Whtiney under moonlight

[whitneyfan]

Anybody hike Mt. Whitney at night under a full moon?

I talked to hikers that did it and said its pretty cool, but I sort of shrugged it off as a gimmick. That is until I finally saw the mountain in full moonlight.

I made my 3rd summit Aug 25th starting at 4 am. I had no idea there was a full moon that morning, but when I got my first glimpse of the mountain at the Portal I was blown away. At that time the moon was lower in the western sky so it was illuminating the Lone Pine Peak side of the valley.
It was so stinking bright it looked like someone was making a movie .
I still had to use a flashlight for some parts of the trail covered in trees, but I could see clearly in open sections.

The trail is in an optimum arrangement for a full moon hike. In the earlier part of the night the moon is in the eastern sky so it illuminates the portal side during most of the hike. By the time you reach Trail Crest and the opposite side of the mountain, the moon has crossed over to light that side of the mountain. I guess most people time it so they make summit right at sunrise. For an average 8 hr summit that would be a 9-10pm start time.

I have to reconsider this option.

[Ellen]

Howdy Whitneyfan

You're killing me -- that hike sounded amazing I'm jealous -- I haven't been up Whitney yet this year.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[tomcat_rc]

I have summited twice before dawn and had the pleasure of watching sunrise on the summit. Once via main trail and once via Moutaineers Route. Interesting experience to do the complete MR in the dark - well not completely dark with the moonlight. It sure is cold at 14k while waiting for the morning sun, but the views are incredible.

I just finished my 30th Whitney summit on Tuesday.

[Sally]

I know exactly what you mean about how bright it was - I was in the Sierra on Aug 25 myself. I'm happy for you that you got to see it from Whitney. Wow!

[whitneyfan]

I have summited twice before dawn and had the pleasure of watching sunrise on the summit. Once via main trail and once via Moutaineers Route. Interesting experience to do the complete MR in the dark - well not completely dark with the moonlight. It sure is cold at 14k while waiting for the morning sun, but the views are incredible.

I just finished my 30th Whitney summit on Tuesday.

30 summits?! I guess I stole your username.

It takes some huevos to do the MR in the dark - even moonlight, but I'm sure it was amazing all the same.

[Ellen]

Howdy TomCat

Congratulations on your 30th Whitney Thinking of heading up to hike the Blond before the end of September. The MR in the DARK? You're even crazier than I thought

Look forward to taking you up Skyline or the full C2C when the weather cools down. Hope to get Laura down here as well.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen