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Technical Data |
We took a little survey (not everyone has responded) and we've posted the results below. We hope this information will help future hikers make some decisions about their hike. We've got some good advice in here...
There are three charts below. These charts are a must for anyone thinking about hiking Mt. Whitney. you'll learn a lot from this information. The charts include:
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Hikers, times, poles, fluids, and potty |
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Illnesses, food, and medications |
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Reflections of difficulty, memories, "If I could do it differently", and advice |
Hikers, Times, Poles, Fluids, and Potty
This chart tells a little about hiking times and fluid intake. The group left in two bunches about an hour apart and the times varied due to many circumstances including: frequent photography along the way, illness, helping others, and the lack of Oxygen tended to slow some folks more than others!
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Portal to Summit | Summit Stay | Portal Arrival | Treking Poles | Initial Fluids Carried | Total Fluid Intake | Potty Breaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George | 0400 - 1130 | 90 min | 1630 | Yes (2) | 152oz | 130oz | 3 |
| Larry | 0330 - 1210 | 80 min | 1900 | Yes (2) | 164 oz | 164 oz | 5-6 |
| Char | 0400 - 0104 | 30 min | 1727 | Yes (2) | 84 oz | 84 oz | 10-12 |
| Allen | 0400 - 1045 | 90 min | 1625 | No | 100 oz | 150 oz | 6-8 |
| Greg | 0400 - 1045 | 90 min | 1625 | Yes (2) | 100 oz | 150 oz | 2 |
| Kris | 0330 - 1300 | 60 min | 2005 | No | 106 oz | 75 oz | 3 |
| Scott | 0330 - 1210 | 120 min | 2010 | Yes (2) | 102 oz | 130 oz | 2 |
| Brad | 0330 - 1145 | 135 min | 2010 | No | 100 oz | 300 oz | 8 |
| Lyle | 0330 - 1030 | 180 min | 1900 | Yes (2) (up only) | 100 oz | 130 oz | 3 |
| Bob | 0400 - 1105 | 75 min | 1625 | Yes (2) | 170 oz | 165 oz | 2 |
| Geoff | 0400 - 1150 | 90 min | 1910 | Yes (2) | 100 oz | 180 oz | 12 |
| Erin | 0400 - 1105 | 75 min | 1625 | Yes (2) | 170 oz | 100 oz | 3 |
| Russ | 0400 - 1200 | 90 min | 1900 | Yes (2) (down only) |
160 oz | 21 oz | 8-10 |
"I was well hydrated prior to the hike. With fellow hikers everywhere and no trees for the last five miles, the key was to look like you were soaking in the panoramic view instead of soaking the rocks around your boots." --Larry
"You have to look at the whole experience, the planning, the training (at least for some of us), the acclimation day at Mammoth, discussions on how best to be prepared, spending time with friends, the whole weekend made it a great experience with the hike as the icing on the cake." --Greg
"I had mixed thoughts about hiking poles before the hike. I have had problems with my knees while hiking in the past. I wondered if hiking poles would help, but $120 was a lot to spend. I was pleasantly surprised to see hiking poles offered free at the trail head store. A hiking pole company provided hiking poles to promote their product. There was no charge if you returned them at the end of your hike. I think the poles made a significant difference. I used the poles to steady myself when my ankle would twist and to take the load off my knees when stepping down the hundreds of rocky steps on the return." --Larry
"I didn't prepare well for the adventure (physically). It wasn't until I got to the top of the 97 switchbacks that I knew I would make it. My mistake was trying to rush it early (not very successful) but once I went at my own pace, it was as easy or difficult as I wanted to make it. Brad, Kris, and I really took our time from the summit to the bottom of the switchbacks. Start out early so you don't feel rushed! I spent a lot of time on the summit (good weather luckily) and really enjoyed it." --Scott
"Of the fourteen in our group, five of us decided to leave early. An extra hour would put us on the summit closer to the flat bellies (my reasoning) or give us more time to enjoy the hike. We began our adventure from the tail head at 3:30 am. Everyone had head lamps to see the trail. Unfortunately, you could only see the bright spot on the trail from the lamp. The first two hours of scenery was black and gray shadows. My brother, Lyle, turned his lamp off shortly after we started. The full moon was illuminating the rocks and making it fairly easy to see the path. Once yours eyes adjusted to the darkness you could see much more without the head lamp." --Larry
Illnesses, Food, and Medications
This next chart displays data on illnesses, food, and medications...including the wonderful prescription medication, Decadron, which was taken to avoid altitude sickness.
