WHITE MTN ATTEMPT
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 9:34 pm
Two weekends ago, I attempted to bag another 14er, since I am on a mission to bag a few favorites. I successfully climbed Mt. Langley, so White Mtn. was the next obvious choice. I heard different comments on how hard it was versus how it was the easiest of the 14ers. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot.
On a very short notice three friends and I decided to drilve to the Sierras on Saturday morning and hike on Sunday.
We made a pit stop at the visitor center in the Bristlecone Forest.
From the visitor Center, it is a 16 mile drive up a very rocky bumpy road to the Barcroft Station if you choose to camp out there. The gate is closed and doesnt open up until 630am. The other option is to camp out at Grandview campground at a lower elevation. Our group had a difference of opinions so, I decided to camp by the gate so that it would save time and avoid the nautious bumpy road on the same morning I would summit.
The views were gorgeous but the bumpy road was so annoying. We were driving at 10mph. it seemed like it was taking forever just to get to our campsite.
Wild Horse.
Views of White Mtn with snow patches.
We finally arrived at the Barcroft Gate and there must have been 30 cars already set up with their camping gear also planning to take the additional 2 mile drive up to the trail head of White Mtn. the following morning. Cars were still arriving late into the evening.
We arrived just in time for sunset.
Unfortunately for me, AMS started to affect me. I did everything in my power to get over it so that I could wake up early the next morning and be on my way. Sadly, my symptoms got worse and I could not join my friends. I waited for them in my tent for 7 long hours. I was thinking about that nautious 16 mile drive on the return to Bristlecone, then the additoinal drive down the curvy mountain road. Needless to say, I survived but made my friend stop several times off the road. I was so disappointed and I felt like I didn't even have a chance to attempt this beautiful peak.
Anyways, I am happy my friends summitted.
As someone once told me "sleep low hike high"
RIP John Nordinger
Picture was taken 2 days before he died of ALS.
On a very short notice three friends and I decided to drilve to the Sierras on Saturday morning and hike on Sunday.
We made a pit stop at the visitor center in the Bristlecone Forest.
From the visitor Center, it is a 16 mile drive up a very rocky bumpy road to the Barcroft Station if you choose to camp out there. The gate is closed and doesnt open up until 630am. The other option is to camp out at Grandview campground at a lower elevation. Our group had a difference of opinions so, I decided to camp by the gate so that it would save time and avoid the nautious bumpy road on the same morning I would summit.
The views were gorgeous but the bumpy road was so annoying. We were driving at 10mph. it seemed like it was taking forever just to get to our campsite.
Wild Horse.
Views of White Mtn with snow patches.
We finally arrived at the Barcroft Gate and there must have been 30 cars already set up with their camping gear also planning to take the additional 2 mile drive up to the trail head of White Mtn. the following morning. Cars were still arriving late into the evening.
We arrived just in time for sunset.
Unfortunately for me, AMS started to affect me. I did everything in my power to get over it so that I could wake up early the next morning and be on my way. Sadly, my symptoms got worse and I could not join my friends. I waited for them in my tent for 7 long hours. I was thinking about that nautious 16 mile drive on the return to Bristlecone, then the additoinal drive down the curvy mountain road. Needless to say, I survived but made my friend stop several times off the road. I was so disappointed and I felt like I didn't even have a chance to attempt this beautiful peak.
Anyways, I am happy my friends summitted.
As someone once told me "sleep low hike high"
RIP John Nordinger
Picture was taken 2 days before he died of ALS.
