PCT Day 45

Bushcamp to Bushcamp

16 miles (all off trail)

Mile 766.3

At 1:30 I opened my eyes to the star sprinkled night sky as my alarm played it’s irritating tune. I silenced it in favor of the sounds of the rippling creek a few meters below me. I cursed to myself as I slipped out of my frost covered quilt to fumble numbly with my shoes. It took about ten minutes to get my frozen shoes defrosted enough to slip on. Feeling accomplished, I quickly grabbed the few items I’d need for the summit hike before setting off with Mike into the darkness.

Mike, Swift and I had decided the night before that we’d attempt to summit Mt Whitney despite the hazardous snowy conditions. To mitigate as much risk as possible, we planned an early start to allow us time to ascend and descend before the sun softened the snow. Spikes decided to sit this one out, as she’d previously summited Whitney, which worked out well for us since she could guard most of the gear we’d leave behind.

The first few hours were rough. We kept losing the trail due to the darkness and snow cover, so the going was slow. When we reached the base of Whitney we began a set of switchbacks that would test me to the core.

The 8 mile trek to the summit ended up taking muuuuuch longer than we’d anticipated. Moving at a snails pace, the sun began to rise halfway up the mountain.

As we ascended in elevation, the snow deepened and the air thinned.

Honestly we had no business being up there. It was nuts. The snow packed ridges were slick as hell, one slip and BOOM…I’m dead. I about turned around when I reached a sign that informed me I’d need to walk another 1.9 miles to reach the summit.

Legs throbbing, lungs screaming and adrenaline pumping, I pushed on through the waist deep snow, post holing and falling with every step.

Near the top, I said frick it and abandoned the trail to boulder my way up the final hundred feet. The thin air made every step painful.

Despite it all I reached the summit, just behind Swift and Yankee.

I spent the next two hours wrapped in my quilt trying to warm my frozen feet. I’d lost sensation in them hours prior, so I was rather concerned.

The rest of the gang showed up shortly after I did. After taking a few pics we decided we needed to head down before the sun softened snow to dangerous levels.

The trek back down came easily enough. The snow was pretty slushy, but it was manageable.

When I reached the base of Whitney I took a chill break near the frozen Guitar Lake to chomp on a Mio snowball.

From there I slowly made my way back to our base camp in the meadow. I took my time, enjoying the views I’d missed during the nighttime trek.

I reached our camp around 3 absolutely beat, but totally stoked on the epic day I’d had. Summiting Whitney was undoubtedly the most challenging feat both mentally and physically I’ve accomplished. I’m glad I did it, but not sure I ever need try it again!

I spent the rest of the day lounging about. The original plan was to hike out about 5 miles to the base of Forester Pass, so we’d get an early start at the highest Pass on the PCT. I decided I’d rather wake up extra early rather than put my pack back on, so I said goodbye to Swift, Spikes and Mike, promising to meet them the next day at 6am.

Alone for the first time in a while, I fell asleep in the meadow on top of my tarp enjoying the rippling sounds of the creek once again before the sun even set.

Today was a good day!

Cheers!