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I was invited on a climb of Mount Whitney with Brian Dipert (EDN Magazine columnist
and friend) and two of Brian's friends on July 4 and 5 of 1999. There
were four of us in the hiking/climbing party: Brian Dipert, Brian Forbes, Stephen
Wasson and myself.
Mount Whitney, at just under 14,500 feet, is the highest peak in the "lower 48" states. Although it is taller than Mount Rainier, Whitney is not considered a technical climb (at least not by the route we took) as it is not glacier-covered. Instead the major problem for hikers (particularly flatlanders like me) in tackling this peak is the altitude. At Brian's suggestion I was taking Diamox to help counter this problem, and I had no trouble other than some mild dehydration on the first day. (Tip: drink double what you think you need on any hike in the Sierras, or anyplace else for that matter.) The following images are scanned from 35mm slides.
Brian Dipert, Stephen Wasson and Brian Forbes.
Your's truly, on the way up.
With Brian Forbes.
The best spot to pitch a tent, IMHO.
Brian Dipert and Stephen ponder the 99 switchbacks.
Rocks at the top of the 99 switchbacks (look for hiker in this shot).
On a high ridge with Stephen.
At the summit.
Thinking about clean socks, warm pizza and cold beer.
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