Tiny Yellow Teardrop: Wishing for Whitney

Ever since I saw Mount Whitney for the first time about 10 years ago, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States has been on my mind. This year, my husband, several friends and I have decided we are going to attempt to summit the 14,497 foot peak located near Lone Pine, California.

To summit this craggy peak, you need to put your name into a lottery with Recreation.gov and then cross your fingers that your specific dates are chosen. Many people attempt the 22 mile climb in one day, but we are going to try it in two days. That means we backpack in and sleep at one of several overnight camps on the mountain. The training has begun.

Of course, we will not be able to tow our beloved teardrops (and their comfy beds) up the mountain, but they will be waiting for us at one of the campgrounds below the mountain trail. We will either stay at Lone Pine Campground, Whitney Portal Campground or Horseshoe Meadow Campground and will collapse in our beds after returning from the mountain.

I was wondering if any Tiny Yellow Teardrop readers have camped in the Lone Pine area and if they have been lucky enough to summit Mount Whitney. I would love to hear your stories.

Photos by Itoda

5 comments:

UnknownFebruary 19, 2014 at 2:24 AM
I climbed Whitney in 1991 when I was a senior in HS and it was one of the best memories of my life. Go for it!!!
MarieFebruary 24, 2014 at 11:50 AM
Wow this is great!! Keep us posted on your training.
My son has climbed Whitney 4 times! Twice while a teenager with the Boy Scouts, once on a solo hike of the High Sierra Trail & last year when he hiked the PCT. He has always started on the west side as permits are easier to get. That being said I've picked him up at Whitney Portal several times but did not camp. Lone Pine & Whitney Portal Campgrounds were full both times but looked like a great place to camp, lots of hikers. There is also camping in the Alabama Hills & spots were available & I believe places to boondock as well.
MarieFebruary 24, 2014 at 1:18 PM
Yes, he loves the Sierras. He has meet people of all age groups while climbing Whitney. On his solo hike he meet a 65 year old women that was hiking up Whitney solo & moving at a pace that left many of the "younger" hikers in her dust.