Imagine strapping three or more 12 pound bowling balls to your back and then walking up the stairs of the Washington Monument not once, but 37 times. Oh, and did I mention that the Oxygen content is only 60% that of sea level. Well, that should give you some idea of what is involved in climbing Mt. Whitney. It's not without its rewards, however; the scenery is occasionally breathtaking (or is that just the altitude again), often unusual, and sometimes downright bizarre. And despite the arduousness of the endeavor, somehow it's also relaxing, perhaps even cathartic. To round out the dichotomy of the experience, it offers at the same time both solitude from the everyday rat race, and bonding friendship from fellow backpackers. Anyway, it beats working.
Here you can hear the tales of the participants of this year's trip to Mt. Whitney. You'll see photographs that represent the awesome sights along the way and serve to document the adventure, such as the one below (okay, to be honest this photograph is actually of a place nowhere near Whitney- it was taken on a previous trip, but is included here because I think it's a nice picture). I wish I could have included more of the pictures taken on this trip, but there are probably too many already.
To continue and experience Mt. Whitney second hand, click on the appropriate days from the calendar below. To experience Mt. Whitney first hand, buy some equipment and GO FOR IT!
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