Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hiking suggestions

Hello,

Just a newcomer to hiking and so far only have Whitney via main trail under my belt. This message board was extremely valuable in my prep for the trip which I just completed successfully with a few girlfriends a week ago to celebrate our turning 30.

I have a pretty pronounced fear of heights and once I saw that I could do Whitney and "The Windows," I have become so much more intrigued. In fact...I think I am hooked!

My question is to those out there who also have some anxiety over heights. What are some other CA mountains/hikes of similar level of difficulty to Whitney that have a similar level of exposure (or less)? I would like to continue to pursue this, but realize that Whitney might be realistically my limit on how much exposure I can handle while still managing to enjoy myself. I like a challenge, but am more into enjoying the view and the sense of community. Thank you for your time!

Actually Whitney isn't that bad compared to another hike I did last year on Long's Peak in Colorado. That one will likely strike fear into those who have fear of heights not just for the long drop, but because the trail (if that's what you want to call it) gets ragged past the keyhole. And it's really bad when you're coming the steep grades and you realize just how far up you really are.

The nice thing with Whitney is that the trails aren't very narrow and there's always plenty of space to accomodate people going in both directions.

The area just past the trail crest where you're curving around the backside is as bad as I've seen it get. If you make it through there, you're golden as far as heights are concerned.

I should also mention that if you're carrying trekking poles, you can use that to steady yourself, and just that feeling of steadiness goes a long way toward quelling any fear of heights you might have.

In Yosemite, both Cloud's Rest and Half Dome can offer a bit of an adrenalin rush for those who "crave" more exposure to high expansive views.

prettybird, I wouldn't try Half Dome next -- the cables scares more people than any other place.

But for other peaks, you should climb White Mountain northeast of Bishop next. Then try Mt. Langley, just south of Mt. Whitney.

You didn't say whether you wanted suggestions for overnight or dayhikes, but White Mtn is a dayhike, while Langley is farther -- a Whitney-class dayhike, but a very nice overnighter.

Also, if you are in southern California, there are a number of peaks to try there.

Thank you for the suggestions and the start of a new topic. I am afraid my message board etiquette might need some work!

I did Whitney as an overnight to assist with the acclimatization and am open to both overnights as well as dayhikes. I think I will be adding Mt. Langley and White Mountain to my "list" as they seem to be within my reach.

I may have to hold off on Half Dome as that might be too much for me! Something to shoot for down the road should my confidence increase with experience.

Prettybird

I would give either Mt Langley or Cirque Peak a shot. Both of these are located just a bit south of Whitney and have less exposure. You can access Mt Langley via Cottonwoods Lake and then up and over New Army Pass. At the top of New Army Pass you will starring right at Mt Langley. You can access Cirque Peak the same way but at the summit of New Army Pass Cirque Peak will be to the left and behind you a bit. Getting to the summit is pretty straight forward and mostly boulder hoping. Good luck and have fun.

Prettybird,
If you live in SoCal, Mt. Baldy by way of the Devil's Backbone has some sections where the trail is narrow and the mountain rolls off steeply on either side. The trail is a good training route for Whitney while still staying local.

DaveG

The Mt. Baldy hike via Blue Ridge (traihead in Wrightwood) has some exposure issues. I think this route has more exposure than the traditional Devils Backbone way.

Also, Clouds Rest in Yosemite is dodgey for people with fear of heights. The last 1/4 mile is over exposed rock and the last minute is over a knife-like cliff which leads to the summit. This hike offers the best 360 degree view you will ever see anywhere! Sadly, the smog from the Central Valley is obscuring the view more and more.

A friend and I hiked Mt. Baldy two weeks ago. The devil's backbone side has a "ledge" that seems to have narrowed over the years. A few guys (men) ahead of us did turn back because of the narrow ledge. I did make it, but not without an increase in blood pressure. But, you can always turn around and backtrack a bit and take another route up to the summit and still complete the hike in a decent amount of time. But, it was the most beautiful hike I have been on, from beginning to end.