Mt Whitney - highest mountain in continental US
This week's photohunt theme is rocks. I knew I would not have any difficulty with this theme except the difficulty choosing a photo. We love to hike and there are always rocks when hiking. But what hike to highlight?
Our climb up Mt. Whitney won out. Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the continental US. Mt. McKinley is higher but it is in Alaska. The mountain is located in eastern California about 6 hour drive north of Los Angeles. It was 14,496 ft when we climbed it but it has been remeasured and is now officially 14,505 ft or 4,421 m. That is a lot of rock!
We climbed it in 2004 to celebrate my 50th birthday. You have to plan ahead to both train and get a permit for the climb. We entered a lottery in January and got a day pass to do the climb in late July. We decided to do it in one day so I wouldn't have to carry a heavy pack.
But it is a challenge to do in one day. It is 22 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 6,131ft. We started hiking at 3am - made it to the summit shortly after noon and arrived back around 7pm. I think going down was harder than going up. The trail was mostly rock and a killer. But what an accomplishment.
More pictures:
Small tarn along the summit trail to Mt. Whitney
The Needles and Mt. Whitney above Trail Camp near 12,000Ft
The Cables above Trail Camp on Mt. Whitney Trail
Nothing but rock at the top
Happy hikers at the summit of Mt. Whitney
Related posts:
Comments (16)
Great rock photos. :)
Posted by leslie | July 18, 2009 12:31 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 00:31
Wow! It's an accomplishment indeed, besides being beautiful.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by SnoopyTheGoon | July 18, 2009 7:49 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 07:49
GASP!! Your first photo is absolutely gorgeous! It looks like a painting.
Posted by feefifoto | July 18, 2009 8:07 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 08:07
great shots, I've never seen terrain like that.
my photo hunt is here Thanks
Posted by kaye | July 18, 2009 8:24 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 08:24
Thank you for sharing. You always post the most wonderful photos!
Posted by Eden | July 18, 2009 8:54 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 08:54
What a cool way to celebrate your 50th (and an amazing accomplishment to boot). I've never seen terrain like that and it's so strange and beautiful.
Posted by Annie | July 18, 2009 9:06 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 09:06
I am so impressed! That looks like a difficult, but beautiful climb. What a great way to celebrate your 50th, and something to be really proud of. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | July 18, 2009 10:02 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 10:02
That's a beautiful mountain and you got some great shots. What a great way to celebrate turning 50! Happy weekend.
Posted by Carver | July 18, 2009 10:37 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 10:37
Congrats on a great accomplishment. I love your photos, what an amazing place!
Posted by candi | July 18, 2009 11:55 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 11:55
What an incredible accomplishment to have made that climb! great shots.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by Jerry | July 18, 2009 12:55 PM
Posted on July 18, 2009 12:55
I see a frog in Mt Whitney in the first pic, wish I have the will to do such a climb
Posted by lissa | July 18, 2009 1:54 PM
Posted on July 18, 2009 13:54
Cool - very cool! menehune
Posted by menehune | July 18, 2009 8:11 PM
Posted on July 18, 2009 20:11
absolutely stunning. happy PH!
Posted by liferamblings | July 18, 2009 9:49 PM
Posted on July 18, 2009 21:49
Hi Marta, great photos for this week's theme. Congrats on summiting Mt. Whitney in one day. Your photos are all so beautiful. The rock formations are amazing to look at and the views from the top are incredible.
Congrats again on such a great accomplishment!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 19, 2009 6:49 AM
Posted on July 19, 2009 06:49
These are just amazing photos! One day I hope to go hiking on mountains just like these. But for now I'll live through you and other hikers that I know. Thanks for sharing these.
I have mine up...not as interesting as yours but it's up.
Also if I may be so bold to ask...I've entered a photo contest and while you are over visiting would you please vote for me? It would be greatly appreciated.
Have a great rest of your weekend.
Posted by Kim | July 19, 2009 12:05 PM
Posted on July 19, 2009 12:05
Thank goodness there are brave and driven people like you who make the climb and get the shots for those of us whose knees just won't do it. My hunt is up here -
http://melange1.blogspot.com/2009/07/sph-rocks-cry-out.html
Posted by srp | July 19, 2009 2:31 PM
Posted on July 19, 2009 14:31