Mt Whitney Trail in October! – a trip of apprehensions

This backpacking trip found us on a trail headed to the top of the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,508 feet… the Mt Whitney Trail (MWT)! I received an invite from Cheese to join him and Alfonso on a trip to ‘Do Whitney’. While questioning if I was yet ready for such an adventure, I was not about to turn down another rare opportunity like this. I knew that Bigfoot and I could climb the 6,500 feet, and I knew that we were both good for the mileage (22 miles round trip). The unknown variables for us was the Altitude and the Weather. With 7 weeks to prepare, I was only able to do about 40 miles of training-hikes before hitting the campground at Whitney Portal on Oct20. Bigfoot and I had been taking our prescribed Diamox in advance of our arrival, and we were in hopes that spending a night at the Portal elevation (8,360ft) would help us acclimate to the Altitude. Ton$ of new cold-weather gear was loaded into our packs to defend against the foretasted 9 degree (F) windchill at the peak. On the morning of Oct21, our boots hit the trail before 4am, and what lay ahead of us was the attempt of a lifetime! We set off with comfort that we were prepared for the cold, enthusiastically looking forward to seeing our summit and apprehensive anxiety wondering if Altitude Sickness (AMS) would end our trip early. Via reservations, we base-camped at Whitney Portal Campground on the nights of 10/20 and 10/21. Via Permit, we used the Mt. Whitney Trail. Actual Weather: It was much warmer than the forecast told us it would be. Nights got down to about 35 degrees. The Diamox worked amazing with me up to about 13,000 feet. This, when I normally start having problems above 10,000ft. Use of a backpackers stove as shown in this video does require that you hold a valid California Campfire Permit which can be obtained on-line. Other Backpacking with Woodglue Trips: Hiking Yosemite’s Half Dome :    • Hiking Yosemite’s Half Dome – Bonus: Ranch...   Trans Catalina Trail – Backpacking Trip:    • Trans Catalina Trail – Backpacking Trip   Bridge to Nowhere - Backpacking Trip:    • Bridge to Nowhere Backpacking Trip   Pacific Crest Trail trips: PCT Mile 0 to 41.5:    • PCT Backpacking – Campo to Mt Laguna (42.4...   PCT Mile 40 to 77:    • PCT Winter Backpacking Trip (Solo) – Miles...   PCT Mile 77 to 118:    • PCT Hike - Mile 77-118   PCT Mile 118 to 152:    • Solo PCT Backpacking Trip – Miles 118 thru...   PCT Mile 152 to 179:    • PCT Backpacking Trip - Miles 152 thru 179   PCT Mile 179 to 206:    • PCT Hike – Miles 178 thru 206 with a Bee H...   PCT Mile 314.5 to 329:    • PCT Hike - Mile 314.5 - 329   PCT Mile 329 to 369:    • PCT Hike – Miles 329 thru 369 (and a wet b...   PCT Mile 369 to 386:    • PCT Hike – Miles 369 thru 386 - Mt. Baden-...   PCT Mile 386 to 398, the 27 Mile trip:    • PCT Hike – the 27 Mile trip from 386 thru 398   PCT Mile 398 to 419:    • Solo PCT Backpacking Trip – Miles 398 thru...   PCT Mile 419 to 454:    • PCT Section Hike Mile 419 ~ 454   PCT Mile 454 to 486:    • PCT Section Hike - Mile 454 to 486   PCT Mile 486 to 496:    • PCT Winter Backpacking (a solo 49 Mile att...   PCT Mile 535 to 566:    • PCT Backpacking Trip - Miles 535 thru 566   My thumb’s up to TR Photography for their video editing and photography assistance! https://treberphotography.myportfolio... Thanks to Gustavo for the t-shirts! http://www.ga-ap.com/apparel/aparrel%... Intro Song: Some of You Text Me Records / GrandBankss "Steffen Daum - Goodbye My Dear" is under a Creative Commons license (CC-BY 3.0) Music promoted by BreakingCopyright:    • 'Goodbye My Dear' by @SteffenDaum  🇩🇪 | Ca...   SamHernz Worship song 2019 (without copyright)    • worship music   Song: Extenz - Island (Vlog No Copyright Music) Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link:    • Extenz - Island (Vlog No Copyright Music)   Cinematic Sounds No Copyright Music | Colors of Life | Ambient | Epic | 2018 | Cinematic Sounds    • Видео