very interesting video. FWIW, here are my thoughts as a guy who first climbed MW at age 49 and climbed it 12 times, 10 of which were day hikes. The keys to a successful day hike of MW are (1) to get in superb hiking condition, (2) acclimate a min of 4 nights at 8,200+elevation, and (3rd), stay hydrated... I did this by living in San Diego and day hiking San Jacinto (16 miles), San Gorgonio (19) miles and hiking Baldy often. Also it helps to be experienced with high altitude, previous to MW, I skied every year at Mammoth and Colorado resorts, I have spent a lot of time above 10,000' exercising hard...Before my first MW summit I did San Jacinto 5x in 5 weeks, in addition to climbing the local 500' hill from 3 directions to make it a 1,500' hill. There is absolutely no substitute for putting in the time and effort to hike as many 10,000' high mountains as possible. Not once or twice, I would do them 5-8x before MW. San Gorgonio is a good proxy for MW, if you have any problems with SG, don't try MW. Second, you must acclimate, that doesn't mean sit in the Portal for a few nights. Better to go to Mammoth at 8,200', spend the day climbing Mammoth and hanging out at the summit at 11,053", panoramic views, food, bathrooms and a gondola ride down. Stay in Mammoth for 3 nights, then spend the 4th night at the Portal. Finally, be sure to have your water pump ready and stay hydrated. Two more tips...bring diamox and the day before the hike, take a half a pill. On the actual hike, when you get to Trail Camp, take another 1/2 diamox. When I would summit, I would take 1/2 an Excedrin Migraine, that helped ward off the headache that comes on the descent. I would NOT start at 1am, you need all the sleep you can get, I would go to sleep at 800pm and awake at 3am, depart the Portal at 4am, summit at 11am, down by 330-4pm. Starting at 1am will unnecessarily tire you out. If you can't day hike MW between 4am-6pm, then you shouldn't be trying. Final thought is hydration. You will get good at that after doing many prep hikes, experiment and find what works for you. And finally, this whole idea of "3 tips for beginners on MW" is foolish, beginners should not be on MW, don't even consider doing MW unless you have done enough prep work to be an intermediate hiker. So there you have it, the keys to a successful MW hike, it's really not that hard if you are hike hardened and in MW shape as I called it...! Good luck everyone
Wow! Thank you for this. Full of valuable information for anyone considering this hike. I appreciate you taking the time to do this and for watching. ~ Anthony
I'm an old hiker. I used to run in to people like this all of the time. This guy really lucked out. Here is my tip before you attempt to summit Whitney as a day hike; Get some experience! Hike the longest, roughest, nastiest, steepest trails that you can find, and pre-acclimatize! 14,500 feet is no joke, and staying 1 short night at the trailhead will not be enough, especially if you're starting from sea level. If you're in SoCal, you can day hike San Gorgonio a week or 2 before. It's 11,500 ft. A Baldy, via Bear Canyon, and San Jacinto, from Humber Pk., day hike leading up to that will get you ready for Gorgonio. If any of these hikes are hard for you to manage, don't attempt Whitney at all. As you can see here, it is some serious shit. I've summited 8 times total over the years, and I've day hiked the Moutaineers Route twice. I've always over-trained, and pre-acclimatized. It's important if you want to summit and then get down safely. It's a very, very long day and will test your stamina to it's limit, and maybe beyond! Also, Trekking Poles have straps on the grips for a reason, use them, or you could lose them!
@@runningformybestlife I was hoping that you didn't think I was being a dick. I really am an old hiker dude, and I really have seen some shit over the years, trust me. I'm fortunate that the mountains that I mentioned in SoCal have always been relatively near to me, and I've been hiking them since the early 70's, as well as in the Sierras. I know that others might not have a few nice 10, and 11,000ers near to them to prepare for a Whitney hike. I understand. Pre-acclimatizing is so important, esp if you're attempting a one day round trip. About the trekking poles; I once saw a heavily laden backpacker lose his $250 Leki's while crossing a raging Meysan Creek. He wasn't wearing the straps. I felt bad for him. He was solo, and his pack was huge. I still have my beat up 20yo Leki Makalus. I never hit the trail without them! Be safe and smart!
I live at 9300’, in Colorado, and have already hiked some out in Utah, will be doing some hikes here, and hopefully, I can do longs peak before Whitney on august 5th.
Wow Anthony, I just got done watching your video. I’m actually sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking about you and your journey. This past February, I took my son with me to hike to the top of upper Yosemite falls. It’s only about a seven or 8 mile hike with almost 3000 feet of elevation gain, but it was in the snow and ice. Because of the conditions, it took us about 10 hours, and that last part was in the dark with our headlamps. I can’t imagine doing that hike alone, but there were times when it got really sketchy and I was worried for my son. I was so happy to see you reach the summit. Then all of a sudden your video goes dark and you talk about how late it’s getting. And how no one has heard from you. I just started weeping thinking about it. Thinking about how worried your family must’ve been and the fact that your wife was in the car waiting for you. There’s so many things that can go wrong on a hike that magnitude with all the loose rocks and ruggedness and fatigue. I’m just so grateful that you made it and shared this video with us. It’s definitely a reminder to understand your limits and never go alone and that it’s OK to turn around at any point during the hike and decide you’ll do it again another day. No shame there. Again, thank you for the video. It brought back a lot of good memories of hikes I’ve taken. But reminded me to be prepared when I take on my next challenges. God bless you, sir.
Oh my goodness! This comment made my day! 😀Thank you so much, Anthony. It makes my heart happy to learn when one of my creations brings value to others. Loved that this was able to help you reminisce on your adventure with your son. I am so glad to hear it worked out. For a while, I said I would not do this again, but I am starting to get the itch to give it another go. This time with a group and definitely prepare for it more seriously. Haha Thank you so much for watching. Cheering you on from afar ~ Anthony
My respect for you and your determination. It’s never a good or bad decision- it is always a lesson learned. Thank you for tour transparency and bravery! Love your post
Oh wow! Thank you so much. This made my day. I really appreciate that. Yes, that trip definitely taught me some wonderful lessons. Looking forward to trying it again one day.🤗 Be on the lookout for a reaction video in July I’ll be doing in honor of its upcoming one year anniversary.😀👍
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I summited about 3 weeks ago and if it wasn't for my friend, I probably would have passed out and fallen asleep. I was exhausted! Its a tough mountain to climb especially the altitude. Thanks again, God continue to bless you.
CONGRATULATIONS on surviving that behemoth!! I’m so glad you made it back safely. I totally underestimated it. I know for next time to be better prepared. I’m sure there was a lotta snow when you went up there I’m assuming. That would definitely add to the challenge. Did you also do it in one day? ~ Anthony
Did this day hike in 2020. Almost didn't get to because Covid shutdowns, then there was an earthquake that displaced boulders on the trail, then the week i was there, was amidst fires. It was an amazing day. Magical would best describe it. The partners you choose are critical. I agree with a previous comment that if you have not summited by noon-1:00pm, you need to consider a turn around. When you showed the video from Trail Camp, and i could see the "Needles" in the background, i thought "Man, you are still a long way from the top." When we set out, my main goal was to only have to wear a headlamp ONCE. You need to be on that trail by 3-4 am at the latest. Leaving the summit by 1pm for best results. What good is it to be surrounded by all that beauty when you cant see it. So glad you were able to salvage the trip and get out safe. Not everyone is so fortunate. *One of the reasons to be at the top by noon is- the Air Force Base is not far away, and they are known to "buzz" the peak in fighter jets. So cool.
Wow! I didn’t know that about the fighter jets. I’d love to have seen that. Glad you had a good trip. Definitely learned a lot from that “adventure”. I appreciate you for watching and your feedback. ~ Anthony
I've been to the top 3 times and another 2 I had to quit and go down because conditions were very sketchy. I find that 4 days on trail is better. First night at the Portal, second night at Outpost camp third at trail camp. That next day get up at 3-4 am to summit before the winds start. After you summit come back to trail camp spend the night and hike back to the Portal rested and ready for one of their famous burgers and a beer! Glad you made it back man! you may not have made it if you had not kept moving! P.S. One thing to ad to your list is ALWAYS ask the forest rangers for trail conditions BEFORE you go. And invest in a In-Reach or some kind of SOS signaling device.
Thanks Eric for sharing! Sounds like youvye experienced both the ups and downs(no pun intended) of that behemoth. I think a 4 day trip is a wise choice. I may have to do that if I decide to take it on again. A few others also mentioned the In-Reach. Will definitely have to invest in that. Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.🙏😀
I came to watch this after seeing our 2020 highlights video. This was definitely a highlight. Glad you came back safe. You're right. Family and relationships are what is important. Not goals or views. I'm sure you already knew that but when an experience like this happens it makes them even more important than ever.
Oh definitely. Whenever I start concerning myself about those things I think back to this experience and remind myself what is important. I look forward to doing it again, but with a group and overnight. haha Thanks for checking it out. :)
Anthony, wow, Wow, WOW! I still remain impressed by your fortitude to push through. One of my biggest issues when mountain hiking is the embarrassment of being helivaced out.. and I assure you there have been a number of times I've been close to needing it! Still, I thank YOU and your family for letting us join you on your journey of a lifetime. I know there will be more challenges for you. There's no stopping you. You've definitely got the bug! As for your family... they haven't seen the last of your adventures. In much admiration, your fan, Brenda.
Brenda Avadian oh my goodness Brenda!! You are the best. I absolutely loved your various thoughts throughout the segment of the video you watched. Your welcome. It was my pleasure sharing it.❤️
@@runningformybestlife :-) Big SMILE for you and your family, Anthony. I hope your ankle is healing fast. I am inspired to do Mt. Whitney in September of next year. Let's see how life unfolds. Letting you know in case you want to do it again. I may do Mt. Langley instead - just to the south. Another 14er at 14,034. In fact, Mt. Langley will be my back-up plan if I don't get a Mt. Whitney permit for Sept 2021.
Thank you for sharing the realities. I’ll be there in august via the JMT, starting there going northbound and but coming up from Horseshoe Meadows and the PCT. I’ve been training since I got the permit, but can’t get high until the snow melts. This was such a good video. You started so confident, prepared and enjoying your day up. I truly didn’t know what to expect other than something as your title left a bit of a clue. Ive night hiked before because of a wrong trail situation and though the trail was in excellent condition, I was going miles down steep terrain and when I came to a place I could camp, I collapsed and could barely set my tent up, never mind dinner, and I wasn’t even injured. Kudos to you. Perhaps you could try another spectacular Sierra mountain pass, not as steep, but just as beautiful for your next adventure.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate that. I went in there extremely confident and it humbled me. Even though it didn’t go as planned it was a great experience for the next time I try a hike like that. Thanks for watching and commenting! ~ Anthony
Wow, what an adventure! So happy you got through and back safely, it is amazing how easily getting lost can happen, I can relate somewhat had a similar adventure several years ago with a small group we had to get search and rescue to get us out once we found a spot where we could get a weak signal. The information you share from your experience is so valuable, nothing like the voice of experience to help others. The views you captured were amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us Anthony! Enjoy your weekend with your loved ones 🙏
Running For My Best Life Yes we were fortunate to make it right at the brink of darkness. We really thought we would be spending the night in the woods, And we were not dressed for a Canadian fall night. It was at Mount Tremblant in Quebec. I suppose we can both say we have someone watching over us with loving kindness😇 have a great week Anthony!