NOTE: It is easier to gain a good perspective if you read down the columns to compare hikers instead of across.
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness | Take Decadron | Other Meds | Food Consumed | Food Night Before | Breakfast Morning of Hike | Aches and Pains After Hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George | No | Yes "No side effects." |
aspirin | cliff bar, Balance Bar, Jolly Rancher candies, gorp, fruit rollup, orange, vege-meat / cheese bagel | spaghetti and salad | bagel, OJ, banana, yogurt | gluteus maximus, soles of the feet but soaking them (the feet only) in the ice water stream was heaven |
| Larry | No | Yes "Hiking Whitney in one day is tough enough without battling altitude sickness. It was well worth it." |
pain relief medicine after the hike | apple, banana, bagel, 2 cliff bars, package of M&Ms | pasta and salad | banana and water (memories of the huge plate of pasta the night before was still weighing me down) | The next morning I was a little sore, but not too bad. I credit the walking poles. |
| Char | Yes (headache, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting--once) |
No "I wish I had taken it." |
2 Tylenol | 4 fruit bars, granola bar, PowerBar,
orange juice, grape juice. ("I lost all this beyond the saddle during the last 3 remaining miles.") At the summit: 2 gourmet cookies, 1 power bar, grape juice, trail mix |
spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread | granola, soy milk, banana, trail mix,
and orange juice |
None |
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness | Take Decadron | Other Meds | Food Consumed | Food Night Before | Breakfast Morning of Hike | Aches and Pains After Hike |
| Allen | No | No | No | PowerBars, nuts, apples, dried fruit | Pasta | Muffin and banana | Feet and knees were a little sore as expected |
| Greg | No | Yes | 3 Ibuprophen at trailhead | 2 bagels, sandwiches, apple, peanuts, 3 granola bars, Skittles, trail mix | Spaghetti and salad | Bagel, banana, apple, yogurt | Legs were tired. I was a little stiff after drive home the next day. |
| Kris | No | Yes "But it doesn't provide any Oxygen." |
No | 2 PowerBars, 2 PowerGels, apple, banana | Spaghetti and salad | Cinnamon roll and banana | Really sore feet, especially my big toes--partially numb for a few days |
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness | Take Decadron | Other Meds | Food Consumed | Food Night Before | Breakfast Morning of Hike | Aches and Pains After Hike |
| Scott | No | Yes "No one that took it got sick." |
Advil after the hike | 2 bagels, gorp, banana chips, 4 PowerGels, shelled sunflower seeds | Spaghetti and garlic bread | Cereal, rice-milk, plumb, banana, bagel | Knees, back, toes |
| Brad | No | Yes | No | Several granola bars and energy bars, PowerBars, and 1 PowerGel (on 97 switchbacks) | Can't remember | I think I ate an apple | My knees hurt a bit; sore quadriceps, thoroughly tired |
| Lyle | Bad sense of humor | Yes. "I've never been that high without it." | Tylenol | Three bagels and three PowerBars | pasta | fruit and coffee | My toes on my left foot were hurting and they are still a little numb (6 weeks later) |
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness | Take Decadron | Other Meds | Food Consumed | Food Night Before | Breakfast Morning of Hike | Aches and Pains After Hike |
| Bob | Slight dizziness about 2 hours into the hike. Faded over time. | Yes. "I would take it again for any hike at altitude." | Advil (400mg at trailhead, 400mg at saddle) | 3 energy bars, handful or two of Gummi Bears and Gummi Worms, handful or two of peanuts, fruit, sandwich, and a celebratory cookie on the summit | Spaghetti, bread, and salad sans dressing | Bowl of cereal | Sore feet, tired knees and ankles |
| Geoff | No | Yes | no | 2 cliff bars, 2 PowerBars, 2 cream cheese and olive sandwiches on onion bagels (bagels travel better than bread), 10 Slim Jims, 4 pieces of sugarless bubble gum, 20 Jolly Ranchers (passion fruit), 8oz can of macadamia nuts, 2 apples, and a peach that looked like it made the trip on the bottom of my Nikes. | spaghetti and salad | 2 bowls of Porduct 19 cereal, 1 can of peaches, 1 cup of orange juice, 2 cups of coffee | legs a little stiff after the drive back to Folsom the next day |
| Erin | Dizzy and lightheaded early in hike which faded by summit. Slight headache at end of hike. | Yes. "I would always take it for any hike at altitude." | Advil (200mg at trailhead, 200mg at saddle) | 1 Cliff Bar, 1/2 bagel, plum, chocolate covered raisins, and a cookie on the summit | Spaghetti, bread, and salad | Bowl of cereal & banana | Sore shoulders |
