How do you reach the summit when you are 80 lbs overweight and totally out of shape? I know, because I did it on Sunday; very slowly, one step at a time. About two weeks before the trip, I was invited to join a group who had lost a member, so I had very little time to engage in any sort of conditioning activity. I did, however, have previous backpacking experience (including Whitney) and a thorough knowledge of where exactly my limits lay. I knew that (1) I would need to pace myself carefully, and go very slowly, avoiding overexertion, and (2) If things were going poorly, I would descend rather than exceed those limits.
We got a later-than-hoped-for start on Saturday at 7:45, and proceeded at a glacial pace (mine; my hiking buddy very patiently slowed to my pace), arriving a trail camp at about 5:00. We hit the switchbacks at 6:00am Sunday, and summited about noon. On the way back down the switchbacks, my hiking buddy and I split up -- she made it down in 45 minutes, it took my old knees twice that long! Another member of our party did not descend until 7pm, so we left for the portal at 8pm, guaranteeing that most of our descent would be under cover of darkness (ironically, my last Whitney trip also involved descending by flashlight, due to one party member's wet equipment). We didn't reach the car until 1:00am, and then had an 8 hour drive home, since some in our party had to work Monday afternoon.
If I had known I would have the opportunity for this trip, I would have trained in advance, and I would not do it again without training first (the extra weight is too hard on the knees!) but I did want to make the point that even hikers who are not in top shape can do this climb if they are willing to slow the pace to one that they can handle. Many hikers more fit than I am have failed, and I suspect it is often because they set a pace that they are not capable of sustaining for 22 miles and 6,000-odd feet of elevation gain/loss. I calculated that my time on the trail (including rest stops but not our time at the summit) was about 24 hours; much longer than the day hikers routinely spend. Listen to your body, set the pace that is right for YOU, drink plenty of water, eat even when you don't feel like it, and be willing to abandon your attempt rather than overextending yourself, and you CAN do this hike!
Last edited by whiskers; 06/20/07 04:19 AM.
