F-18 and this time I caught the plane in a picture
Going up Mt. Whitney was only a 17 mile round trip but I'm exhausted! The terrain wasn't too physically challenging - I think the steep uphill we did yesterday was much worse. Then again, that could be because our packs were significantly lighter - we only brought the food, water, and clothing we needed for the day and left everything else in the tent at the meadow. I did think the terrain was mentally challenging, though. The trail was rocky and snowy and as we neared the top of Mt. Whitney I became so hyper focused on my next step that I didn't even notice when my music playlist stopped. It wasn't scary (it was actually a lot of fun) but it was tedious.
this should give you some idea of what it was like to get to the top
on the way down I took a picture of what it looked like ahead of and behind me
Nick coming down from the top
It was so nice to hike without carrying a crazy heavy pack - I still brought my pack but only so I could carry water, food, and some clothes (layering is a must - I started out in pants, a long sleeved shirt, my puffy jacket, and my raincoat. After a few hours I was in shorts and a tank top. As we made our way to the summit I added back the pants and both jackets and on the way down I took them off again). Hiking would be so much easier if I didn't have to carry so much weight - I can't wait to get to Lone Pine (our next resupply stop) so I can ship back things I don't need... Too bad I can't ditch the bear can.
As spectacular as it was on top of Mt. Whitney, the way there and back was beautiful, too.
those marmots (like the one on the rock) were everywhere
Guitar lake up close
Guitar Lake from afar (that's it right in the center of the picture, you know, the lake shaped like a guitar. Lol
the lake on the left was frozen - the lake on the right, which was a little lower in elevation, was not
Party Monster, Yucca, and Orange Blossom- they were on the way up as we were on the way down (they wanted to see the sunset from the top... Cool idea but a little scary
We saw Bluebird when we got back to camp - he said he saw two bears the other day! We also talked with a guy, Bob, who was camping near us and planning to go fishing in the morning. I know Nick would love to be able to do some fishing - when I asked him what his favorite part of the day was he said, "looking at the trout in the streams". We'll definitely be coming back to the Sierras to spend more time here when this hike is over. :)
It was a great day. I just love Crabtree meadow, it is so peaceful here (deer are contentedly grazing off in the distance although you can't see them in pictures).
Crabtree Meadow