Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First time an Old Guy tries and does it in one day

I was hiking (a stroll really) up Iron Mountain in Poway California. I hike it every Saturday and Sunday and I met a guy on the trail. That is not too unusual as I’ll speak to most anyone. But after a bit of conversation he admits that he runs this message board. We were talking about drinking the water in the mountains. I used to hike allover (from Alaska, Montana to California) and I drank from streams and have not gotten sick. I even drank from water sources in Southeast Asia and did not toss my cookies. That was the start of the conversation.

As you might guess, I am older than most who stroll up Mount Whitney and even though I am in shape, ‘cause round is a shape, I am a bit (say about 40 pounds) over the legal limit in weight for my size.

On July 10th, my partner and I (he’s a real climber – Mountain rescue in Colorado and all that) decided that we needed to “have a stroll up Whitney” and complete it in one day.

I read a lot of what people wrote in the message board and believed some of it. The part about the water was fantastic and true. On the one in the switchbacks, I got brain freeze drinking the water it tasted so good (we went off trail to the source). But the part about once you get to “Trail Crest” it is really easy is Horse Pucky.

I still don’t know the number of switchbacks (we all counted and got different numbers), but once we got to Trail Crest, the altitude of 13, 500+ feet started to take a toll. Now you got to understand, I am a very obstinate person. I do not like to fail at anything. That is why I pushed myself and completed it, but it was by far the hardest thing I have done in the past 20 years.

We had arrived at Whiney Portal early day the before, set up camp and walked up to the Whitney Portal Store and had hamburgers, I also bought a tea shirt just incase they were closed when we got back. We walked back to camp and went off to sleep next to a stream. Had a great night sleep (got up at 2:00AM) and hit the trail at 3:00AM

We started off with headlights and once day broke, it was a wonderful day. The scenery was stunningly beautiful and even though I was pushing myself, I felt great. When we got to Trail Camp, I was feeling bit tried, but after a short rest, off we went.

Next we hit the dreaded switchbacks. They are the prelude to a long exhausting struggle. We had had people passing us all day. My buddy kept saying, “slow down, keep your own pace.” Did I forget to mention that I am also a tad competitive? Well for an fat old fart, you’d think I would have gotten over that by now, but no.

In the middle of our drudge up the switchbacks, a lot of the people who passed us (most of them were 30 to 40 years younger than me), were headed back down. When I asked, “Did you summit?”, hoping that they completed. They all said they went to Trail Crest and turned around.

So if you are attempting to “stroll” up Mount Whitney in a single day and if anyone says that once you finish the switchbacks, it is clear sailing, they are either in super shape or they are not telling you the truth.

By the way, the hardest part was the last quarter mile or so before the top. I would take three steps and have to stop and get my breath.

The most depressing part of the trip was knowing that once you made it to the top, you had to hike back down.

By the way. The part that bothered me a lot was helping a couple where the young lady was really in distress. Her companion either hadn’t noticed it or was not smart enough to know that she was a short distance from dehydration and collapse. Her lips were blue and her eyes unfocused. I gave her my last liter of water (with electrolytes) and my partner gave him, his last half liter. I can't say they planed their hike very well. We were heading down and that was near Trail Crest and we knew we were only about 60 or so switchbacks from water, so we didn’t mind giving the last of our water. We helped others along the way, one poor guy had no idea what he was getting into and was rubbing cramps out of his legs most of the way down (he didn’t even make it to Trail Crest).

When we finished, the store was closed (we missed it by a hour or so), but we made it up and down in one day. I got a really nice inflamed knee (which still hurts) for my efforts, but I think I am going to attempt it again next July.

So, that is my story, I hope I did not bore you stiff.

Hey Over the Hill Bill!

Great story! I loved reading your "TR" (good humor)! Big time congratulations to you and your climbing buddy. You should feel very proud! It's nice to push the envelope and see what you are capable of. Also nice that you helped others along the way. That is the true spirit of hiking/mountaineering. Thanks so much for posting!

