Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board First timers

New to this forum. Could I suggest a "sticky" area on the forum for things like "essentials" for the MWT attempt. Also perhaps one for "training suggestions" etc.

My thoughts for getting ready (for next year)....

1. Do the three peaks in Southern California
2. Increase my aerobic capacity (I also am starting to run more and will try adding hills).
3. Walk alot and hike more.
4. Stairs
5. Get to WP about 3-4 days before...warm up to Lone Pine Lake during the day on one day...trip to Mammoth on another day...hang out at WP for a few hours (may stay in LP)...day off before attempt...maybe that day be in Mammoth...not sure yet.
6. Start at lie 2-3am. (day hike up and back). I would rather have too much time to DO this than fear not enough.
7. Water, filtration/pills, advil, bagels, protein bars (non meltable), some fluid with electrolytes or pills for that, extra socks, small towel, hiking sticks, walking/running shoes (in addition to hiking boots), blister/foot first aid, camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, light hat, layers.

First timers on Aug 19.
Start: 230am
Trail camp: 630
Trail crest: 815
Summit: 945
Left summit: 1045
Finished: 4pm
13.5 hrs.

Personal thoughts: We did this with 12 hrs acclimatization. This wasn't text book, but luckily it worked out for us. I felt it on the switch backs when I started to huff and puff through the mouth. We slowed down and I mainly breathed in and out through my nose to slow my breathing and it made a big difference. I had read where COPD patients should breathe out through pursed lips to allow more oxygen a chance to get in their blood stream. I kept this in mind in the hard places at high altitude and it seemed to help. I'm not a medical professional at all but would love to hear someone else's opinion on this.

I am 5'6" and was hiking with a friend 6'3". I could not keep up with his long stride. Put the slower person in front.

Train harder than you think you should. It will only make the trip easier. Remembered an interview with Lance Armstrong when he was asked why he makes the Alpes look so easy. He said, come watch me train and when you see me crying and vomitting you'll know why.

I researched the hell out of this trip. From this board and personal accounts I felt very comfortable with venturing onto a new trail.

We filtered our water on our way up at trail camp and on our way down at the switch backs. Probably used 2 liters on our way up to trail camp, 2.5 l's round trip from trail camp to summit and back to switchbacks, then 2 more back Whit portal.

Hardest parts of the trip. The last 4 miles coming back and having to use the damn wag bag. Any long day hike I've done the last few miles coming back are the roughest. And I am a dayhiker, and only an occasional backpacker. Would rather not crap in a hole or a bag if I can help it. Swore to myself I wouldn't use that wag bag and haul around my own crap. I was making myself way too uncomfortable trying to hold it so I broke down. Have to admit I felt much better. And yes I hauled it out and disposed of it properly.

Best part: The people on the trail. Wish all people in the world had the attitudes of the hiking community.

Dan

Good article, never new it had a name associated with it. Saddened by the Doc's opinion that it doesn't scientifically work. Guess it could have been me focusing more on my breathing so it took my mind off the fact I was struggling.

Hi JNA I will start a topic called tips from first timers with the restriction that it is limited to input from first timers and this way will reduce the overtone of the "elitist" hikers control of the topic Thanks for your input Doug

Extention of the first timers topic .I will make it sticky and would like the input be from past first timers to reduce the overtones of the "you know" Thanks Doug

Floating this topic.