Wow 5 times. That is a bad ankle sprain. They say that sometimes a twisted ankle is worse than a broken one. It's amazing that you were able to push through that. I've seen people who have twisted their ankle much less then that and they call it quits for like a month smh. You have a great mentality 👏🏾
Whitney tips for beginning hikers : Beginning hikers should not be attempting Whitney. Get experience elsewhere on a simpler trail. Approach Whitney in stages - don't try to defeat it in one visit. Hike the non-permit section first (to Lone Pine Lake). Next acquire a permit for a day, and hike to a pre-determined destination such as Mirror Lake or Trail Camp. Trail Camp is 12,000 ft, and a difficult day-hike by itself. Each time you will get a feel for the physical requirements of the trail. When you finally determine to summit, nothing will be a surprise, and you will be prepared physically and mentally. I visited Whitney for several consecutive years before deciding to summit. During that time I was also hiking other lesser mountains to condition my legs and acclimate to high altitude. My first summit attempt was successful with no unpleasant surprises or mishaps (apart from some rainy weather, which should not be a surprise). I did all of this alone. Whitney is not a scary or exceptionally difficult trail - it is simply long and arduous. For my 4th and final summit, I took a friend who was a beginner. We spent a year prior conditioning on all the hikes I did to prepare. She did fine and summited ahead of me, and in better condition.
WONDERFUL!!! So many great nuggets of wisdom here. Thank you so much for providing those for the community. I appreciate you for watching and taking the time to write this. ~Anthony
@@hyenaswine Start time depends on your pace. 4 am worked perfect for me. I reached Lone Pine Lake at day break, thus completing the familiar part of the trail in the dark. The rest of the hike I could see and enjoy the scenery. I summit around noon and spend 40 mins. on the summit. That leaves 7 hours of daylight to go down. I still have time to grab some dinner at a restaurant in town before 9pm. That makes for a 16 hr day hike, which is a little longer than average.
Glad you made it! Had to laugh, "I don't know whether I'll be using these..."... Hiking sticks are a necessity/Godsend for any hike, especially one as arduous as this. I'm sure you ended up grateful to have the one left!
My husband and I summitted Mt. Whitney 5 times. First time, we did it in two days, overnighting at Outpost. The second time, we did it in 3 days, overnighting at Outpost, second night at Trailside and day 3, pushed to the top then back to Trailside to pack our tents and hike out. Third time, we did it in 2 days again. And the last two times, we hiked it in one. It really took us those first three trips to know what we were getting into and train hard to be able to do it in one day. Kudos to you getting to the top and out again in one trip. But I would add a couple of tips to your list: If you haven’t made it to the top by 1:00 PM, seriously consider turning around. No goal is worth dying for. Tip number two: always carry aspirin with you. Not so much for pain relief but to dilate your blood vessels and allow more oxygen to reach your brain (and tired muscles). Tip number 3: always carry a couple of tablets of Niacin (B3) with you. Weather is unpredictable on high mountains and if it turns freezing cold suddenly, the Niacin can give you a flush of heat that can help you keep moving. Stay safe.
Wow!! What a journey you guys went through. Love that you kept at it. Sounds like you guys are experts now. Fantastic! Love those additional tips. Those will be a big help for those thinking of doing it. Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching. ~ Anthony
Thank you for this video! It brought back memories of my solo trip about 25 years ago, when I had a similar experience. I came up the mountaineer's route, and down the main trail. I didn't summit until after 5:00 pm, and it was October. The effects of the exertion and altitude and lack of oxygen results in some disorientation. I lost a glove a couple miles from the summit and lost my map after I came down the switchbacks, which I had to negotiate by moonlight. I too got off trail twice in the dark. The second time I found myself at Lone Pine Lake, but I did not know where I was because I lost my map. Around 1:00 am I decided to bivouac at the lake with no tent. In the morning I found the main trail and made it back to my car safely. But my poor wife was so worried when she did not hear from me and called for a search, which was just about to start when I finally called her the next morning. That experience led me to rethink some of my solo trips, because I did not want to put my family through that again. Be safe out there!
Whoa!! What a scary experience! Sheesh, that's crazy that you were able to keep going on by moonlight. I remember turning off my headlamp at times and it being pitch dark. Yeah, it definitely humbled me for sure. I will never again take on a mountain hike solo. Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Incredible.
Hi Anthony. Thanks for your video, I really liked it. I would like to get to the top of Mt. Whitney some day. I did a lot of backpacking when I was 40 with my wife. I am now 72. She can no longer backpack. I would like to hike to the top, but I have no one crazy enough to do it with me. I appreciate your desire to be part of a group. It certainly is safer and less lonely. What I would really like to do is start in Yosemite and come down from the north. 200+ miles. John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Probably over a month's time. I have to get into a lot better aerobic shape than I'm currently in. The farthest trip I did was the 50 mile West Coast trail in Vancouver, CA. Also 5 days - 30 miles through the Grand Canyon. Neither of those have any altitude problems. Slogging up the Grand Canyon 7 miles with a 40 lb pack was a drudge, but really not all that hard. Plenty of H20 was the key to that. It was 95 degrees. We also spent 5 days in the Wind River Mts in Wyoming. That was a bit tough with a 60 lb. pack. We brought heavy clothing and needed every stitch of it! The Wind Rivers are notorious for nasty weather and we survived an ice storm at 9,500 ft during the night. In the morning there was a sheet of ice covering our tent. But I recommend the Wind Rivers as the scenery is unbelievably spectacular and not many people get up there. I did run into a little bit of heart palpitations at 10,000 ft. I had done strength and endurance training before I hiked up there. But with Whitney at 14,500+ ft, I would think the altitude would be more of a problem. I need to do a lot of aerobic training. I hear that is the best thing to do to prepare for high altitude hiking. Also that is one reason I would want to start in the North. It would give me a month to acclimate. I am seriously impressed that you got to the top of Whitney and back in one day - that's 44 miles! Yikes! Awesome! I am so glad you put in the timing it took in your video. What time did you start back down? I also have been caught by the dark descending a mountain and it certainly ups the stress level. Its dangerous. Bless the Lord you caught up with another group. I always take 2 headlamps + batteries on a hike now. My wife and I led a family group down from a mountain once in the dark. The poor children were crying. I led the group with my headlamp and my wife headed up the rear. At one point I walked right off the trail into the brush. My wife yelled at me that I went off trail and I followed her voice to get back. After 2 hours we finally got back to the parking lot without any injuries. There was a ranger there who said:"Thank God you found these people and got them down. I didn't really want to start a search and rescue in the dark. You were my last hope." Yes - we all need to help each other.
Wow!!! Such beautiful stories here Mando. I am so sorry for the lateness of this response. Sounds like you and your wife have had some amazing adventures. So happy to hear you guys were able to help out that family. I started heading back down at 4pm. Waaaay too late. One of the scariest experiences of my life and I am so thankful that I found that group of hikers. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful comment. ~ Anthony
My altitude hiking experience was running the Pikes Peak Ascent trail race four times. It’s 13 miles and 8,000 feet elevation change to the top. Then there’s a sweet bus ride back to Manitou Springs. I trained hard, enough to run a marathon, and traveled to Colorado a few days early to acclimatize by driving the highway to the top a couple of times and taking acetazolamide to help my blood chemistry. Exercise at altitude is no joke. So I sympathize. Hiking with a buddy is a great insurance policy against getting injured and needing help. Hindsight is 20/20.
Hi Anthony. Great achievement. Keep on hiking, its great for your heart and health. Perhaps a GPS might help for some hikes if you lose your sense if direction, although you've probably learned enough about this hike to not need it if you decide to do it again. Thanks for a great video.
Yeah, I have heard that suggestion many times, but always a good reminder. Thank you for the kind words. It was an experience I will never forget. Still on the fence if I will do it again. Thanks for watching. ~ Anthony
Beautiful views leading to mirror lake. Thank you, Anthony for taking time to shoot and then produce and share this video with us while we sit in the comfort of our homes. I am still inspired by your solo trek. I am also inspired by your different video shoots - which means, you had to return to pick up your camera (ref: ~ 8:30 mark). What? No food for the marmot? LOL (I never feed them otherwise, they'll be a nuisance.) Your appetite is much better than mine. You say, "I'll stop and have a sandwich." I typically eat very little as I don't have the appetite and digesting takes energy away from my hiking. Ahhh, we're each so different. Hey, no gloves for The Cables? OUCH! Okay. I'll continue watching from 13 minutes to hear about the "hard lesson" you learned. Again, thank you, Anthony for such a cool video and for sharing it with us.
Brenda Avadian you’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far. Those marmots are all over. Cute little guys. 😀 Yeah, stopping to get my camera a few times definitely slowed me down. Haha
In April 1987 (I was 35 years old) I climbed to the base of the cables on Half Dome. I left the Valley around 1:30 pm and reached the base of the cables at 4:00 PM. Descended very quickly and reached the Valley at 5:00 pm. Three months later I was on my quest to climb Mt. Whitney. On July 3, 1987, I left Whitney Portal at 6:00 AM on a beautiful cloudless sky with warm temperatures. I hiked with an ice axe and I was able to summit at 3:00 pm. I left the summit at 3:30 pm and I thought I would descend very quickly but it took me five and a half hours reaching Whitney Portal at 9:00 pm. I'm 71 years old now and I marvel at watching people attempt Mt Whitney in a day's hike at my accomplishment.
I think your watch was lying to you on your descent from Half Dome. That is 7-8 miles with treacherous rock steps - running is both difficult and insanely dangerous. No way one could make that trip down in 1 hour and live.
@@aliensoup2420 I slept in on Thursday, April 16, 1987. Went to the Yosemite cafeteria around noon. Started to hike on what I thought would be an easy walk up to Vernal Falls. I traveled light and hiked with Reebook sneakers. I kept hiking until I reached what is now called Sub Dome by 3 pm. Stayed about 30 minutes and started my walk down. After getting off the route up to Sub Dome, which is rocky, the trial was soft dirt covered with pine needles. I was even surprised how quickly I descended. Reach the Valley well before sunset, which was 7:30 pm. There was more than an hour of daylight left. Given how quickly I descended off Half Dome, when I did Mt Whitney from 6 am to 9 pm, I thought that I could descend rather quickly, but with so many rocky steps to step down on, it took my 5.5 hours. Again, I traveled very light and in Reebok sneakers.
Anthony, so glad you made it back safely. Hey, I've been to Whitney three times, summitted twice and pulled a hammy the other time. It was bad news. Next time you should consider two days. One night at Trail camp. This way you can take your time, enjoy the scenery and relieve yourself of added stress.
Hi Joe! Yes, that is exactly what I would want to do if I decide to do it again. Sorry to hear about that hamstring injury, but it sounds like you learned a lot from your experiences. Thanks for the sharing.
I did the same thing and hiked Whitney in a day solo. I left early and did not get injured but it was exhausting and a very long day. Glad you made it back safely.