MC

Great job.I think that you voiced what many have stated that it is one long darn hike.The problem with that longest 1.9 miles from Trailcrest to summit, is that it comes after an elevation gain of 5300 feet to an altitude of 13,600. Then it is up and down on some unsure footings to an altitude of 14496. Who ever said it was easy? Way to get it done.

Way to go!

I listened to everyone who said that I'd never make it in a day, so I packed 30-40 pounds of gear up to trial camp (twice this year) and never made the summit. I should have done like you did and just go up and back. I really think I'd have made it that way.

I've also brought home a Whitney souvenir. I have a mild meniscus tear that is healing so slowly! Good luck with your inflamed knee, hope you're back up on Iron Mtn soon!

Thanks for responding.

I still hike Iron Mountain at least every Saturday, if not Sunday also. I usually make it up within 55 minutes, but with the bum knee, it takes me more time to come down. I was off hiking for about month and just had to get back, even though it hurts like heck.

I wish I had advice to give about going up. The best thing you could do to help you make it in one day would be to stay a couple of nights (getting a good a night sleep helps a lot) at Whitney portal and get acclimatize to the altitude. But really, after that, it just how badly you want to do it. I always listen to my friends and then go off and do what I wanted to do anyway.

If you want to do it, I am sure you’re the type of person that can do it. Besides, once you have done it, you can then wear a tea shirt like mine that says you did it in one day.

All the best of luck.

Fun trip report, Bill! I think the perception of the hard parts of the trail changes with your experience. The first time I did the hike, I was focused on the difficulty of the switchbacks; the second time I focused on the difficulty of the stretch from Trail Crest to the summit. Most recently it was the last few miles to the Portal that were hard. This last trip I was nearly to the cables before I even realized we were on the switchbacks -- it was still dark, and I was just putting one foot in front of the other and playing a fast fiddle tune in my head for rhythm.

About your knee, I had an "issue" with my knee after this last hike, and stayed off it for a few weeks without much improvement. Talked to my doc, she gave me a cortisone shot and the knee is as good as new. No way for me to know if that will work for you, but it's worth a visit to the doc.

By the way, it sounds like Iron Mountain has become too easy for you -- you need to add the Ellie Lane loop at the beginning, then go up Iron Mountain, make it a real hike.

Hi Kim in PL,

I had the shot in the knee, from a Doctor that had also made the trip up and down in one day, but for me it did not help. As an old guy, I should be happy all the parts are working and not worry about the squeaking (and painful) joints.

The old saying pops into mind about, “If I known I was going to live so long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Truth be known, I still would have done all the dumb stuff anyway.

Iron Mountain is sort of my exercise routine and although I have added the Ellie Lane loop, I like to just push myself up the straight and narrow path (this is the only time I can truthfully say that you know). With the scenery and most nice people you meet, it is much better than that stair climber in the fitness club that the guy used who we had to help off Whitney. So, when my knee is better (and it will get better), I will start by putting on a pack and losing weight for my next attempt at doing Mount Whitney in a day.
Bill

Hey Bill - You've made more than one reference as to your being an old guy. Would you mind sharing with us just how old you are?

OK,
Here is how it goes. Mentally I am 8 years old, when I wake up in the morning and roll (and I do mean roll) out of bed, I feel 120. When I look in the mirror I see my Grandfather (and he was really old). But to answer your question, I celebrated the 54th adversary of my 8th birthday (remember I think I am only 8), so for you normal people, I am 62 years old.

Over the hill Bill, Will we see you next weekend on Iron Mt.?

Over the Hill Bill:

There is hope for folks like you and me. I will be 62 in a few months and have been very active hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and generally spending time enjoying the outdoors. I've summitted Whitney four times via main trial day hikes. I've been up Shasta. White Mnt. five times. I blew my right knee many years ago and found myself with fewer and fewer things to do to remain active. After four surgeries on that knee, the last resort came nearly a year ago. That was a total knee replacement. I know everyone has an opinion on them but I was at a point of going for slow walks in the old neighborhood and not much more. I ended up having a total knee replacement last Nov. 27th. I followed the therapy thing religously. I spent the last week of this past August hiking once again in the Eastern Sierra, covering 60 miles and geting up to Trail Crest on that new knee. I will back snowshoeing and cross country skiing this winter. You might give it some thought. I got my life back!! Bob D.

