Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Looking for Day Hikers for August 19th.

I have an extra day hike permit for August 19th. My son backed out of a father son hike and I looking to hook up with some one on that day.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am 65 and have a history of knee surgeries. However, I work out religiously and have been training for this. I did a hilly 14 miles yesterday - double dipsea in Marin County. In any case I will be slow, but this is a challenge I really want to meet.

I swore I wouldn't try again but what the hell...pencil me in but if you find someone who sounds like a better prospect let me know. My feelings won't be hurt.

What you should know: I'm older than you (72), have a tin hip (2003) and have had arthroscopic knee surgery (2005). I first summited MW about 40 years ago. I tried the MWMT in 2006 and turned back 1/2 way between Trail Crest and the top. In 2007 I made it to the summit. In 2008 I turned back at Trail Crest.

I think I'm in shape for a good attempt this year. I hike every week and have gone up Mt. Baldy (10K+) 3 times in the past 4 weeks.

My email is burtw@att.net. If you want to count me in we can work out the details via email.

In any case, good luck!

Burt

James and Burt,

You're da man!!!!!

Maybe you knee surgery guys can help me. I have a late August trip planned and have been having some on an off knee pain. It has really scaled back my training. You guys gave 20 years on me, but any suggestions on how to reduce knee pain on the hike. I did Baldy a week or so ago and the knee was fine (it was super hot which made it hard) and it was fine the day after, but I tweeked it again and it burns a little. I am more than willing to duck tape it and limp (that would assure a nice slow. steady pace at least), but I was wondering about neoprene wraps or pain killers or maybe even home remedies.

After tearing my medial meniscus 50% & having surgery, I found that wearing a neoprene knee brace helped support my knee well. I have the kind with the donut hole over the knee cap. Think they run slightly less than $20 per knee. Wearing these on both knees, I have climbed Whitney via the Mountaineers Route & over a dozen 14ers in Colorado since my surgery 3 years ago with no difficulty.

Good luck.

Knees are complex and our issues may not be identical. I have had 5 quad tendon repairs. It is a long story that I won't bore you with. I have no trouble going up hill but don't feel as steady on the down hills. But I have no actual pain.

I think the key is to lessen the pressure on your knees. The single best way to do that is to use treking poles. They are the best purchase I have ever made. Other than that get advice from a physical therapist on exercises to strengthen your quads and hamstrings. I walk backwards on a tred mill set at the maximum angle and it seems to help.

Good luck.

Regarding previous posts on hiking w/ bad knees, the comments are right on -- just put them together.

I have 25+ years of experience dealing w/ major ACL damage and successfully summitted Whitney last year. Hiking poles are a great way to save your knees, especially on the descent. I can climb with no pain, however when descending, I use a neoprene brace to help stabilize the bad knee. The few times I tried to tuff it out and go without the brace, I really regretted the next day.

Another good trick is liberal use of tylenol/asprin about 1/2 way into the hike, before pain sets in. This usually covers the more painful, downhill trek.

Those are my essential tips on hiking w/bad knees. YMMV.

How comparable is Baldy to Whitney in difficulty?
I was just wondering because Baldy will be one our
last practice hikes.

TIA

There are 4 main routes up Baldy (and variations). Most people do the Ski Hut route so I'll comment on that first.

It's not even close to the MWMT in terms of mileage. However, much of it is steeper than most, maybe all, of the MWMT. In addition, a lot of the Ski Hut trail is lose, nasty, unconsolidated stuff - hard slogging up and easy to fall on going down. The MWMT is good solid trail all the way. And, of course, Baldy tops out at 10,064 which is nothing like 14,500.

The Bear Flats trail from the village to the top of Baldy is longer, but still much shorter than the MWMT, it's steeper and harder than the Ski Hut trail, and, of course, it tops out at the same altitude.

In this area I think the circuit up San Gorgonio via Dollar Lake saddle and down via Mineshaft saddle is a better final practice hike for Whitney. It's actually a few more miles than the MWMT, all on good trail, and it has plenty of altitude gain. You still only get up to 11,500, though, so if possible you should plan to spend some time at or above 12,000 when you get to the Whitney area. 14,000+ is a factor all its own and it affects your ability to eat, breathe, and everything else.

Good luck, and have fun!

Poles and painkillers are my answer. I haven't found braces or patella bands to be much help for me but that doesn't mean they aren't great for some other people.