Robert Turner thank you! Yes, me and my family are also glad. My wife so worried she sobbed her eyes out when I finally got back. Congratulations on completing it and thank you for taking the time to comment.👍
Hey Anthony! It’s Leah. Finally watched, and I absolutely got teary eyed a few times. So glad you made it back safe, and glad I got to take that hilarious picture. The views, by the way, were amazing.
slaygal333 Awww I’m glad you liked it. It was so cool spending the weekend with you. That picture is awesome. One of my favs. Btw, slaygal? What’s the story behind that? Lol
Hi. That a beautiful views i loce the stream with the small bridge that good you bring all you need .. yes walkt talky that big help alot so that you have contack oh still dark but that good so that you have a lot ofbtime to hike.. honestly i realy love mother nature the jungles a lots of trees .. rocks m. Mountains oh this is my fun . Thank you for your time to share this video i injoy watching.m
Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. I really appreciate that you took the time to watch and leave a comment. It was definitely a beautiful adventure. ~ Anthony
I went up there June 20th 2019. There was was so much more snow and ice. Amazing to see it with much less. I went up from the PCT side which had its own challenges.
Whoa, really?! I was shocked by all the snow I saw in July. I actually met a guy at the top that came from the PCT side. If my memory serves me right, he was on like a month long excursion and the top of Whitney was one of his stops. But I was a bit foggy when I got there so I might be wrong. Haha Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Yes, I am very thankful that I did also. I will definitely be going with a group the next time I take it on. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
I think you've perhaps learned what to many can be a surprising lesson- coming down is often far far harder than going up. I was immediately alarmed when you said it was as late as 4pm when you reached the summit. If you can remember where you missed the trail coming down, I would report it to the park authorities with a suggestion for signage in.those places. I'm from the UK and when I climbed our highest mountain (Ben Nevis) it took me four hours to get to the top, but five gruelling hours to get back down. And this mountain is only just over 4000 ft high! Like Mount Whitney is has a marked well defined path to the top. But please don't beat yourself up for wanting to make this climb. As for your good advice at the end of the video, I would add one thing- practice on some lower, easier mountains before tackling Mount Whitney.
This mountain definitely humbled me. I did only a few hikes prior to this, but assuming since I have done multiple marathons beforehand would make that hike easier was a huge mistake. Lesson learned for sure. I haven't been back since, but I am hoping the trail is clearly visible now. I did this shortly after thy had an earthquake and a lot of the trail had debris. Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to watch and comment. Truly appreciated. ~ Anthony
My son and I climbed her in the Fall of 2018 with a stay at Trail Camp. Lowlanders, so he got pretty altitude sick midway along the Crest and we had to turn back with the Surveyor’s Cabin in sight. It may not be Everest, but it demands respect.
Hey Mark. Thanks for sharing your experience. Oh man, I am sorry to hear about your son. I ran into a guy suffering through that on the way up. He was not looking good, but he made it with the constant pushing of his buddy. Do you think you will ever try it again? Yes, a HUGE amount of respect! I appreciate the comment. Anthony
I can't believe how beautiful the scenery is! I love the east coast woodlans and the Appalachians, but WOW - I need to get out your way! Keep the amazing footage coming! And be careful out there!
Yeah, there are a lot of treasures out here. It was definitely an adventure I’ll never forget. Definitely want to do it again, with a group this time of course.😀😂
Nice video! Glad you made it back safe. Never do a hike as this one alone. Training to hike Mt Whitney next year. I’m going with seven other ladies in my group. Thank you for all your tips.
I definitely learned the hard way! Haha. I’m o glad you enjoyed this video. Your feedback means so much to me.😀 Good luck on your hike. Are you also going to do it in one day?
I’m over in Simi, getting into trail running, converting over from hiking. Whitney is no joke, it is more time spent at high altitude than any other local training hike (Jacinto, Baldy, Grogonio, Langley, White). I failed my first attempt, I tried a 38 mile backside route with 26 mi first day to Guitar Lake. I actually had to go up to trail crest and go down w/o summiting lol. I went back a month later and did it in a day the normal way. Now that I am doing the ultra training I am curious how I would do in a day and perhaps my first failed route in a day as well.
Thanks for sharing. I am curious also. Funny you mention this, because while I was hiking I remember a few guys running back down as I was going up. One of them stopped and chatted for minute. All he had was running shorts on and a little bottle of water. He said he runs up and down Whitney every week as a training run. I was blown away!!
@@runningformybestlife that is a person definitely experienced but also willing to take risk. I personally would never do Whitney w/o gear to survive the night if I broke an ankle. That means bigger water carries as well. I also always carry an inReach and text my wife at set check-ins, those text automatically include gps location automatically. This stuff is no joke, I met Bob Gregory while hiking Langley, spent the day talking to him, he was dead less than a year later going up Islip here in LA. If looking for a safe but mountainous run to train for, Kodiak ultramarathon 50k follows this general trail called Skyline (iirc) up in Big Bear, the trail is never far from a fire road and lots of bikers, 4x4’s, etc around. As long as there wasn’t snow it’d be fine. Lots of cell coverage but not 100%.
@@runningformybestlife only a bit, had an uncontrollable slide down the chute full of terror but I was able to come to a stop and down safely. Luckily didn’t hit any rocks. 😅 all else was smooth as butter during the hike.
Haha! I'm glad it came up. This video, as you see, was the biggest challenge to make, but so worth. it. I love the memories. It was a scary experience, but I learned a lot. It taught me to truly appreciate my loved ones. Did ya see the guy sleeping on the edge in the cable scene. Crazy! Thanks for checking this out. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
My tips for you, if you want to hike Mt Whitney. Train well at home. Get to Lone Pine early and do some acclimation hikes. Horseshoe Meadows and Lone Pine Lake are great hikes. And then do the hike in two days, not just one. Stay the night at Trailside Camp, leave your stuff there, and pack it up on they way out. This way, you will actually enjoy your hike, not just suffer through it.
Dude, congrats. It’s asking a lot from anyone to do Whitney in one day. I’ve climbed it about 7 times from 3 different directions, but NEVER as a 1 dayer. That came into fashion mostly when the hike got too popular and they had to start the lottery. But rolling an ankle on the downclimb ! That is cringeworthy, as was your photo of it. I’m glad you found your trail angels. There’s still good folks in the world.
Thank you for the kind words Charles and for watching. That ankle injury was definitely a product of me rushing. I should have took my time, but I was overthinking it. Wow. 7 times. That’s amazing! Maybe one day you do it one day. (Hopefully with a better experience than mine.🤣)
@@runningformybestlife 7 times but we’re talking over a couple decades. First time was senior year of high school (class of ‘71) last time was when a slightly older glider pilot friend of mine tuned 60 (11yrs ago).
*Great videos with great content as always... :) Love the content that you are putting out my friend. Never stop sharing to impact more lives. Don't forget the fact that we are together in this game to help each other to grow*
Back in the 1990's, I hiked Whitney three times and made it to the Summit all three. Each time, we would camp first at Outpost camp. Wake up at 5 am, and go for the Summit. My friend got Altitude sickness the first time, and I had to summit alone. The same friend made it the second and third time with me. Its really important to "acclimate" to the altitude and camp either at Whitney portal for a night then maybe camp at Outpost camp. it does help. I am curious how the trail has changed if much since the 1990's. There was a recent earthquake and rock slide that happened... if you GOOGLE it you'll see it. Scary stuff!!!! I didn't even think of the that when being up there. Ignorance is Bliss sometimes. Be safe!
What a beautiful share that was. Thank you so much for that. I went up there about a month after the rockslide and there was a lot of rocks on the trail. I pretty sure that's why I sprained my ankle. Being in a hurry and not paying attention. Are you going to do it again? When I do, I am definitely going to go with a group and camp overnight like you guys did. I want to make up for this experience.
YES!! DEFINITELY! I was so happy to see that footprint. Plus, they were sooo freaking nice. My wife was very thankful for them. Thanks for watching! Have you done that hike?
@@runningformybestlife Oh, No! I am not a hiker at all and at my age of 67, I don't think I will ever be. That's why I admire those of you who are adventurous. We are planning an RV trip along the 395 in May and just researching what we should do on that route. Came upon your video and what a find! Thanks again for sharing your incredible experience!
Such a wonderful channel, I watched your content and I have a BIG SMILE on my face. I immediately clicked the LIKE 👍 92 & 🔔🔔🔔. Take care and keep posting my dear friend! 💗💗
At the risk of sounding rude, I only have one thing to say to you. GARMIN! With a $100-$150 Garmin eTrex 10 or 20 or 30, you could have avoided getting lost and had no problems. Another safety device would have been a Zoleo or a Reach or some other personal location device or beacon. In the event another group was not around and you were stranded alone or injured you would be able to send out an emergency signal that sends rescue teams scrambling to rescue you. Zoleo is like $200 and Reach is a bit more but it's cheap insurance. Where did you start at? We usually start at Crescent Valley and then take a nice relaxing week to get to Whitney Portal. What you did would be a challenge for the most skilled backpackers. Glad you made it out safely but there are definitely ways to ensure your safety even when solo. Best wishes in your future endeavors!
Not rude at all. It's wonderful advice for anyone taking this on. I think a few others here in the comments had similar suggestions. I started from the Whitney Portal campsite. I haven't tried it again since, but if I ever decided to I will definitely get a satellite communicator, Thanks for watching and the feedback.
@@runningformybestlife Thanks for the reply. It is often when you give friendly advice that people think you are assassinating their character.... You did an amazing job getting up there. You made excellent time with no injuries, etc. Well done! Isn't it amazing how fast things go south without warning? It's hard to think of all scenarios possible and they are almost infinite! I also liked your use of the radio. How far did you radio? From the summit to Whitney Portal? That's pretty darn far if it was lol. I have a couple of 10 watt radios I think I'll try at some point. Well my friend, I do hope you try again without the dangers. Post it if you do, i'd love to see it!
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m thinking about trying this hike and you’ve provided such valuable information! Just curious, once you realized you were in trouble, why didn’t you use your garmin device to communicate with your family? I have a Garmin inReach and was happy when I saw you had one too. But it doesn’t seem like you used it? Thanks again and glad you made it back safely :-)
Hi Susy! Thanks for watching. I’m glad it has helped you in your personal journey. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a Garmin, I had some walks talkies where the signal was blocked by the mountain most of the time. Next time I would definitely invest in one of those. Let me know how it goes if you try it out. ~ Anthony
Not sure if "more the merrier" is always the best. The more people go, the more likely at least one person is going to have issues. It could be altitude sickness, sprains, falls. Two or three might be best.
This is so amazing! I would love to hike up there! How was you acclimatization to the altitude? I know I start feeling it at around 12-5 if I haven't been at higher elevations before the hike! That was such an inspiring story you told at the end. You are 100% right about needing to leave early for the summit. I am so glad you were fine!
Hi Robbie! Thanks for checking this out. The only symptom I may have had was some brain fog. While on the summit and the top I felt like I couldn't think straight and actually had a hard time finding the trail to head back down. Next time I will definitely leave a bit earlier and with a group. Thanks again for checking this out. I look forward to growing together.
Hiked it twice at age 62 and 65. Over prepare, Train like crazy with a full backpack or a weight vest. Take lots of food but watch out for the marmots. Acclimate by a couple of easy day hikes at cottonwood pass or the bristlecone pine forest. Take a water filter device with electrolyte tabs. Wear a hat with a brim and long sleeves. Wear work gloves. For sure, go with a group and do it over two days. Take your time and enjoy the views. Then hit Vegas on the way home!
