A couple of years ago, my wife and I decided to take up hiking for physical fitness. It was good for me, that and working with my wife in her housecleaning business as I was unemployed at the time. Well, my wife took to it like I couldn't believe. Soon, we were racing through our housecleaning gigs and rushing to our local mountain, Mt Diablo, in the Bay Area. Soon, I knew we were ready for a road trip.
"Hey, how bout Mt Lassen?" I said, thinking it would be a good primer with a little altitude and lots of camping.
Ah, but soon it was obvious. My wife was much too strong a hiker for little old Lassen.
"Oh what the heck, let's just go to Mt Whitney", I suggested. Thinking it would be a fun trip to someplace I'd never been. "Let's just go for the highest in the land 1st" I didn't honestly think we would see the summit, I just wanted some time away and a little vacation during a summer of hard work cleaning houses.
"OK' let's go do Whitney!"
When we arrived in Lone Pine, I would never have expected the wonder in my lady's eyes when she saw the mountain. She was instantly captured by the magic of Whitney.
Well we did make the summit. All in one day. With these two tiny little backpacks loaded down with all our water (like 6 liters) that wreaked havoc on my back. But we did it. And my wife's lifetime passion was found.
I consider myself a pretty strong climber/hiker, but I am nothing compared to what my wife has become. With each new mountain she climbs her enthusiasm for the sport grows and grows. This month, she leaves for Russia, to attempt her 1st Seven Summit, which has become her life's dream to climb them all. I personally, am confident she will one day do it.
I invite you all to her website <A HREF="http://www.ginethsoto.com/index_english.html">www.ginethsoto.com</A> .
Yes, it all began on Whitney. One long day that started at 3am with flashlights and ended 12 hours later chatting with Doug and eating patty melts.
Whitney remains one of our favorite places. We have returned a couple of times and done both the regular and mountaineers routes. These have only added to our love of this mountain. We were disappointed we couldn't make it this year, due to moving to Redding (yes, 1 hour away from Shasta,- please, Whitney, don't get jealous, you are still higher), but I know we will get back there next year, hopefully for our first winter ascent.
To all of you new folks who might be considering trying Whitney, you absolutely MUST make this trip. Your life will no doubt be touched by this special mountain.
Thanks
Los Dos Nuezes
<A HREF="http://www.ginethsoto.com/index_english.html">www.ginethsoto.com</A>
