Insane read, brother. You have a gift of writing and articulation. It’s like I was there with you but I’m so glad I wasn’t. You’re the guy who reads the instructions with just enough margin to figure it out and in this case, save your life. You’ve had a lot of Alaska Jon’s in your life, and yet you have some how managed to prove them of your innate genius, every single time. Love you so much!
Can you tell us the timeline of your ascent? You mention set off time, but what time did you summit and what time did you arrive back at base? How long did you rest at stops? I will be ascending in 2 weeks and it would be great to know. Thanks!
We also had a member that was not feeling well on the way down, so we were slower than anticipated. I think if you keep up a decent clip you can be faster than what is outlined below. especially on the way down. good luck!
Congrats on summiting and thank you so much for taking the time to place your blog link in the Whitney Portal message board. I am leaving Tuesday (5/21/24) to attempt the hike and summit. I am ready and I feel like reading you is giving me more tools to get is done. Thank you Brett!
Thankful Jon was working that day. Sounds like he gave you guys some very helpful and mindful thoughts on how to respond to Mt Whitney. That may not be in books or YouTube videos.
Love your writing style Brett. I laughed out loud quite a few times. It also made me feel like I was there with the four of you. I’m so glad I wasn’t though. I’m also glad I didn’t know about this adventure until after. Especially the sleigh ride minus the sleigh down the face. Kudos to the four wives back home, I’m sure on their knees asking God for His grace and protection over you. Like I said before you guys are insane but just sane enough to make it home alive. Thank You Jesus.
Insane read, brother. You have a gift of writing and articulation. It’s like I was there with you but I’m so glad I wasn’t. You’re the guy who reads the instructions with just enough margin to figure it out and in this case, save your life. You’ve had a lot of Alaska Jon’s in your life, and yet you have some how managed to prove them of your innate genius, every single time. Love you so much!
What an absolutely amazing read! Thank you so much for sharing, and congratulations!
I have a permit for June 7… I’m a little freaked, but your story inspired me… can I hire you to be my guide 😬
Well done friend, well done!
Can you tell us the timeline of your ascent? You mention set off time, but what time did you summit and what time did you arrive back at base? How long did you rest at stops? I will be ascending in 2 weeks and it would be great to know. Thanks!
We also had a member that was not feeling well on the way down, so we were slower than anticipated. I think if you keep up a decent clip you can be faster than what is outlined below. especially on the way down. good luck!
Hey Paul!
We were camping at Whitney Portal the night before. Here is a timeline of the day!
1am: Wake up
2:05am - started hiking from trailhead
2:30am - John Muir wilderness sign - .5 miles
3:44am - Entered the whitney zone sign - Roughly 2 miles - very short break
4:23am - Outpost Camp - 3.5 miles
4:47am - Mirror Lake - 4 miles - very short break
5:30am - Trail Meadow - Stop to Fill water - 5 miles
6:15am - Trail Camp - First Major Break - Water/Food/Bathroom/Cramp-ons - 6 miles
7:28am - Base of the chute - 6.5 miles (it's a trek from trail camp to the base of the chute)
8:30am - Trail Crest (top of the chute) - 8 miles - 25 minute break here..Food & Water.
10:30am - Summit (45 minutes at the summit) - 10 miles
11:20am - Depart Summit - Snowing & we are going very slow here.
12:40pm - Back at the top of the chute - Break.
1:18pm - back at trail camp (glissade the shoot)
2:00pm - Trail Meadow - Final Water refill & final long break.
3:20pm - Outpost Camp
5:30pm - Whitney Portal Trailhead
awesome. Thank you Brett!
Congrats on summiting and thank you so much for taking the time to place your blog link in the Whitney Portal message board. I am leaving Tuesday (5/21/24) to attempt the hike and summit. I am ready and I feel like reading you is giving me more tools to get is done. Thank you Brett!
Good luck!!!
Super impressive, Brett!!! I used to hike in the Adirondacks in high school but nothing like this!
Great writing too. I was scared for you on the slide down!
Thankful Jon was working that day. Sounds like he gave you guys some very helpful and mindful thoughts on how to respond to Mt Whitney. That may not be in books or YouTube videos.
Love your writing style Brett. I laughed out loud quite a few times. It also made me feel like I was there with the four of you. I’m so glad I wasn’t though. I’m also glad I didn’t know about this adventure until after. Especially the sleigh ride minus the sleigh down the face. Kudos to the four wives back home, I’m sure on their knees asking God for His grace and protection over you. Like I said before you guys are insane but just sane enough to make it home alive. Thank You Jesus.