Clandestine Hi. I used the Midland XT. I would definitely use a Satellite Communicator next I do it. Here is a link to a great guide. hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hikes-around-mt-whitney/mt-whitney-hike/amp/
@@runningformybestlife I purchased a Garmin Inreach GPS map 66i and it is not a watch. This has the two way text messaging available for the Iridium satellite network. My wife can see where I am in pretty much real time as long as she has access to the internet. Here is a link to what I have buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/623975 and it provides excellent two way text messaging plus an excellent mapping capability.
This, money well spent. I bought a 66i first, it has InReach capability and was great, but turned out to be overkill for almost all of my trips. I bought a Mini 2 before I did Whitney last month, and it is amazing. In addition to the weight savings, you can message directly between devices. The idea was to leave the 66i with my wife the portal campground so that I could keep in touch while I had my solo. It worked fantastic. The other thing I did was setup a MapShare page for anyone who was interested to watch the hike online, which also worked out.
I've done it 6 times and never got easier. The last time I did it in a day. I started at 1 am and finished at 8 pm. People underestimate the effects of altitude or how strenuous it is of a hike. On one trip I actually met a person trying to do this hike in cowboy boots!! This is a wilderness hike and if you become incapacitated from injury or illness it will take hours for a rescue party to reach you even if you have a PLB.
Thank you so much for sharing and watching. I truly appreciate it. Next time I do it, I’m definitely going to leave earlier. When we were coming back I saw folks leaving at midnight. Wow! Cowboy boots!? That crazy. I wonder if that person made to the top safely.
@@runningformybestlife Now you know what to expect. I always hike with a space blanket, first aid kit with ace wrap. I always find someone with scrapes or sprained ankles, or sitting in poison oak.
Head to REI for all the equipment needs for your Mount Whitney journey! alnk.to/h6Dhb4D And if this video brought you value, click here to SUBSCRIBE!👇😀 th-cam.com/users/RunningForMyBestLife
I appreciate the feedback. This was one of my first videos, so I was still very new to filming. I hope my volume levels are much better in my newer vids.😂 Thanks for watching and commenting. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. If you haven’t already please subscribe to my channel. Thanks Anthony
Your big mistake was not properly determining your hiking pace. You took too much time going up. You must be able to approximate your time up and down to determine a reliable turn-around time from the summit. Typical turn-around time on Whitney is between 12 - 1:30 pm. That also accommodates the afternoon rainstorms that regularly blow in. If you want to take a more casual relaxed pace up the mountain, you must leave earlier in the morning. This is why 1st timers should hike the trail in stages to determine their pace and time on the trail. Then you can reliably determine a safe start time. Your rush to the bottom is probably what caused your mishaps. Except for the length of time you took to the summit, your trip up was flawless. You should have started at 1 or 2 am.
Completely agree!! Great advice to those trying it for the first time. I remember some folks turning around saying they didn't get to where they wanted to in time. At the time, I didn't understand. A few hours later I did. Thank you so much for watching and for providing some wisdom.
You're a lucky dude. The mountains are not something to take lightly. Mt Whitney should be a two day hike. Wear boots that have ankle support. Take shelter. Use a map. Satellite communication is a must for major hikes.
I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely try to get better shots next time. By the time I got up there all I was concerned about was getting back down before it got too late.
Well, (I suspect that is a personal call- more than the hand of God touching a shoulder kinda thing. Have been to the top twice in '87 and my take on the view, panoramically, was it was okay but along the trail many areas offered far more spectacular sights.(to me) The shelter and signing the summits sign-in-sheet was memorial and having pics/video perhaps of plaques and inside the shelter were more to remember later and document the moment to me, but honestly my take was not a breathtaking sight as you might think once you reach the top and see the Owens Valley floor off in the distance and only as far as weather conditions permits in each direction. The hike and the personal accomplishment of summiting (just at the top...seemed my thing...seeing the shelter and signing that register was my reward at the top) ...no Chock-full of Nuts can with a friends cremated remains secretly stashed away in a rock crevice at Whitney's peak or a momentous family photo, or a loved one suffering or passed on perhaps preserved under a stone. But at the end after the moment passes and time elapses it still is what was in the hiker's heart. Told later is like passing a baton in a relay race with meaning and purpose and how that next person will carry it to do likewise and maybe pass it onto another...thus legends grow and are told of something significant Anthony's Whitney hike meant a lot as he stirred this conversation comment as to why, to me, it was a good Summit. And had he not would make it no less. Said coming from a man who was there on that peak and now gets it 35 years later. The climber and the climb is in the heart of the person who felt it was important. And that works for me. It is what measures and marks who we all are. At the peak of all Whitney peaks we summit in life. 2 pics, one pic, no pics or perhaps a 60min narrated video that is shared later. Maybe you are right. But I think Anthony got all he needed at Whitney's Summit. If not sure he'll be back. 😅
I applaud you for attempting this climb and your success. I hope you dont take this personally but your ascent time was VERY slow. What kind of shape were you in ? Judging by your videos your breathing seemed better than normal/average and your overall demeanor seemed that you werent stressed or overly tired. I have seen people on that trial in bad condition and hurting. However 12 hours for the ascent would rank you close to the slowest of all people who climb Whitney in a day. An average time is around 6 hours, "fast" is 4 hours and "slow" would be around 8-9 hours.
Why on Earth would I take that personally!? That might be the nicest comment I have ever read!!🙄 You’re too kind to remind of how slow I was. But guess what. I...DID...IT!💪 I’m curious, how long did it take you to climb it?
@@runningformybestlife I've climbed Whitney 4 times. 2 times were via the Whitney trail, 1 time via Mountaineers route and one time via East Face. For the Whitney trail first time I took 7:15 up and 5 : 20 minutes down. Second time I took 6:30 up and 5:30 down.
Brother did anybody ever tell you that you look like the deceased mountain climber ueli scteck , sounds like ullie steck. Peace bro, I summited whitney twice one on the standard route and the other on mountaineer route, both solo and same day
Hey Bob. No, I haven't heard that, but after looking him up just now, I can see the resemblance. Sorry to read what happened to him. Congrats on your successful attempts. What advice would you offer others? Thanks for watching. ~ Anthony
What a cluster f**k! NOT impressed. Done it 4 times without a problem, returning well before dark. The trail is well-maintained and obvious. You have to try really hard to get lost. If you're in shape and use good judgement and common sense, this is one of the easiest 14 thousanders. An obvious beginner like this should at least take someone along who knows what they're doing. Also, spending one night at 8,000 feet isn't going to do anything to help you acclimatize. At least he didn't trigger a rescue that put others in danger.
Haha yeah, I know. I totally underestimated that goliath. Lesson learned. Thanks for watching. Sorry for the late reply. Hectic couple of weeks. ~ Anthony
very interesting video. FWIW, here are my thoughts as a guy who first climbed MW at age 49 and climbed it 12 times, 10 of which were day hikes. The keys to a successful day hike of MW are (1) to get in superb hiking condition, (2) acclimate a min of 4 nights at 8,200+elevation, and (3rd), stay hydrated... I did this by living in San Diego and day hiking San Jacinto (16 miles), San Gorgonio (19) miles and hiking Baldy often. Also it helps to be experienced with high altitude, previous to MW, I skied every year at Mammoth and Colorado resorts, I have spent a lot of time above 10,000' exercising hard...Before my first MW summit I did San Jacinto 5x in 5 weeks, in addition to climbing the local 500' hill from 3 directions to make it a 1,500' hill. There is absolutely no substitute for putting in the time and effort to hike as many 10,000' high mountains as possible. Not once or twice, I would do them 5-8x before MW. San Gorgonio is a good proxy for MW, if you have any problems with SG, don't try MW. Second, you must acclimate, that doesn't mean sit in the Portal for a few nights. Better to go to Mammoth at 8,200', spend the day climbing Mammoth and hanging out at the summit at 11,053", panoramic views, food, bathrooms and a gondola ride down. Stay in Mammoth for 3 nights, then spend the 4th night at the Portal. Finally, be sure to have your water pump ready and stay hydrated. Two more tips...bring diamox and the day before the hike, take a half a pill. On the actual hike, when you get to Trail Camp, take another 1/2 diamox. When I would summit, I would take 1/2 an Excedrin Migraine, that helped ward off the headache that comes on the descent. I would NOT start at 1am, you need all the sleep you can get, I would go to sleep at 800pm and awake at 3am, depart the Portal at 4am, summit at 11am, down by 330-4pm. Starting at 1am will unnecessarily tire you out. If you can't day hike MW between 4am-6pm, then you shouldn't be trying. Final thought is hydration. You will get good at that after doing many prep hikes, experiment and find what works for you. And finally, this whole idea of "3 tips for beginners on MW" is foolish, beginners should not be on MW, don't even consider doing MW unless you have done enough prep work to be an intermediate hiker. So there you have it, the keys to a successful MW hike, it's really not that hard if you are hike hardened and in MW shape as I called it...! Good luck everyone
Wow! Thank you for this. Full of valuable information for anyone considering this hike. I appreciate you taking the time to do this and for watching.
~ Anthony
I'm an old hiker. I used to run in to people like this all of the time. This guy really lucked out. Here is my tip before you attempt to summit Whitney as a day hike; Get some experience! Hike the longest, roughest, nastiest, steepest trails that you can find, and pre-acclimatize! 14,500 feet is no joke, and staying 1 short night at the trailhead will not be enough, especially if you're starting from sea level. If you're in SoCal, you can day hike San Gorgonio a week or 2 before. It's 11,500 ft. A Baldy, via Bear Canyon, and San Jacinto, from Humber Pk., day hike leading up to that will get you ready for Gorgonio. If any of these hikes are hard for you to manage, don't attempt Whitney at all. As you can see here, it is some serious shit. I've summited 8 times total over the years, and I've day hiked the Moutaineers Route twice. I've always over-trained, and pre-acclimatized. It's important if you want to summit and then get down safely. It's a very, very long day and will test your stamina to it's limit, and maybe beyond! Also, Trekking Poles have straps on the grips for a reason, use them, or you could lose them!
Fantastic advice!!! Thank you! I sure wish I knew this before I took it on. Haha.
@@runningformybestlife I was hoping that you didn't think I was being a dick. I really am an old hiker dude, and I really have seen some shit over the years, trust me. I'm fortunate that the mountains that I mentioned in SoCal have always been relatively near to me, and I've been hiking them since the early 70's, as well as in the Sierras. I know that others might not have a few nice 10, and 11,000ers near to them to prepare for a Whitney hike. I understand. Pre-acclimatizing is so important, esp if you're attempting a one day round trip. About the trekking poles; I once saw a heavily laden backpacker lose his $250 Leki's while crossing a raging Meysan Creek. He wasn't wearing the straps. I felt bad for him. He was solo, and his pack was huge. I still have my beat up 20yo Leki Makalus. I never hit the trail without them! Be safe and smart!
I'm a beginner and will definitely be taking your advice
I live at 9300’, in Colorado, and have already hiked some out in Utah, will be doing some hikes here, and hopefully, I can do longs peak before Whitney on august 5th.
Got a permit to hike Whitney in June from SoCal and absolutely will be adding those two hikes to the training. Thank you for the advice!
