Mt. Whitney 8/18/09

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:57 am

At the last minute, I decided to try for a cancellation permit to hike Whitney. Got it! I started at the trailhead at 4:30 AM and reached the summit at 9:15. It was my fourth time on the summit, and my first time day hiking it at my own pace. Next time...faster!

The weather was amazing! I'll be back on this big boy on September 12.

Pics are here: www.flickr.com/photos/33777171@N06/sets ... 969252521/

jeffd · Post by **jeffd** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:49 am

Nice, that's quick! 2.3 mph average for 6000' elevation gain is not anything less than a brisk pace.

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:58 am

Thanks! I didn't think the time wasn't too bad, considering I didn't push muself too hard and I don't run at all. Made it down the mountain in 3 hours, 45 min.

RichardK · Post by **RichardK** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:03 pm

Wow! 4:45 up and 3:45 down are about half my time. We were last on Whitney in 2003. This year, we won the permit lottery and have one for Labor Day. Don't expect times like these, though.

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:15 pm

Spectacular pictures Liz. Thanks for sharing.

mattmaxon · Post by **mattmaxon** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:17 pm

So I see you where charmed by the Marmot Sirens of Mt Whitney too

See the smirk on this one after it made me think it was a tubby tabby !

Grinning like the Cheshire Cat I say!

Grrrrr

Nice going, super time

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:19 am

Ha ha!

I've been on Whitney 4 times, and hiked the whole JMT. I've seen my share of marmots, yet I cannot resist snapping a pic of them! I think they are so darn cute...well, of course until they are chewing on your pack, right? LOL

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:15 am

jeffd wrote:Nice, that's quick! 2.3 mph average for 6000' elevation gain is not anything less than a brisk pace.

Yikes! I was thinking of asking you to accompany me up Rabbit Peak later this year, but now I'm pretty sure you are way too fast for me.

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:05 am

Where is Rabbit Peak, anyway? And, I do go more slowly when hiking with a buddy. I'm never SLOW but when I'm being social, I'm not racing uphill.

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:18 am

Liz wrote:Where is Rabbit Peak, anyway? And, I do go more slowly when hiking with a buddy. I'm never SLOW but when I'm being social, I'm not racing uphill.

Rabbit Peak is one of the most challenging summits in SoCal:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... -peak.html
https://eispiraten.com/viewtopic.php?t=286
https://eispiraten.com/viewtopic.php?t=518

What's attractive about it is how while everyone and his cat has been to the top of Whitney, you won't meet many people who have been to the top of Rabbit Peak.

I tried once early last year, as an overnight, and was eventually driven off Villager Peak by lousy weather. I'd like to attempt it in a day this winter.

Liz · Post by **Liz** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:22 am

I'm ALWAYS up for challenging!

norma r · Post by **norma r** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:27 pm

i have yet to do Rabbit/Villager. if you plan it, i would be interested in joining you.