Mt. Whitney Climb Trip Overview (March 25-29)

ROUTE We will be taking the Mt. Whitney (main) trail. This is an 11 mile trail with a 6,300 foot elevation gain. Once reaching the top, we'll turn around. Total trip distance should therefore be about 22 miles. The book I have has printed maps, but we will also want to pick up a commercial topo trail map once we get to .

The first two miles of the trail has switchbacks and leads to a trail junction (at 2.8 miles), where a short detour leads to Lone Pine Lake, with a corresponding view of Owens valley. After a few small stream crossings (which will probably be frozen), the first designated camp, Outpost Camp, on the mountain is reached at mile 3.8. After leaving Outpost, the next 2.5 miles to Trail Camp has phenomenal views of the sheer granite face of Thor Peak, and of . As the trail goes on past tree-line, the views only get better as other peaks in the nearby range come into view. At 12,000 feet, the trail reaches Trail Camp. Beyond Trail Camp are just under 100 switchbacks that steeply lead up to Trail Crest, where there are views of the . The trail then meets up with the Trail. The last stretch up to the summit is considered the most strenuous part, but certainly the most rewarding. Just off the last stretch of the trail are a number of scrambles up 14,000+ foot peaks just a couple hundred feet or so above the John Muir Trail.

ITINERARY This is the current working schedule:

Day 0 (Pre-trip): We should all plan on meeting at least one day prior to departure to discuss last minute specifics as well as to purchase food for the trip.

Day 1 (Sunday): Leave Los Angeles around 8 AM. Take the 15 to the 127 to the 190, which goes through Death Valley. Weather should be pretty agreeable during the early spring months (around 70 degrees). The current plan is to test a couple of large-scale theatrical pyrotechnic devices out in the desert, so this would be an optimal time. For added safety, we would rig before sundown, have a nice show once it gets dark, then pack everything up, clean up, and spend the night at a motel (we may as well get a nice hot shower and a real bed for as long as we can before hitting the trail head). We may also want to visit Tecopa Hot Springs, which is right off the 127.

Day 2 (Monday): Wake up before sunrise and enjoy the spectacular sight of the early spring dawn over the lowest point in N. America. Explore Death Valley for the day, take plenty of pictures, and visit the sand dunes there. In the evening we can drive up the 190->136->395 and make it to Whitney Portal. We would plan on camping at altitude just before the trail head at Base Camp at ~8000 feet. This will start to adjust us to the altitude. In the winter heavy snow covers the last part of the roadway, so we may have to walk about 3-4 miles to get to Whitney Portal from the end of the usable road.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Wake up early and start the trek up the mountain. Plan on camping at Trail Camp at 12,000'.

Day 4 (Wednesday): Summit day. Wake up early and make it to the summit (conditions permitting). In the unfortunate event that we do have to turn back, it will probably be because of too much snow. It really depends on the weather, but if we are waist deep in snow, breaking trail will become quite an arduous task. After summiting, we would plan on back down to Outpost Camp (at 10,000') or Whitney Portal if we can make it.

Day 5 (Thursday): Hike back out to the car and take our time to drive back to Los Angeles. We will take the 395 through the lower Sierras into the desert, eventually leading us to Victorville, where we can get on the 15. There is an amazing off-highway-vehicle recreation area just off the 395 before Victorville called El Mirage. Time permitting, we can drive out there and enjoy a bit of driving on the dry lake bed and enjoy the sunset there. We should plan on making it back to LA Thursday night.

Afterwards: I’m flying back to Boston late Sunday night. It’s probably a good idea to schedule a flight back a couple of days after our planned return date (so Saturday or Sunday) in case we decide to spend more time on the mountain.

TRANSPORTATION We’ll have a four-wheel drive SUV for the trip which I am borrowing. I doubt it will get us over unplowed snow, but the last small stretch before Whitney Portal we will probably just end up walking. There may be another car joining us for the first day in the desert.