Wow Anthony, I just got done watching your video. I’m actually sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking about you and your journey. This past February, I took my son with me to hike to the top of upper Yosemite falls. It’s only about a seven or 8 mile hike with almost 3000 feet of elevation gain, but it was in the snow and ice. Because of the conditions, it took us about 10 hours, and that last part was in the dark with our headlamps. I can’t imagine doing that hike alone, but there were times when it got really sketchy and I was worried for my son. I was so happy to see you reach the summit. Then all of a sudden your video goes dark and you talk about how late it’s getting. And how no one has heard from you. I just started weeping thinking about it. Thinking about how worried your family must’ve been and the fact that your wife was in the car waiting for you. There’s so many things that can go wrong on a hike that magnitude with all the loose rocks and ruggedness and fatigue. I’m just so grateful that you made it and shared this video with us. It’s definitely a reminder to understand your limits and never go alone and that it’s OK to turn around at any point during the hike and decide you’ll do it again another day. No shame there. Again, thank you for the video. It brought back a lot of good memories of hikes I’ve taken. But reminded me to be prepared when I take on my next challenges. God bless you, sir.
Oh my goodness! This comment made my day! 😀Thank you so much, Anthony. It makes my heart happy to learn when one of my creations brings value to others. Loved that this was able to help you reminisce on your adventure with your son. I am so glad to hear it worked out. For a while, I said I would not do this again, but I am starting to get the itch to give it another go. This time with a group and definitely prepare for it more seriously. Haha
Thank you so much for watching. Cheering you on from afar ~ Anthony
My respect for you and your determination. It’s never a good or bad decision- it is always a lesson learned. Thank you for tour transparency and bravery! Love your post
Oh wow! Thank you so much. This made my day. I really appreciate that. Yes, that trip definitely taught me some wonderful lessons. Looking forward to trying it again one day.🤗
Be on the lookout for a reaction video in July I’ll be doing in honor of its upcoming one year anniversary.😀👍
@@runningformybestlife Yes, determination, bravo.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I summited about 3 weeks ago and if it wasn't for my friend, I probably would have passed out and fallen asleep. I was exhausted! Its a tough mountain to climb especially the altitude. Thanks again, God continue to bless you.
CONGRATULATIONS on surviving that behemoth!! I’m so glad you made it back safely. I totally underestimated it. I know for next time to be better prepared.
I’m sure there was a lotta snow when you went up there I’m assuming. That would definitely add to the challenge. Did you also do it in one day? ~ Anthony
Did this day hike in 2020. Almost didn't get to because Covid shutdowns, then there was an earthquake that displaced boulders on the trail, then the week i was there, was amidst fires. It was an amazing day. Magical would best describe it. The partners you choose are critical. I agree with a previous comment that if you have not summited by noon-1:00pm, you need to consider a turn around.
When you showed the video from Trail Camp, and i could see the "Needles" in the background, i thought "Man, you are still a long way from the top."
When we set out, my main goal was to only have to wear a headlamp ONCE. You need to be on that trail by 3-4 am at the latest. Leaving the summit by 1pm for best results. What good is it to be surrounded by all that beauty when you cant see it.
So glad you were able to salvage the trip and get out safe. Not everyone is so fortunate.
*One of the reasons to be at the top by noon is- the Air Force Base is not far away, and they are known to "buzz" the peak in fighter jets. So cool.
Wow! I didn’t know that about the fighter jets. I’d love to have seen that.
Glad you had a good trip. Definitely learned a lot from that “adventure”. I appreciate you for watching and your feedback. ~ Anthony
I've been to the top 3 times and another 2 I had to quit and go down because conditions were very sketchy. I find that 4 days on trail is better. First night at the Portal, second night at Outpost camp third at trail camp. That next day get up at 3-4 am to summit before the winds start. After you summit come back to trail camp spend the night and hike back to the Portal rested and ready for one of their famous burgers and a beer! Glad you made it back man! you may not have made it if you had not kept moving!
P.S. One thing to ad to your list is ALWAYS ask the forest rangers for trail conditions BEFORE you go. And invest in a In-Reach or some kind of SOS signaling device.
Thanks Eric for sharing! Sounds like youvye experienced both the ups and downs(no pun intended) of that behemoth. I think a 4 day trip is a wise choice. I may have to do that if I decide to take it on again.
A few others also mentioned the In-Reach. Will definitely have to invest in that.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.🙏😀
Excellent advice for a beginner as me. Thank you.
I came to watch this after seeing our 2020 highlights video. This was definitely a highlight. Glad you came back safe. You're right. Family and relationships are what is important. Not goals or views. I'm sure you already knew that but when an experience like this happens it makes them even more important than ever.
Oh definitely. Whenever I start concerning myself about those things I think back to this experience and remind myself what is important. I look forward to doing it again, but with a group and overnight. haha
Thanks for checking it out. :)
Anthony, wow, Wow, WOW! I still remain impressed by your fortitude to push through. One of my biggest issues when mountain hiking is the embarrassment of being helivaced out.. and I assure you there have been a number of times I've been close to needing it! Still, I thank YOU and your family for letting us join you on your journey of a lifetime. I know there will be more challenges for you. There's no stopping you. You've definitely got the bug! As for your family... they haven't seen the last of your adventures. In much admiration, your fan, Brenda.
Brenda Avadian oh my goodness Brenda!! You are the best. I absolutely loved your various thoughts throughout the segment of the video you watched. Your welcome. It was my pleasure sharing it.❤️
@@runningformybestlife :-) Big SMILE for you and your family, Anthony. I hope your ankle is healing fast. I am inspired to do Mt. Whitney in September of next year. Let's see how life unfolds. Letting you know in case you want to do it again. I may do Mt. Langley instead - just to the south. Another 14er at 14,034. In fact, Mt. Langley will be my back-up plan if I don't get a Mt. Whitney permit for Sept 2021.
Brenda Avadian hmmm 🤔 I will have to think about that. Sounds interesting. Yes, it’s healing nicely. Hopefully just a few more days.
Thank you for sharing the realities. I’ll be there in august via the JMT, starting there going northbound and but coming up from Horseshoe Meadows and the PCT. I’ve been training since I got the permit, but can’t get high until the snow melts. This was such a good video. You started so confident, prepared and enjoying your day up. I truly didn’t know what to expect other than something as your title left a bit of a clue. Ive night hiked before because of a wrong trail situation and though the trail was in excellent condition, I was going miles down steep terrain and when I came to a place I could camp, I collapsed and could barely set my tent up, never mind dinner, and I wasn’t even injured. Kudos to you. Perhaps you could try another spectacular Sierra mountain pass, not as steep, but just as beautiful for your next adventure.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate that.
I went in there extremely confident and it humbled me. Even though it didn’t go as planned it was a great experience for the next time I try a hike like that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
~ Anthony
Wow, what an adventure! So happy you got through and back safely, it is amazing how easily getting lost can happen, I can relate somewhat had a similar adventure several years ago with a small group we had to get search and rescue to get us out once we found a spot where we could get a weak signal. The information you share from your experience is so valuable, nothing like the voice of experience to help others. The views you captured were amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us Anthony! Enjoy your weekend with your loved ones 🙏
Oh my goodness! Really? Where was that at?
You’re welcome. This one was definitely a fun one to make, for the most part. Haha
Running For My Best Life Yes we were fortunate to make it right at the brink of darkness. We really thought we would be spending the night in the woods, And we were not dressed for a Canadian fall night. It was at Mount Tremblant in Quebec. I suppose we can both say we have someone watching over us with loving kindness😇 have a great week Anthony!
Wow 5 times. That is a bad ankle sprain. They say that sometimes a twisted ankle is worse than a broken one. It's amazing that you were able to push through that. I've seen people who have twisted their ankle much less then that and they call it quits for like a month smh. You have a great mentality 👏🏾
Purpose Driven I had no choice. My wife and family need me. ❤️
@@runningformybestlife I love it
Whitney tips for beginning hikers : Beginning hikers should not be attempting Whitney. Get experience elsewhere on a simpler trail.
Approach Whitney in stages - don't try to defeat it in one visit. Hike the non-permit section first (to Lone Pine Lake). Next acquire a permit for a day, and hike to a pre-determined destination such as Mirror Lake or Trail Camp. Trail Camp is 12,000 ft, and a difficult day-hike by itself. Each time you will get a feel for the physical requirements of the trail. When you finally determine to summit, nothing will be a surprise, and you will be prepared physically and mentally. I visited Whitney for several consecutive years before deciding to summit. During that time I was also hiking other lesser mountains to condition my legs and acclimate to high altitude. My first summit attempt was successful with no unpleasant surprises or mishaps (apart from some rainy weather, which should not be a surprise). I did all of this alone. Whitney is not a scary or exceptionally difficult trail - it is simply long and arduous.
For my 4th and final summit, I took a friend who was a beginner. We spent a year prior conditioning on all the hikes I did to prepare. She did fine and summited ahead of me, and in better condition.
WONDERFUL!!! So many great nuggets of wisdom here. Thank you so much for providing those for the community. I appreciate you for watching and taking the time to write this. ~Anthony
Isn't 4am a bit late to start?
@hyenaswine yup!! Learned that the hard way as you saw.🤣
@@hyenaswine Start time depends on your pace. 4 am worked perfect for me. I reached Lone Pine Lake at day break, thus completing the familiar part of the trail in the dark. The rest of the hike I could see and enjoy the scenery. I summit around noon and spend 40 mins. on the summit. That leaves 7 hours of daylight to go down. I still have time to grab some dinner at a restaurant in town before 9pm. That makes for a 16 hr day hike, which is a little longer than average.
@@aliensoup2420 had you done it before?
Glad you made it! Had to laugh, "I don't know whether I'll be using these..."... Hiking sticks are a necessity/Godsend for any hike, especially one as arduous as this. I'm sure you ended up grateful to have the one left!
Very much so! Thankful I didn't lose both of them.
I'm glad you made it safe to your family. Something to learn before attempting to get hike done!!
Me too!! A humbling experience. I hope my journey helps you on yours. Have fun!
My husband and I summitted Mt. Whitney 5 times. First time, we did it in two days, overnighting at Outpost. The second time, we did it in 3 days, overnighting at Outpost, second night at Trailside and day 3, pushed to the top then back to Trailside to pack our tents and hike out. Third time, we did it in 2 days again. And the last two times, we hiked it in one. It really took us those first three trips to know what we were getting into and train hard to be able to do it in one day. Kudos to you getting to the top and out again in one trip. But I would add a couple of tips to your list: If you haven’t made it to the top by 1:00 PM, seriously consider turning around. No goal is worth dying for. Tip number two: always carry aspirin with you. Not so much for pain relief but to dilate your blood vessels and allow more oxygen to reach your brain (and tired muscles). Tip number 3: always carry a couple of tablets of Niacin (B3) with you. Weather is unpredictable on high mountains and if it turns freezing cold suddenly, the Niacin can give you a flush of heat that can help you keep moving. Stay safe.
Wow!! What a journey you guys went through. Love that you kept at it. Sounds like you guys are experts now. Fantastic!