Thanks, Over the Hill Bill. Don't know how long you've been reading this board, but in case you're new - you're in good company. There are lots of folks here in the 60's and 70's, even older.

Include me in that group. And I have no intention of slowing down -

OK, this is embarrassing, I was up Iron Mountain (Saturday) today (We start about 7:30 if my partner is on time). SO today We talked and I pushed myself a bit and we strolled up to the summit in less than 55 minutes. OK, so good, but remember my knee, it was killing me so coming down about 1/3 the way down, I had a hard time lifting it, tripped and did a 1 and half with a full layout position off into the rocks of the side of the trail. Just some skinned knees (yup at one too) and scrapes on my back and chest. But, I will be there tomorrow, Sunday, cuts and all at 7:30 AM

Hey Over the Hill Bill... don't be embarrassed about the whole falling thing... I understand all the cool kids are doing it these days!!!!

Cool, I will probably have to do that, but I kinda want to wait until I can’t even walk. It is a bit scarry.

You sound like a thinner guy than I. I spent too much of my life doing really bad things to myself. I was really into sports when I was young, the swimming team ( medals and all that), water polo, and football. But as I wondered around, Europe, Alaska and all over Asia, I kinda tried to live too many lives. I salute people like you. But me, I just like to push myself a little.

I have been extremely lucky to have met a lot of woman that were more than my match, and I am not embarrassed to say that.

My wife was China’s National Fencing Champion and by far better at most everything than I.

My Grand Mother once said, “women only need to be well behaved in Public.” I, on the other hand, believe that women should do anything they want, except beat me up, ‘case it hurts to get hit. And I usually don’t deserve it, well most of the time I don’t.

Bill,
You will be my inspiration for my dream to climb Mt. Whitney! At this point, I am just exploring the idea of attempting it in July 2009. I consider myself over the hill at 53 and with no mountain climbing experience (except at age 24 I climbed San Gorgonio). I would like to consider making a one day climb since the idea of carrying a pack and camping overnight sounds more difficult to me. What time in the morning did you start your hike and how long did it take? Do you have any advice for an over 50 female in good health, but in need of a lot of training prior to making the climb?

Shar

Shar

You can do it!!! My story is that I also hiked Gorgonio amongst other peaks in Southern California in my 20’s. Whitney when I was 30. Then put hiking/climbing mountains on the backburner until 49 (I did do some easy hikes with my husband off and on during that span). Decided I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro so I thought Whitney would be a good place to “get back”. I trained hard with weights for approximately six months at the gym. The Stairmaster was key for me; every other day on a tough level simulating climbing. I summited Whitney on June 10, 2007 at noon (I was slow, just ask Miss Moose)! Two weeks later, on my 50th b-day, I summited Kili with a gorgeous full moon. I have hiked quite a few peaks since then and plan to keep going. I want to see what I am capable of. Point is you can train (I find weight training to be very effective) and hike local peaks in S.C. and you can do Whitney. I wish you the very best. I have always celebrated life but getting back to the mountains has renewed a passion within me so great….

If you decide to hike Whitney, you will find much advice on this board. I would recommend acclimatizing just before you go, keeping hydrated/well nourished and taking time to enjoy Mt. Whitney!

MC

I was right behind you m.c.Great job and way to celebrate 50 on Kili.
I summited Whitney for the 1st time June 20,2007 at the age of 54 one month before my cancer surgery.I did it again this year at double nickels (age 55).
Us baby boomers have to prove to ourselves and others that we still kickass.

Shar:

There's a great new book out that might serve as a good source of inspiration. We're In The Mountains, Not Over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers by Susan Alcorn. ISBN-13: 978-0-936034-02-7 I got a copy from Doug, and, while I haven't read it yet, skimming it yielded some fun and funny stories of the trials and tribulations we face out there.

Another great book is called: Leading Out: Climbing Stories of Adventurous Women. And that reminds me I need to get it back from my friend who borrowed it!

This board is a great source of information, so check back here often, too!

-Laura