| Russ | Exercise-induced headache. | No | 3 Ibuprophen at trailhead | 2 bagels, 2 granola bars, 2 apples, and coffee candies | Spaghetti and salad | Bagel, banana and oatmeal | Legs were tired |
"PowerGels are awesome! When my energy was slowing me to almost a crawl, the carbo's in these puppies gave me a noticeable energy boost within only a seemingly few minutes. It was real!" --Scott
"I do remember that I could hardly sleep the night before. I may have slept, at the most, an hour at one time. 2:00 AM came quickly, and I feared I would oversleep." --Brad
"There were a lot of sick people on the mountain. I talked to several that didn't make it to the top because of altitude sickness. I think most folks made it though (all of our group did)." --Scott
Reflections of Difficulty, Memories, and "If I could do it differently"
If you're thinking of tackling this mountain...this BIG mountain, you really need to read the section below. This is where you'll get ideas and about how to prepare and what to avoid.
NOTE: It is easier to gain a good perspective if you read down the columns to compare hikers instead of across.
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Toughest Segment | Favorite Segment | Favorite Memories | What I'd Do Differently | Hike It Again? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George | switchbacks | The final ascent on the rock trail and being on top looking out 360 degrees panoramic view | the reflection of the mountain on the lake, the wild flowers, SEQUENCE!, the comradory, the intensely vivid blue sky | carry less food and water, don't forget to put in Gatorade into the water | absolutely |
| Larry | I was doing pretty well until the 97 switchbacks started. I had to slow down and pace myself. The final pitch was also tough. | Hiking along the mountain crest was incredible. Steep rock formations chiseled everywhere as we serpentined along the crest of several peaks. | I will never forget how my little brother was watching out for me, his older brother. Lyle and I had a great time and are closer for the experience. I also enjoyed getting to know the others in the group and continue to share a very special bond with each one of them. The scenery, talking to other hikers on the trail, arriving at the summit, choking up when I heard my wife’s voice on the cell phone, testing ones physical and mental stamina and the feeling of smallness in God's majestic creation. | I would take less food. I carried over half of it back. I would also take a lighter pack. | I would consider hiking Whitney again if my kids wanted to do it. |
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Toughest Segment | Favorite Segment | Favorite Memories | What I'd Do Differently | Hike It Again? |
| Char | the part just before the saddle and the last 3 miles |
The view at the saddle and at the top | Reaching the top! The
encouragement I received from my friends was a blessing. I appreciated Erin's hug
sometime during my last 3 miles from the top, and Brad's hug at the summit when I finally made it! Thank the Lord for Christian friends! |
Take a camel back water bladder, I would not take as much food as I did, and I would not walk as fast at the beginning of the hike. | Yes, sometime in the future |
| Allen | Downhill--the last half of the trip was tough on the knees | The top and the windows along Keeler needle. Awesome views and exposure. | Hiking with friends and the
incredible views from the top. |
Nothing | Yes |
| Greg | The last rocky pitch before the summit | After the saddle, area running along the spine of the mountain where you can see off to the east as well as the west. | Seeing the ominous mountain; just before sunrise; how blue the sky was; seeing the mirror-like lakes; summiting of course | Definitely | |
| Kris | Detour around the snow-covered portion of the 97 switchbacks; last steep uphill segment by snowfield just below summit; any uphill section above 13,000' | The mountain meadow | Sunrise and everyone in our group making it to the top. | Figure out a way to get more steps past the 5 or so that I would take and then have to stop and suck up what Oxygen I could get at those unreasonably high altitudes. | Yes |
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Toughest Segment | Favorite Segment | Favorite Memories | What I'd Do Differently | Hike It Again? |