Love those additional tips. Those will be a big help for those thinking of doing it. Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching. ~ Anthony
Thank you for this video! It brought back memories of my solo trip about 25 years ago, when I had a similar experience. I came up the mountaineer's route, and down the main trail. I didn't summit until after 5:00 pm, and it was October. The effects of the exertion and altitude and lack of oxygen results in some disorientation. I lost a glove a couple miles from the summit and lost my map after I came down the switchbacks, which I had to negotiate by moonlight. I too got off trail twice in the dark. The second time I found myself at Lone Pine Lake, but I did not know where I was because I lost my map. Around 1:00 am I decided to bivouac at the lake with no tent. In the morning I found the main trail and made it back to my car safely. But my poor wife was so worried when she did not hear from me and called for a search, which was just about to start when I finally called her the next morning. That experience led me to rethink some of my solo trips, because I did not want to put my family through that again. Be safe out there!
Whoa!! What a scary experience! Sheesh, that's crazy that you were able to keep going on by moonlight. I remember turning off my headlamp at times and it being pitch dark.
Yeah, it definitely humbled me for sure. I will never again take on a mountain hike solo. Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Incredible.
Wow! Glad you're safe. Thank you for making this video. Looks like an incredible hike.
You’re very welcome! Are you going to try it sometime?
So glad you made it back safely! Miss Whitney is definitely a beast of a hike. Thanks for sharing your journey. Great video!
Me too!! I definitely worried the heck out of my wife and family.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. 😀
Hi Anthony. Thanks for your video, I really liked it. I would like to get to the top of Mt. Whitney some day. I did a lot of backpacking when I was 40 with my wife. I am now 72. She can no longer backpack. I would like to hike to the top, but I have no one crazy enough to do it with me. I appreciate your desire to be part of a group. It certainly is safer and less lonely. What I would really like to do is start in Yosemite and come down from the north. 200+ miles. John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Probably over a month's time. I have to get into a lot better aerobic shape than I'm currently in. The farthest trip I did was the 50 mile West Coast trail in Vancouver, CA. Also 5 days - 30 miles through the Grand Canyon. Neither of those have any altitude problems. Slogging up the Grand Canyon 7 miles with a 40 lb pack was a drudge, but really not all that hard. Plenty of H20 was the key to that. It was 95 degrees. We also spent 5 days in the Wind River Mts in Wyoming. That was a bit tough with a 60 lb. pack. We brought heavy clothing and needed every stitch of it! The Wind Rivers are notorious for nasty weather and we survived an ice storm at 9,500 ft during the night. In the morning there was a sheet of ice covering our tent. But I recommend the Wind Rivers as the scenery is unbelievably spectacular and not many people get up there. I did run into a little bit of heart palpitations at 10,000 ft. I had done strength and endurance training before I hiked up there. But with Whitney at 14,500+ ft, I would think the altitude would be more of a problem. I need to do a lot of aerobic training. I hear that is the best thing to do to prepare for high altitude hiking. Also that is one reason I would want to start in the North. It would give me a month to acclimate. I am seriously impressed that you got to the top of Whitney and back in one day - that's 44 miles! Yikes! Awesome! I am so glad you put in the timing it took in your video. What time did you start back down? I also have been caught by the dark descending a mountain and it certainly ups the stress level. Its dangerous. Bless the Lord you caught up with another group. I always take 2 headlamps + batteries on a hike now. My wife and I led a family group down from a mountain once in the dark. The poor children were crying. I led the group with my headlamp and my wife headed up the rear. At one point I walked right off the trail into the brush. My wife yelled at me that I went off trail and I followed her voice to get back. After 2 hours we finally got back to the parking lot without any injuries. There was a ranger there who said:"Thank God you found these people and got them down. I didn't really want to start a search and rescue in the dark. You were my last hope." Yes - we all need to help each other.
Wow!!! Such beautiful stories here Mando. I am so sorry for the lateness of this response. Sounds like you and your wife have had some amazing adventures. So happy to hear you guys were able to help out that family.
I started heading back down at 4pm. Waaaay too late. One of the scariest experiences of my life and I am so thankful that I found that group of hikers. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful comment. ~ Anthony
So glad that you are okay. Thank you so much for all of the helpful information and wonderful video.
Elli Mazeres you’re very welcome!! I am glad also!! 😂😂😂
I’m so flattered that you enjoyed it.
My altitude hiking experience was running the Pikes Peak Ascent trail race four times. It’s 13 miles and 8,000 feet elevation change to the top. Then there’s a sweet bus ride back to Manitou Springs. I trained hard, enough to run a marathon, and traveled to Colorado a few days early to acclimatize by driving the highway to the top a couple of times and taking acetazolamide to help my blood chemistry. Exercise at altitude is no joke. So I sympathize. Hiking with a buddy is a great insurance policy against getting injured and needing help. Hindsight is 20/20.
That's wonderful. Thanks for sharing and watching. Man, Pikes Peak, I have heard about that. I may have to try to give it a shot one day.
Hi Anthony. Great achievement. Keep on hiking, its great for your heart and health. Perhaps a GPS might help for some hikes if you lose your sense if direction, although you've probably learned enough about this hike to not need it if you decide to do it again. Thanks for a great video.
Yeah, I have heard that suggestion many times, but always a good reminder. Thank you for the kind words. It was an experience I will never forget. Still on the fence if I will do it again. Thanks for watching. ~ Anthony
Beautiful views leading to mirror lake. Thank you, Anthony for taking time to shoot and then produce and share this video with us while we sit in the comfort of our homes. I am still inspired by your solo trek. I am also inspired by your different video shoots - which means, you had to return to pick up your camera (ref: ~ 8:30 mark). What? No food for the marmot? LOL (I never feed them otherwise, they'll be a nuisance.) Your appetite is much better than mine. You say, "I'll stop and have a sandwich." I typically eat very little as I don't have the appetite and digesting takes energy away from my hiking. Ahhh, we're each so different. Hey, no gloves for The Cables? OUCH! Okay. I'll continue watching from 13 minutes to hear about the "hard lesson" you learned. Again, thank you, Anthony for such a cool video and for sharing it with us.
Brenda Avadian you’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far. Those marmots are all over. Cute little guys. 😀
Yeah, stopping to get my camera a few times definitely slowed me down. Haha
In April 1987 (I was 35 years old) I climbed to the base of the cables on Half Dome. I left the Valley around 1:30 pm and reached the base of the cables at 4:00 PM. Descended very quickly and reached the Valley at 5:00 pm. Three months later I was on my quest to climb Mt. Whitney. On July 3, 1987, I left Whitney Portal at 6:00 AM on a beautiful cloudless sky with warm temperatures. I hiked with an ice axe and I was able to summit at 3:00 pm. I left the summit at 3:30 pm and I thought I would descend very quickly but it took me five and a half hours reaching Whitney Portal at 9:00 pm. I'm 71 years old now and I marvel at watching people attempt Mt Whitney in a day's hike at my accomplishment.
It is quite a feat. Not sure if I will do it again. Thanks for sharing your amazing story. ~ Anthony
Saw a father and son duo who started at 6 or 6:30 am and finished at 7:30 pm. They made it look so easy. I know better, lol.
I think your watch was lying to you on your descent from Half Dome. That is 7-8 miles with treacherous rock steps - running is both difficult and insanely dangerous. No way one could make that trip down in 1 hour and live.
@@aliensoup2420 I slept in on Thursday, April 16, 1987. Went to the Yosemite cafeteria around noon. Started to hike on what I thought would be an easy walk up to Vernal Falls. I traveled light and hiked with Reebook sneakers. I kept hiking until I reached what is now called Sub Dome by 3 pm. Stayed about 30 minutes and started my walk down. After getting off the route up to Sub Dome, which is rocky, the trial was soft dirt covered with pine needles. I was even surprised how quickly I descended. Reach the Valley well before sunset, which was 7:30 pm. There was more than an hour of daylight left.
Given how quickly I descended off Half Dome, when I did Mt Whitney from 6 am to 9 pm, I thought that I could descend rather quickly, but with so many rocky steps to step down on, it took my 5.5 hours. Again, I traveled very light and in Reebok sneakers.
Anthony, so glad you made it back safely. Hey, I've been to Whitney three times, summitted twice and pulled a hammy the other time. It was bad news.
Next time you should consider two days. One night at Trail camp. This way you can take your time, enjoy the scenery and relieve yourself of added stress.
Hi Joe! Yes, that is exactly what I would want to do if I decide to do it again. Sorry to hear about that hamstring injury, but it sounds like you learned a lot from your experiences. Thanks for the sharing.
I did the same thing and hiked Whitney in a day solo. I left early and did not get injured but it was exhausting and a very long day. Glad you made it back safely.
Robert Turner thank you! Yes, me and my family are also glad. My wife so worried she sobbed her eyes out when I finally got back. Congratulations on completing it and thank you for taking the time to comment.👍
Wow well done. It must of been challenging. Beautiful scenery
Thank you! Yes, it was very challenging. It definitely humbled me. 😂
Thank you for your realness. I will be taking on the PCT this year and want to attempt the Mt Whitney summit on the way. Much food for thought here.
You're very welcome! I am so happy it helped. Have fun and safe travels on your PCT adventure. ~ Anthony
Hey Anthony! It’s Leah. Finally watched, and I absolutely got teary eyed a few times. So glad you made it back safe, and glad I got to take that hilarious picture. The views, by the way, were amazing.
slaygal333 Awww I’m glad you liked it. It was so cool spending the weekend with you. That picture is awesome. One of my favs.
Btw, slaygal? What’s the story behind that? Lol
Running For My Best Life it’s from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It was a nickname given to Buffy during like season 3 I think.
slaygal333 ooooh. Well, that explains it. Lol
Hi. That a beautiful views i loce the stream with the small bridge that good you bring all you need .. yes walkt talky that big help alot so that you have contack oh still dark but that good so that you have a lot ofbtime to hike.. honestly i realy love mother nature the jungles a lots of trees .. rocks m. Mountains oh this is my fun . Thank you for your time to share this video i injoy watching.m
Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. I really appreciate that you took the time to watch and leave a comment.
It was definitely a beautiful adventure. ~ Anthony
I went up there June 20th 2019. There was was so much more snow and ice. Amazing to see it with much less. I went up from the PCT side which had its own challenges.
Whoa, really?! I was shocked by all the snow I saw in July. I actually met a guy at the top that came from the PCT side. If my memory serves me right, he was on like a month long excursion and the top of Whitney was one of his stops. But I was a bit foggy when I got there so I might be wrong. Haha
Thanks for sharing.
Glad you returned home from your solo adventure. I would consider partnering up next time you challenge yourself off grid though.
Thank you! Yes, I am very thankful that I did also.
I will definitely be going with a group the next time I take it on. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
I think you've perhaps learned what to many can be a surprising lesson- coming down is often far far harder than going up. I was immediately alarmed when you said it was as late as 4pm when you reached the summit. If you can remember where you missed the trail coming down, I would report it to the park authorities with a suggestion for signage in.those places. I'm from the UK and when I climbed our highest mountain (Ben Nevis) it took me four hours to get to the top, but five gruelling hours to get back down. And this mountain is only just over 4000 ft high! Like Mount Whitney is has a marked well defined path to the top. But please don't beat yourself up for wanting to make this climb. As for your good advice at the end of the video, I would add one thing- practice on some lower, easier mountains before tackling Mount Whitney.
This mountain definitely humbled me. I did only a few hikes prior to this, but assuming since I have done multiple marathons beforehand would make that hike easier was a huge mistake. Lesson learned for sure. I haven't been back since, but I am hoping the trail is clearly visible now. I did this shortly after thy had an earthquake and a lot of the trail had debris. Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to watch and comment. Truly appreciated. ~ Anthony
My son and I climbed her in the Fall of 2018 with a stay at Trail Camp. Lowlanders, so he got pretty altitude sick midway along the Crest and we had to turn back with the Surveyor’s Cabin in sight. It may not be Everest, but it demands respect.
