Ellen: How was Whitney?

[zippetydude]

Just wondering how the trip went. Hope you had fun!

z

[Cy Kaicener]

I visited the Whitney Portal Store message board/forum to find out about conditions -
http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum ... d/1/page/1
http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum ... #Post64487

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=46504

[tinaballina]

I think Ellen left today for Alaska to speak, i am meeting her on Friday for lunch to find out how Whitney went as well.
Zip, check your pm.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

I called in for a late permit pickup and we headed up last Thursday. Lance drove and I was the classical music DJ. I put on "Flight of the Valkyre" as we neared Cajon Pass. We had a fabulous Mexican food dinner at the Bonanza restaurant in Lone Pine (always think of the TV series when I see their sign). Started hiking at 4 AM on Friday July 3 with Paul -- a registered dietitian Lance works with at LLUMC. Prior to starting, we placed my CDs in the trunk to protect them from the dreaded classical- music-loving bears.

Lance led us out. Weather was perfect and there was enough daylight by 5 AM to ditch the headlamps. I felt like poop on a stick all the way up to Trail Camp -- the guys felt great. I finally started feeling like myself after a gel, some Alleve and a bit of caffeine and we charged up the switchbacks. I love the switchbacks and yeah, I know I'm weird

We ran into ice on the trail below the cables due to water from melting snow and streams freezing at night. The cable section was especially challenging My language became more colorful as we climbed and negotiated the ice. Right before Trail Crest, we crossed a patch of snow. Lance and I donned microspikes, though many other hikers (including Paul) did fine just using poles.

The wind was howling at Trail Crest. Lance and Paul added clothing while I continued in shorts and tee-shirt. The ridge section was quite cool due to the glacial wind and shade. However, thankfully it had little ice. There was one more section of snow with about 250 vertical feet to go. Lance took off while I just tried to maintain forward uphill momentum. We were soon at the cabin signing in and I was pleasently surprised to discover that I had been hiking for only 5:39.

It was very cold on top due to the wind. I put on my fleece jacket, ultra-light gortex jacket, and fleece gloves. After we did the requisite phone calls from the summit (hooray for Verizon)., we hunkered down in a natural shelter out of the wind and ate lunch. We decided it was time to head down when we were shivering and could barely talk coherently

Going down, the ridge was warmer due to the the sun exposure. I really don't care for that blasted sneaky climb back up to Trail Crest. Thanks to the radiant heat, most of the ice on the switchbacks had melted except for the cable section. The remainder of the descent was uneventful. By the time we reached Lone Pine Lake, I was like a horse headed for the barn. I was craving Mexican food and (you guessed it) beer The final section flew by and I reached the trail head for a roundtrip time of 11:40.

We were done early enough to have time for a repeat dinner at the Bonanza restaurant before heading home. When Lance stopped to gas up the car, he had to take care to avoid numerous chickens circling the gas pumps. It was like something out of a Monty Python movie. Only in Lone Pine

Flew up to Sitka, Alaska on Wednesday morning. When I saw the lush green mountains capped with snow as we approached the airport, I wanted to jump out of the plane. I went on what I thought would be a nice little recovery hike in the rain forest. Ha! I had on running shoes, my shorts and tee-shirt I'd worn on the plane, and did not carry any water. After all, this was only a six mile hike -- if you listen closely, you'll hear the music from "Psycho."

The Gavin trail starts with a gradual climb for one mile through a marsh over wooden planks. Then, it climbs steeply for two miles over wooden steps. When not on steps, you're on slippery roots, rocks, or wet ground. Occaisonally, it traversed over wooden planks which also were not level. By the time I'd reached the ridge, I'd lost significant amounts of fluid and my legs were shaking from the rigor of the climb and trying to maintain my balance over the uneven surfaces. I found a nice patch of snow, hunkered down, and quenched my thirst before going back down that damn Disney ride. Of course I fell going down hill and was covered with bits and pieces of the rain forest floor.

Got back to my hotel room looking like the creature from the black lagoon. My room key wouldn't work -- I bent it when I fell -- so I had to return to the lobby to get a new key. If nothing else I entertained the reception staff that evening. After cleaning up, I had a wonderful dinner with Alaska Amber Ale while gazing out the picturesque Sitka sound.

After giving my talk yesterday morning, I was able to squeeze in a civilized six mile loop hike incorporating the Sitka cross trail (2.5 miles with gradual ups and downs through the rain forest). The place and people are beautiful and I look forward to going back and spending more time there.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[tinaballina]

Sounds like a great trip ellen, thanks again for lunch.
Have a great hike tomorrow with kathryn,.

[zippetydude]

Sweet TR! I started reading it at work, and thought, "Wait! This is from Ellen!" So I saved it til I got home today and read it a couple of times at my leisure.

First, Great Job on your Whitney ascent time!

Second, I find the cables creepy, and I go in September just to avoid that nightmare. My fear is "If I slip and fall to my death here, despite the cables, the headlines will read, 'Idiot falls to death at CABLES (too stupid to hang on!) on Mt. Whitney." That ice stuff is just not for me. You did a great job negotiating it.

Third, how in the #$*%! do you finish the part down from Lone Pine Lake uneventfully? On my trips, the first half is up to the summit and down to Lone Pine Lake, the second half is Lone Pine Lake to Eternity and then down to Whitney Portal. It seems to be a couple hundred miles to me. I envy your efficiency!

Fourth, thanks for the cool description of your trip to Alaska. If there's one place in North America I could go tomorrow, that would be it. Living vicariously is better than not living at all!

So, when you want to do the 9 peaks? I'll bring a sharp knife!

z

[Ellen]

Howdy Z,

I'm definately doing Whitney later (August) next year -- I hate ice even more than rattlesnakes Considering how bad I felt for the first three hours, it was rewarding to rock and roll on down from Lone Pine Lake.

How about doing the 9 peaks in the next couple of weeks? Keep that knife sharp -- we may need it to end the suffering

Miles of smiles,
Ellen