Time to Get Elevated

I arrived to Lone Pine Thursday October 5, 2017. I went to the visitors center to see if I could obtain a day permit to hike Mt. Whitney on Friday. I waited with 9 other anxious people trying to get single or group permits. We drew numbers to see who would be helped first as we were told all of us would receive a permit. I drew number 9 and so two rangers alternated helping us until finally it was my turn. Ranger Mark was so helpful he told me where to find a BLM (bureau of land management) campground and that it was the best deal. He gave me instructions and handed me the toilet to go bag which I promised myself I wouldn't have to use. A doggy poop bag on a short run no big deal, but I'm not carrying my own crap off the mountain let alone sticking it in one of my pack pockets.

I drove to the campground that was $8 a night. I threw my $10 bucks in the envelope and sealed it.  Who ever maintains that land deserved a tip. I found cute campsite 10 where the creek runs behind it. I got all my hydration together and ready for the morning. As I was preparing my pack I got a text from my friend Ashley who was concerned and wanted to know if I had a contact and what time I expected to be done. I gave her my mom's phone number and discussed a time frame of when I'd start and hope to end. Thank you Ashley for caring so very much that really meant so much! She encouraged me to hydrate and I sent her a photo of my camelbak bladder one gallon jug of water, 3 fluid performance filled bottles and my Nathan bottle. I know I'm a fish during activity and I plan accordingly. I also didn't want to need my water filter although I put it in my pack anyway.

I woke up to my alarm at 4:00 am and pressed snooze and decided I didn't want to start in the dark or cold. At 5:00 I got out of my sleeping bag, put all my warm gear on and made the short drive from the campground to the Whitney Portal trailhead.

I began the hike shortly after 6:00 am. I had little knit gloves on and my hands were cold. I looked forward to sunrise and getting my hands warmer. 

I decided to try to take a picture each mile. Mile 1 was nice I was right where I wanted to be moving slow to avoid any ill effects the altitude might present.

Mile 2 I met a really nice couple from Quebec, Canada who had left their jobs to adventure travel and backpack. I enjoyed chatting with Pam and Joe.

Miles 3/4 were beautiful with flowing water and trees. I was right on pace to where I wanted to be.

Mile 5 is where my real test began. I lost the trail. I looked forward and up to see where it veered off to only to find a white pair of bare butt cheeks using the toilet to go and wiping. I hoped the hiker didn't hear me or turn around. I went down some rocks and did a loop. The hiker had finished doing what bears do in the woods and so I asked if he knew where the trail went. He said to my left up the rocks. Terrific which rocks? I found the trail and was back on my way.

At 10,000 feet I decided to grab a little snack. My personal favorite is the Vermont Smoke and Cure beef stick chipotle flavor.

Shortly after I met two brothers from Buffalo New York. They'd left their jobs behind for a backpacking travel adventure. The one brother said he'd been living in my favorite small town of Killington, Vermont the last few years. He was surprised to hear I knew it and had been on the mountain where he had worked.

I continued on with the brother in the front. We came across a funny shaped rock in the trail we had to climb over.

We found a hiker who was on his way down from the summit and out of water. I asked him if he had a filter to which he gave me a puzzled look and response. Filter? I took out one of my fluid hydration bottles and emptied its contents into another bottle and handed it to him along with my lifestraw with instructions on how to use the two together.

The New Yorker and I carried on, but I fell back when I noticed a crow land on a rock and begin pecking at a shiny object it had in its beak. I scared it away and it left the object behind. It was tin foil with little pieces littered to and fro. I picked it up and continued the hike to the summit. 

The last few sections to the summit are rocky and sometimes technical, but enjoyable. I arrived in more time than the 6 hours I wanted so I snapped some photos, signed the log (finally no dnf) and made my way back down.

On the way down I lost trail and there was two men hiking together that said the trail is up here. I scrambled back up the rocks and ran the sections I could. I wanted as much daylight as possible on the descent. I looked forward and thought the trail went downward only to have the two guys look at me and ask if I was on trail. I said no probably not as I climbed back up once again.

I got to 99 switchbacks and saw a hiker with a prosthetic leg. He was incredible he didn't mind my prying question and he shared he'd had ankle cancer. I asked if he would mind if I took a photo and thanked him for the inspiration and motivation. He shared stories of guiding newbies on the Whitney Summit hike, going to Denali, Kilimanjaro and his career. He let me stay behind him then allowed me to pass and continue on my own. I'd later find him through a Strava app and learn his name.

I continued the descent down stopping to take photos and to be cautious on the balance logs on fatigued legs.

I got a little nervous in the dark on the last mile, but I had a working headlamp. Anyone who knows my history of malfunctioning headlamps knows that was a big deal. I finished by watching the full orange harvest moon crest over the mountain. The total adventure took me just under 14 hours.

I drove to a rest area 35 minutes away, couldn't rest and made the remaining drive home to return at 3:00 am.

I am thankful I took my unexpected time off to have this experience and Get Elevated!

Fast forward to today Sunday morning. I had received a complimentary race entry for a local half marathon City to Sea. I've run it twice previously. My calf muscles were sore when I woke up and I told myself I had to go regardless. You sign up, You show up! I made a plan I'd just walk and try to come in under 3 hours. Well I walked, I jogged and sometimes ran complete miles. I finished in just over the amount of time my first half marathon took me 8 years ago. I was really surprised.

I went to church afterward, went swimming, relaxed in the hot tub and took a nap.

Someone asked me," what's next?" It's a trail run I didn't get to run 3 years ago because of some health struggles. I'm going to Santa Barbara Red Rock thanksgiving weekend and get redemption with a short 26 mile adventure on some beautiful trails.

Find what you enjoy, make goals and chase them!!!