Hey Mark. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Oh man, I am sorry to hear about your son. I ran into a guy suffering through that on the way up. He was not looking good, but he made it with the constant pushing of his buddy.
Do you think you will ever try it again?
Yes, a HUGE amount of respect!
I appreciate the comment.
Anthony
Wow... !!! My best friend, Great... We liked and enjoyed to the end. Thanks Have a happy day!
Thank you! You too!
I can't believe how beautiful the scenery is! I love the east coast woodlans and the Appalachians, but WOW - I need to get out your way! Keep the amazing footage coming! And be careful out there!
Yeah, there are a lot of treasures out here. It was definitely an adventure I’ll never forget. Definitely want to do it again, with a group this time of course.😀😂
Nice video! Glad you made it back safe. Never do a hike as this one alone. Training to hike Mt Whitney next year. I’m going with seven other ladies in my group. Thank you for all your tips.
I definitely learned the hard way! Haha.
I’m o glad you enjoyed this video. Your feedback means so much to me.😀
Good luck on your hike. Are you also going to do it in one day?
I’m over in Simi, getting into trail running, converting over from hiking. Whitney is no joke, it is more time spent at high altitude than any other local training hike (Jacinto, Baldy, Grogonio, Langley, White). I failed my first attempt, I tried a 38 mile backside route with 26 mi first day to Guitar Lake. I actually had to go up to trail crest and go down w/o summiting lol. I went back a month later and did it in a day the normal way. Now that I am doing the ultra training I am curious how I would do in a day and perhaps my first failed route in a day as well.
Thanks for sharing. I am curious also.
Funny you mention this, because while I was hiking I remember a few guys running back down as I was going up. One of them stopped and chatted for minute. All he had was running shorts on and a little bottle of water. He said he runs up and down Whitney every week as a training run. I was blown away!!
@@runningformybestlife that is a person definitely experienced but also willing to take risk. I personally would never do Whitney w/o gear to survive the night if I broke an ankle. That means bigger water carries as well. I also always carry an inReach and text my wife at set check-ins, those text automatically include gps location automatically. This stuff is no joke, I met Bob Gregory while hiking Langley, spent the day talking to him, he was dead less than a year later going up Islip here in LA.
If looking for a safe but mountainous run to train for, Kodiak ultramarathon 50k follows this general trail called Skyline (iirc) up in Big Bear, the trail is never far from a fire road and lots of bikers, 4x4’s, etc around. As long as there wasn’t snow it’d be fine. Lots of cell coverage but not 100%.
You’re a champion man! Good work. I did it myself and it was extremely hard
Nice work! We are both Champions! I hope your experience was a bit smoother than mine.
@@runningformybestlife only a bit, had an uncontrollable slide down the chute full of terror but I was able to come to a stop and down safely. Luckily didn’t hit any rocks. 😅 all else was smooth as butter during the hike.
Oof 4am! Nothing like leaving before sunrise. We did that a couple times in Colorado. The sunrise at the lake was beautiful!! The scenery is amazing!!
Omg this came up recommended so I thought it was new, but I was wondering how it’s so nice out 🤣
Whoa the cables look awesome!! Damn!!
Omg 1:30am?? Oh my gosh, how scary! 🥺
Wow I just got chills 🙏
Haha! I'm glad it came up. This video, as you see, was the biggest challenge to make, but so worth. it. I love the memories. It was a scary experience, but I learned a lot. It taught me to truly appreciate my loved ones.
Did ya see the guy sleeping on the edge in the cable scene. Crazy!
Thanks for checking this out. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
My tips for you, if you want to hike Mt Whitney. Train well at home. Get to Lone Pine early and do some acclimation hikes. Horseshoe Meadows and Lone Pine Lake are great hikes. And then do the hike in two days, not just one. Stay the night at Trailside Camp, leave your stuff there, and pack it up on they way out. This way, you will actually enjoy your hike, not just suffer through it.
Fantastic tips! Thanks for sharing. This will be a big help to those thinking of doing it. Thanks for watching.
Very interesting adventure and advice!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching. I hope it helped.
THANK YOU I HAPPY YOUR OK I HAVE THIS ON MY LIST THANKS FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS AM GETTING PREPARE TO DO IT 🤝👍👏🥇🙏❤️
You’re very welcome!! I hope this helps you on your journey. Be safe and enjoy the beauty!😁
Dude, congrats. It’s asking a lot from anyone to do Whitney in one day. I’ve climbed it about 7 times from 3 different directions, but NEVER as a 1 dayer. That came into fashion mostly when the hike got too popular and they had to start the lottery. But rolling an ankle on the downclimb ! That is cringeworthy, as was your photo of it. I’m glad you found your trail angels. There’s still good folks in the world.
Thank you for the kind words Charles and for watching. That ankle injury was definitely a product of me rushing. I should have took my time, but I was overthinking it.
Wow. 7 times. That’s amazing! Maybe one day you do it one day. (Hopefully with a better experience than mine.🤣)
@@runningformybestlife 7 times but we’re talking over a couple decades. First time was senior year of high school (class of ‘71) last time was when a slightly older glider pilot friend of mine tuned 60 (11yrs ago).
@charlesbritzman501 still amazing!
Thank you for the tips. I’m preparing to do a 2 day backpacking in early August
Fantastic!! Glad it helped. Have fun and be safe. :) ~ Anthony
*Great videos with great content as always... :) Love the content that you are putting out my friend. Never stop sharing to impact more lives. Don't forget the fact that we are together in this game to help each other to grow*
Ahmet Kaan Aydoğan thank you!! I appreciate that.
Great video. You’re an amazing person. Summited Whitney in 2 day hike. Gorgeous views.
Thank you so much! That was such an amazing(and scary) experience. Congrats on your summit. I am sure you had an amazing time.
Back in the 1990's, I hiked Whitney three times and made it to the Summit all three. Each time, we would camp first at Outpost camp. Wake up at 5 am, and go for the Summit. My friend got Altitude sickness the first time, and I had to summit alone. The same friend made it the second and third time with me. Its really important to "acclimate" to the altitude and camp either at Whitney portal for a night then maybe camp at Outpost camp. it does help. I am curious how the trail has changed if much since the 1990's. There was a recent earthquake and rock slide that happened... if you GOOGLE it you'll see it. Scary stuff!!!! I didn't even think of the that when being up there. Ignorance is Bliss sometimes. Be safe!
What a beautiful share that was. Thank you so much for that. I went up there about a month after the rockslide and there was a lot of rocks on the trail. I pretty sure that's why I sprained my ankle. Being in a hurry and not paying attention.
Are you going to do it again? When I do, I am definitely going to go with a group and camp overnight like you guys did. I want to make up for this experience.
Oh my goodness! Thank God for the angels and you came back in one piece.
YES!! DEFINITELY! I was so happy to see that footprint. Plus, they were sooo freaking nice. My wife was very thankful for them. Thanks for watching! Have you done that hike?
@@runningformybestlife Oh, No! I am not a hiker at all and at my age of 67, I don't think I will ever be. That's why I admire those of you who are adventurous. We are planning an RV trip along the 395 in May and just researching what we should do on that route. Came upon your video and what a find! Thanks again for sharing your incredible experience!
Oh how cool! That sounds like a fun trip!!
I really appreciate you watching my adventure.
I hope it helped you.
@@runningformybestlife Yes! Thanks again!
Such a wonderful channel, I watched your content and I have a BIG SMILE on my face. I immediately clicked the LIKE 👍 92 & 🔔🔔🔔. Take care and keep posting my dear friend! 💗💗
Conscious Creator you’re too kind! Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing your content also! Welcome to my community.😀
Excellent presentation, and great advice. Thank you!
Appreciate that!! Thanks for watching!🤗
Good hike
Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing your story.
You’re very welcome. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
At the risk of sounding rude, I only have one thing to say to you. GARMIN! With a $100-$150 Garmin eTrex 10 or 20 or 30, you could have avoided getting lost and had no problems. Another safety device would have been a Zoleo or a Reach or some other personal location device or beacon. In the event another group was not around and you were stranded alone or injured you would be able to send out an emergency signal that sends rescue teams scrambling to rescue you. Zoleo is like $200 and Reach is a bit more but it's cheap insurance. Where did you start at? We usually start at Crescent Valley and then take a nice relaxing week to get to Whitney Portal. What you did would be a challenge for the most skilled backpackers. Glad you made it out safely but there are definitely ways to ensure your safety even when solo. Best wishes in your future endeavors!
Not rude at all. It's wonderful advice for anyone taking this on. I think a few others here in the comments had similar suggestions. I started from the Whitney Portal campsite. I haven't tried it again since, but if I ever decided to I will definitely get a satellite communicator, Thanks for watching and the feedback.
@@runningformybestlife Thanks for the reply. It is often when you give friendly advice that people think you are assassinating their character....
You did an amazing job getting up there. You made excellent time with no injuries, etc. Well done! Isn't it amazing how fast things go south without warning? It's hard to think of all scenarios possible and they are almost infinite! I also liked your use of the radio. How far did you radio? From the summit to Whitney Portal? That's pretty darn far if it was lol. I have a couple of 10 watt radios I think I'll try at some point. Well my friend, I do hope you try again without the dangers. Post it if you do, i'd love to see it!
Have you been to the highest points in any other states?
Nope. That was my last hiking experience. It definitely humbled me.
Thank you for sharing you trip journey.
You’re very welcome! I hope it helps you in your journey if you decide to take it on.
Great video ❤ thank you for sharing the experience 👍
You are very welcome. It was my pleasure. I am so happy so many people are getting value from it.
Glad you made it back safe. Where there is a will there is a way.
Yes there is!! Thanks for watching. I truly appreciate it.
That last 2 miles to the summit wasn’t in the brochure!! That was the worst for me! I’m doing it again this Sept. 15, 2021!
I know, right!! Felt like FOREVER!!! Have fun! At least now you know what to expect.👍
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m thinking about trying this hike and you’ve provided such valuable information! Just curious, once you realized you were in trouble, why didn’t you use your garmin device to communicate with your family? I have a Garmin inReach and was happy when I saw you had one too. But it doesn’t seem like you used it? Thanks again and glad you made it back safely :-)
Hi Susy! Thanks for watching. I’m glad it has helped you in your personal journey.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a Garmin, I had some walks talkies where the signal was blocked by the mountain most of the time.
Next time I would definitely invest in one of those. Let me know how it goes if you try it out. ~ Anthony
No that was a walkie talkie, good idea tho
Not sure if "more the merrier" is always the best. The more people go, the more likely at least one person is going to have issues. It could be altitude sickness, sprains, falls. Two or three might be best.
Thanks for your comment. You make a good point. I think I am going to try again next year with two others.
You really had a late start. It took too long to get past trail camp.
Very true! If I ever do it again, I will definitely leave much earlier and not make so many stops.
Good video....thank you
Thank you so much. I hope it helps if you decide to take on Whitney.
Welcome to the club. Great accomplishment. I prefer solo hiking. I agree trail camp makes it a great 2 day hike.
