Mount Whitney or Bust

- My first camping trip in the Sierra -

In 1952 I was 19 and had previously made only one overnight backpack camping trip to North Fork campground in Santa Anita Canyon with the Boy Scouts. I did have a little hiking experience under my belt and had hiked Mt. Wilson and a couple of other local peaks, but I was certainly not in great condition or ready for what the next couple of days would bring. But I was young.

We met up, my friends from PCC -- Peter Stephens, John Way, Ken Nichols -- and myself and left Pasadena about 8 p.m. Friday evening in Peter's old paneled truck. Eventually Mojave with its infamous Whites Restaurant appeared and we stopped for dinner. About 11:30 p.m. we arrived at Whitney Portal, put our old sleeping bags on the ground making a makeshift campground out of a little space next to the truck, and tried to get some shuteye.

I had no tent, stove, or prepared food-- only snacks and a can of Dintymoor Stew. For sleeping I had borrowed an old, worn-out WWII sleeping bag. I strapped all this on a string backpack I had made while in the Boy Scouts.

Saturday morning we all had a bit to eat, got our backpacks and other camping gear together, and after a late start finally began hiking up the Mount Whitney trail.. By the time we reached Muir Lake it was late afternoon and the group slowed down and began to spread out. I was ahead and forged on. By the time I reached Consultation Lake, none of the rest of the group was in sight. I later found out they had all camped at Muir Lake. I proceeded on up the famous 96 switchbacks, hoping to get a better view and see the rest of my friends.

I finally stopped long after dark and spent Saturday night at Trail Crest, right on the trail. At 13,333 there isn`t anything but rocks and those rocks not very comfortable, particularly with no pad to sleep on. Some time during the night there was a partial eclipse of the moon off in the southwest. I awoke Sunday to people stepping over me and complaining about my blocking the trail. Had some cold granola for breakfast and then headed on up to the trail. The hike from Trail Crest to the summit was spectacular, with views of the whole of the Sierra spread out to the west, and the Owens Valley and then the Inyo Mountains to the east. Telescope Peak in Death Valley was clearly visible. This part of the hike would have been fairly easy except for the thin air which made oxygen difficult to come by.

Once at the summit I signed the log book and enjoyed the view and all the awesome scenery. After waiting a couple of hours for my friends I started to worry and so headed down the trail and finally met up with them about halfway down the switchbacks

Got back to Whitney Portal about noon and got a little rest. My friends finally straggled in about 6 p.m. and we headed for home, tired but very satisfied.

Author: Ken Hornbrook
http://www.outdoorcampingcenter.com

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