EQUIPMENT Make a checklist of everything you will want to bring so that nothing is forgotten. We really don't want to be buying last minute supplies right before the trip because something was forgotten in Boston. Here’s a list of some essentials:

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL ITEMS Map + Compass Pack large enough to fit supplies 0-degree rated sleeping bag Sleeping pad Snowshoes Gaiters Gloves + liners (bring an extra pair) Balaclava and (suggested) Neck gaiter Thermals Windbreaker shell Fleece jacket Wool socks (bring extra pairs) Sunglasses Goggles Beanie (>= 2) Water bottles Headlamp w/ extra batteries Watch Sun block Lip balm Moist towelettes/waterless soap Toothbrush/toothpaste Lighter + matches (every person should have at least one) Leatherman-like multitool Duct tape Ice axe Crampons Camera/batteries/extra memory (highly suggested) Cell phone (optional) Down jacket or vest (not sure we'll need it) (optional) A good book or two Knife Toilet paper Bring extra clothing just to be safe! I didn't really cover everything that is typically worn on the person during the day, but we are all pretty familiar with that, so it doesn't really need to be said here.

GROUP EQUIPMENT 2-person tent, 1-person tent, and backup freestanding tent with under-tarps Water purification tablets (just in case, although we will want to boil and melt snow for purification) Hanging stove (in tent version would be nice) Fuel canisters Snow shovels (2) First aid kit General repair kit Wire Parachute cord + webbing Epoxy GPS receiver Heavy-duty trash bags Cooking pots Magnesium fire starter Rags for drying off pots Utensils

GROUP FOOD Instant oatmeal Powdered milk Powdered protein Raisins + dried fruits Powdered hot cocoa Flavored coffee Bread (bagels, etc.) Fresh fruits and vegetables Tuna Pasta + macaroni Jam Peanut butter Instant mashed potatoes Ramen noodles Seasonings Butter

PERSONAL SNACKS Nutritional bars Trail mix Cheeses Mixed nuts Chocolates Sports drink powder mix Cookies Beef jerky Apple sauce Granola Meat spreads

PHOTOGRAPHY We will be encountering some pretty amazing places, and a camera would be highly suggested. Extra memory cards and camera batteries will be important. So will a good camera case. One tripod should be sufficient for all of us to share, should we want to take lower-light long- exposures.

EXPENSES Major expenses will include personal items which need to be purchased and equipment rentals, motel expenses in Death Valley, and gas money. We want to make sure that we get the equipment we want for spring break from MITOC, so we should get equipment early next week. We will need the equipment for slightly longer than a week, so these arrangements need to be made as well. I am planning on ordering some chemicals for a desert fireworks show, so if you wanted to chip in ~$50 to that, that would help. The other people that may come in a separate car will probably come for the fireworks show, so they will be chipping in on that as well. You are more than welcome to spend the night at my place in LA. The motel room shouldn't be much more than about $25/person for the night. I'm guessing $30-40 per person should cover gas, depending on how much driving we decide to do around Death Valley as well as what kind of car we take. All in all, expenses from the time of departure should be somewhere around $200.

PRE-TRIP PREPARATION Physical: We should try to be as in shape as possible for the trip. Running up the stairs to the Green Building with a load is a great idea. There isn't much hilly terrain to jog on in Cambridge, but if you know of some that's good too. Having our cardiovascular system in shape will help as the air gets thinner at altitude. Altitude sickness is a major issue, and statistically accounts for most of the 67% failure rate of people attempting the summit. Mental: In addition to mentally being ready for a challenging trip into the back country, it’s always good to fine tune general outdoors/mountaineering/first aid skills. I have a great book called Freedom of the Hills, which is worth flipping through and brushing up on important skills. MITOC also has a copy which I believe is available for loan. In addition, we should be very familiar about the route. I have two books which cover Whitney which you are welcome to borrow. Avalanche awareness skills will also be important.