| Scott | The fast pace at the beginning and the killer boulder fields before the summit | The winding trail beyond the saddle and the views through the windows. Reaching the summit in exhaustion. | Calling my family from the summit (I got surprisingly choked up); counting the the last of the 97 switchbacks on the way up; having a deep spiritual worship on the way up with the scenery and Christian CDs; the hail in the meadow on the way down; long conversation with Brad. | Take much less food (a few pockets full was enough). I wish I would have trained for this hike (Diamond Head just didn't cut it) | Maybe. Camping half way up might be more fun, but with less bragging rights. |
| Brad | 1/10th of a mile from the summit. Going along the side of the snow pack I felt as winded as any time on the whole hike--had to rest several times. The 97 switchbacks were also very difficult, but I rested often. | When we first started. The high cliffs on both sides were spectacular. Watching the sun come up was incredibly inspiring. The most rewarding part, of course, was when I summited! On the way down, I enjoyed conversation with Scott. I loved the flowers, marmots, trailside meadow, the high alpine country, hiking with friends, encouraging each other--GREAT DAY! | Friends, summiting, spectacular scenery, awesome feeling of accomplishment, trailside meadow, hail, 97 switchbacks, the boulder field, sitting on top, and an awesome Sabbath Day. | I don't think I would do anything differently. This was the most prepared I have ever been for something like this. Actually, I have never hiked 22 miles in one day, especially at the elevation we did. | I think I would enjoy hiking this mountain again, especially with Nadine. I would, however, like to hike some other high elevation peaks first--maybe Shasta. |
| Lyle | The last two miles going down | Just before the summit on the back side of the mountain. I've never seen so many shades of brown. | I hadn't been with my brother (Larry) for that amount of time since we were kids. The favorite memories are when we were driving to the mountain and then back home. The next best memory was on the way down the mountain looking back up at the summit. | Yeahp!!!!! | |
| Hiker (no particular order) |
Toughest Segment | Favorite Segment | Favorite Memories | What I'd Do Differently | Hike It Again? |
| Bob | The rockfall immediately below the summit - sans trail | The two miles between the saddle and summit | The drive; Mammoth hike; playing Sequence on Mammoth Mountain and after the hike; summating with Erin; the friendship of the hikers | Take less food. Take a few more pictures along the way up | Definitely yes |
| Geoff | The rocky detour up the side of the mountain where the snow covering diverted us straight up, bypassing a couple of switchbacks | Summating and having great friends
cheering me on. Also the view west from trail crest. There is the most beautiful high alpine lake just below the trail. |
When Russ and I stopped about 10 mins after eating lunch on trail crest, I must have been getting kinda of punchy because He had me laughing soooooo hard that I thought I was going to simultaneously have an impromptu "potty break" whilst pass out from oxygen deprivation. Seeing the way that everyone in the group banded together to help one another. The whole trip from the months in preparation to the Sequence game the night of the hike was a blast and a memory that I will cherish forever. |
carry less food not take so much food. I started eating like a pig on the way down so I wouldn't have to carry it anymore. My REI Taurus pack had more than enough room for all the essentials plus the nonessentials with enough room to pack for one other hiker. If I could trust the weather, I think I would just take my Camelback and 4 PowerBars. | In a heartbeat. Can't wait 'till my kids are old enough for this kind of thing. |
| Erin | The rockfall immediately below the summit | The meadow with the stream and flowers | The views of the small lakes, signing the book at the summit, summating before some of the men in our group | Eat more food and drink more fluids | Yes |
| Russ | The last rocky pitch before the summit | The saddle area | Taking video of the hike. The changing colors during sunrise. Being there with good friends. | Have a picture taken while "on the 'throne'" up on top. | I'd rather go on to the John Muir Trail. |
"What a feeling of accomplishment to stand on the tallest peak in the Continental United States." --Brad