Mount Whitney Climbing Information

The hardest part of the climb is getting a permit for the day you want to climb. You must send an application by mail before Feb. 15th, and then you are entered a lottery for that date! I was able to get a date which corresponded with a family vacation passing through Vegas. I arrived at the trailhead around 10 p.m. Around 2 a.m. I awoke in my car to climbers preparing to climb. Not able to fall back to sleep, as well as excitement for the climb ahead, I got up and ready.

It was cool to hike a trail I have been reading about for years. The higher I got, the more I noticed views I have seen over the years in magazines. I arrived at Trail Camp where all kinds of climbers were cooking breakfast preparing for their summit day. From this point on I was within constant sight of other people, hence the permit system.

As the trail entered more alpine terrain, I noticed how much trail building had been done allowing the average Joe easy hiking through a pretty rough area. Getting close to the summit, people were really suffering. One guy looked ready to keel over and die, while his friend kept pushing him upward. When I arrived at the summit, I too was feeling crapy. I just sat there eating, try to rest. When I could not take any more of the bravado talk from the group next to me, I headed down. Although the views were nice, it did not have that "above it all" feel other state highpoints can have. Getting down went quick and I was back in Vegas that night for dinner with the family.

Mount Whitney - California State Highpoint