Thank you. Not sure if I will do it again, but if I do I'll probably do it with a group and camp overnight at Trail Camp. Thanks for watching.
Respect to you sir
Thank you! Appreciate that.
This is wild, super cool about the foot print.
Thank you!! Yes, I was very happy to see that.
Such a tough hike. Loved It
It definitely is!! Thanks for watching!
Beautiful place! Nice to join your journey on TH-cam!
Yes it is! Thank you for being part of the journey.❤️
@@runningformybestlife Awesome!! You're very welcome! Thanks for your reply, too!
Who in the fuck disliked this video jesus christ. Im glad you made it home safely.
Hahaha. It’s not for everyone I guess. Thanks! So am I.😁
This is so amazing! I would love to hike up there! How was you acclimatization to the altitude? I know I start feeling it at around 12-5 if I haven't been at higher elevations before the hike! That was such an inspiring story you told at the end. You are 100% right about needing to leave early for the summit. I am so glad you were fine!
Hi Robbie! Thanks for checking this out. The only symptom I may have had was some brain fog. While on the summit and the top I felt like I couldn't think straight and actually had a hard time finding the trail to head back down.
Next time I will definitely leave a bit earlier and with a group. Thanks again for checking this out. I look forward to growing together.
Hiked it twice at age 62 and 65. Over prepare, Train like crazy with a full backpack or a weight vest. Take lots of food but watch out for the marmots. Acclimate by a couple of easy day hikes at cottonwood pass or the bristlecone pine forest. Take a water filter device with electrolyte tabs. Wear a hat with a brim and long sleeves. Wear work gloves. For sure, go with a group and do it over two days. Take your time and enjoy the views. Then hit Vegas on the way home!
@@LegioXIVGemina That's fantastic advice! thanks for sharing.
Can I know what kind of walkie talkie do You used ??
Clandestine Hi. I used the Midland XT. I would definitely use a Satellite Communicator next I do it.
Here is a link to a great guide.
hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hikes-around-mt-whitney/mt-whitney-hike/amp/
I go hiking lots and alone and had a problem. My wife told me to get a Garmin inreach and it is worth the money(for me)
Oooh, that sounds interesting. Please tell me more about that watch.
@@runningformybestlife I purchased a Garmin Inreach GPS map 66i and it is not a watch. This has the two way text messaging available for the Iridium satellite network. My wife can see where I am in pretty much real time as long as she has access to the internet. Here is a link to what I have buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/623975 and it provides excellent two way text messaging plus an excellent mapping capability.
That’s fantastic! Thank you so much. I’ll look into that. That would definitely help put my wife’s mind at ease for future adventures.
@@runningformybestlife Your welcome
This, money well spent. I bought a 66i first, it has InReach capability and was great, but turned out to be overkill for almost all of my trips. I bought a Mini 2 before I did Whitney last month, and it is amazing. In addition to the weight savings, you can message directly between devices. The idea was to leave the 66i with my wife the portal campground so that I could keep in touch while I had my solo. It worked fantastic. The other thing I did was setup a MapShare page for anyone who was interested to watch the hike online, which also worked out.
I've done it 6 times and never got easier. The last time I did it in a day. I started at 1 am and finished at 8 pm. People underestimate the effects of altitude or how strenuous it is of a hike. On one trip I actually met a person trying to do this hike in cowboy boots!! This is a wilderness hike and if you become incapacitated from injury or illness it will take hours for a rescue party to reach you even if you have a PLB.
Thank you so much for sharing and watching. I truly appreciate it.
Next time I do it, I’m definitely going to leave earlier. When we were coming back I saw folks leaving at midnight.
Wow! Cowboy boots!? That crazy. I wonder if that person made to the top safely.
@@runningformybestlife Actually it was early afternoon and told him he wasn't going to make it. He probably didn't make it.
@@runningformybestlife Now you know what to expect. I always hike with a space blanket, first aid kit with ace wrap. I always find someone with scrapes or sprained ankles, or sitting in poison oak.
Yeah, I’m sure you’re correct. Hopefully he learned his lesson.
Wow! That’s very cool that you do that. I’m sure those folks appreciate it.
Head to REI for all the equipment needs for your Mount Whitney journey!
alnk.to/h6Dhb4D
And if this video brought you value, click here to SUBSCRIBE!👇😀
th-cam.com/users/RunningForMyBestLife
And still you feel its ok for you to sell hiking gear?
Yup. Sure do…troll.
No need to buy everything at REI. Their prices stink, and there are plenty of online alternatives.
Wow amazing my friend👏, that's nice and wonderful nature🌿🍃 🏔🗻
Thank you so much!! I agree. It was an amazing experience. Thanks for commenting. 😀
Wow great information excellent work fantastic great channel so beautiful place brother love u
Thank you so much! That means so much to me. I truly appreciate that you stopped by and joined me on my journey.😀🙏
what training hikes did you do?
A few local hikes in my area, including Mount Baden Powell and Mount Baldy.
@@runningformybestlife Gorgonio?
Great video! Volume varies a little through scenes, but the content was well worth it.
I appreciate the feedback. This was one of my first videos, so I was still very new to filming. I hope my volume levels are much better in my newer vids.😂
Thanks for watching and commenting. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
If you haven’t already please subscribe to my channel.
Thanks
Anthony
Dood I trained a year for Whitney still kicked my behind n yes coming down is tuff
But a heck of an adventure, right?!
"Was it worth it?" That's a silly question! You're still alive, so YES! Unless maybe you lost a friend up there.
I know, right? No. Thankful none of that happened. It was an adventure I will never forget. Thanks for watching.👍
Losing the trail sucks, but now you have your own .gpx track. Next time will be even better 😇.
Very true! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate that.😀
Your big mistake was not properly determining your hiking pace. You took too much time going up. You must be able to approximate your time up and down to determine a reliable turn-around time from the summit. Typical turn-around time on Whitney is between 12 - 1:30 pm. That also accommodates the afternoon rainstorms that regularly blow in. If you want to take a more casual relaxed pace up the mountain, you must leave earlier in the morning. This is why 1st timers should hike the trail in stages to determine their pace and time on the trail. Then you can reliably determine a safe start time. Your rush to the bottom is probably what caused your mishaps. Except for the length of time you took to the summit, your trip up was flawless. You should have started at 1 or 2 am.
Completely agree!! Great advice to those trying it for the first time. I remember some folks turning around saying they didn't get to where they wanted to in time. At the time, I didn't understand. A few hours later I did. Thank you so much for watching and for providing some wisdom.
Great job man!
Thank you so much!
wow cool channel thanks for uploading this content!
I appreciate the kind words. Thank you!
You're a lucky dude. The mountains are not something to take lightly. Mt Whitney should be a two day hike. Wear boots that have ankle support. Take shelter. Use a map. Satellite communication is a must for major hikes.
Absolutely agree! Thank you for watching and for the feedback. Definitely will implement those tips if I decide to do it again.👍😁
One day I will climb that beast, but first I will train like hell.
Wise decision!!!! 👍😁
Wow.
Like 202 very good happy. Neu year🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Thank you so much!! Happy New Year to you also! Thank you so much for stopping by.
You left the portal about 2 hours too late.
Yeah, I realized that as I was heading back. Lesson learned for next time.
Hi new friend here send love and suppprt with full package
keep it up . Newbie here
Stay conn tau
Godbless to ur channel
Thank you so much!! Sorry for the late reply. I didn't realize till now that i didn't do that.
Only 2 pic of the summit...not even a short video about the summit and views from the top👎
I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely try to get better shots next time. By the time I got up there all I was concerned about was getting back down before it got too late.
Well, (I suspect that is a personal call- more than the hand of God touching a shoulder kinda thing. Have been to the top twice in '87 and my take on the view, panoramically, was it was okay but along the trail many areas offered far more spectacular sights.(to me) The shelter and signing the summits sign-in-sheet was memorial and having pics/video perhaps of plaques and inside the shelter were more to remember later and document the moment to me, but honestly my take was not a breathtaking sight as you might think once you reach the top and see the Owens Valley floor off in the distance and only as far as weather conditions permits in each direction. The hike and the personal accomplishment of summiting (just at the top...seemed my thing...seeing the shelter and signing that register was my reward at the top) ...no Chock-full of Nuts can with a friends cremated remains secretly stashed away in a rock crevice at Whitney's peak or a momentous family photo, or a loved one suffering or passed on perhaps preserved under a stone. But at the end after the moment passes and time elapses it still is what was in the hiker's heart. Told later is like passing a baton in a relay race with meaning and purpose and how that next person will carry it to do likewise and maybe pass it onto another...thus legends grow and are told of something significant Anthony's Whitney hike meant a lot as he stirred this conversation comment as to why, to me, it was a good Summit. And had he not would make it no less. Said coming from a man who was there on that peak and now gets it 35 years later. The climber and the climb is in the heart of the person who felt it was important. And that works for me. It is what measures and marks who we all are. At the peak of all Whitney peaks we summit in life. 2 pics, one pic, no pics or perhaps a 60min narrated video that is shared later. Maybe you are right. But I think Anthony got all he needed at Whitney's Summit. If not sure he'll be back. 😅
I applaud you for attempting this climb and your success. I hope you dont take this personally but your ascent time was VERY slow. What kind of shape were you in ? Judging by your videos your breathing seemed better than normal/average and your overall demeanor seemed that you werent stressed or overly tired. I have seen people on that trial in bad condition and hurting. However 12 hours for the ascent would rank you close to the slowest of all people who climb Whitney in a day. An average time is around 6 hours, "fast" is 4 hours and "slow" would be around 8-9 hours.
Why on Earth would I take that personally!? That might be the nicest comment I have ever read!!🙄
You’re too kind to remind of how slow I was. But guess what. I...DID...IT!💪
I’m curious, how long did it take you to climb it?
@@runningformybestlife I've climbed Whitney 4 times. 2 times were via the Whitney trail, 1 time via Mountaineers route and one time via East Face. For the Whitney trail first time I took 7:15 up and 5 : 20 minutes down. Second time I took 6:30 up and 5:30 down.
I was there before the Pandemic.
Nice!!
Brother did anybody ever tell you that you look like the deceased mountain climber ueli scteck , sounds like ullie steck. Peace bro, I summited whitney twice one on the standard route and the other on mountaineer route, both solo and same day
Hey Bob. No, I haven't heard that, but after looking him up just now, I can see the resemblance. Sorry to read what happened to him. Congrats on your successful attempts. What advice would you offer others?
Thanks for watching.
~ Anthony
Oof redflag no water filter
I used tablets instead. They seemed to work pretty good.
Way to go schmucko
Hey, Thanks!!!!😊
,,c
What a cluster f**k! NOT impressed. Done it 4 times without a problem, returning well before dark. The trail is well-maintained and obvious. You have to try really hard to get lost. If you're in shape and use good judgement and common sense, this is one of the easiest 14 thousanders. An obvious beginner like this should at least take someone along who knows what they're doing. Also, spending one night at 8,000 feet isn't going to do anything to help you acclimatize. At least he didn't trigger a rescue that put others in danger.
Cool. Thanks.
Hang on man, did you not have All-Trails or some GPS device? Wow, you’re lucky sir.
Haha yeah, I know. I totally underestimated that goliath. Lesson learned. Thanks for watching. Sorry for the late reply. Hectic couple of weeks. ~ Anthony