| |
| |
|
Outdoors Information |
|
|
|
Disneyland for Hikers: A Walk to Mt. Whitney
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded from the blazing August sun, but an otherwise great place to stop for a snack. Voices echo across cold granite as the breeze wraps around dozens of tents, backpacks, cooking stoves, and bear-proof food canisters. An unopened package of banana chips on my lap is immediately snatched up by a marmot, unhindered by my presence and unfazed by my pursuit. Here, the animals, the people, and the barren granite form a bustling community in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. The trail to Mount Whitney sees thousands of people each year, all in pursuit of the highest peak in the United States (excluding Alaska). The people crowd the trail, the animals exploit the people, and Inyo National Forest rakes in thousands of tourism dollars. They say if you want solitude, go to Antarctica. Mount Whitney is Disneyland for hikers. That's not saying Whitney should be avoided. Like Disneyland, there's a good reason crowds all congregate at one California landmark. Few other places in the world offer a well-tracked trail to 14,496 feet, where anyone with a pair of sturdy boots can trek to the top of a country, and a big one at that. Technical skills are optional on this trail, though patience and a degree of elevation tolerance is vital. The trail begins at 8,368 feet in the Whitney Portal campground, at the end of a paved road from Lone Pine. The trailhead is a maze of parking lots, which, in the summer months, are nearly always filled to capacity. This is the part of the forest where black bears rule; they bash in the windows of parked cars and steal whatever they find. So frequent are the bear burglaries that people are aggressively ticketed for leaving tempting packages in plain view. I feel relieved when I walk into the wilderness and away from bear country. From the trailhead it's over 11 miles and 6,000 vertical feet to the flat-topped summit, a gradual trail, but not for wimps. Whitebark pine forests slowly give way to exposed granite over the first 7 miles, then base camp marks a strenuous and rocky climb to Sierra Crest. I drafted my dad and his friend Tom, two avid hikers in their late 40's, up the steep section of trail affectionately called "100 switchbacks." I lose count after 75. Most hikers complete this hike as two to three-day backpacking trip, but Dad, Tom and I are going to do it in a day. Sierra Crest is marked at 13,600 feet, already higher than I have ever hiked. The elevation puts a clamp on my lungs, and I feel a vague sense of sleepiness creeping into my head, even though my heart is pumping. The trail rolls along the ridge behind sheer pinnacles. You could stumble and fall 2,000 feet, but the immaculate trail helps prevent that. Thousands of footsteps per year have worn a nice groove in the jagged mountain At this point I'm laboring up the trail, but it doesn't matter. I'm a hiker that climbs to look, not conquer. The green and gold of Sequoia stretches across the horizon. Deep blue lakes sparkle beneath a cloudless sky. From here you can almost see the depths of Death Valley - the lowest point in the United States and only 90 miles from this point. Dad and Tom are a ways ahead by the time I ascend the final slope - a gradual ramp that eventually levels off. This is the peak - flat, spacious, almost custom-designed for large capacities. A crowd of about a dozen people are scattered over the rocks. We plop next to a geographical marker - "Latitude: 36° 35' x; Longitude: 118° 17' x," it says - and fix some lunch. We have great view of Lone Pine - 13 miles east, of Yosemite national park, of the expansive Nevada desert, of the Sierra Nevadas stretching over the horizon. A strong wind whips past my head and muffles the incessant chatter. If I turn my head toward the sheer drop to the east I almost feel alone. Almost. They say if you want solitude, go elsewhere. If you want to see the spectacular top of America's biggest and brightest, go to Whitney. Directions: From Los Angeles take highway 14 to U.S. highway 395 north to Lone Pine, about 200 miles. Turn west onto Whitney Portal Rd. 13 miles to the trail head. Permits are required for this hike and are somewhat difficult to obtain. Call Inyo National Forest, Mt. Whitney District, (760) 876-6200, for more information. About The Author Jill Homer is a graphic artist and freelance travel writer currently residing in Tooele, Utah. She specializes in outdoor adventure writing. For more information please visit www.biketoshine.com or contact jill@biketoshine.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Great Indian Holidays Holidays in India, awesome in her size and diversity. This virtual sub-continent, stretches from the lofty Himalyas , a series of 2000km long mountain ranges in the north, to the extensive deserts in the west, the lush evergreen forest in the south to the far-flung sub Himalayan forests in the North East. RV Vacations: Ten Tips Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It seems like fun and you'd like to try it, but you aren't sure if it's for you. Greek Food A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of hot and cold plates known as mezedes. Soups are few but they are meals by themselves. Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear, it's good to read an online camping equipment review. There are so many camping outdoor gear products on the market today that the challenge is choosing between them. All the Way to Timbuctu Yes, it's real. There is a place called Timbuktu and it is not just an imaginary figment at the end of an exclamatory statement. Trekking in Jordan 1st day : Airport / Amman, O/N Our representative will meet clients at the Airport, arrange their Visa and transfer them to Amman, check in at one of Amman's Hotels, dinner and overnight. ( L, D)2nd day : Amman, Wadi Zarqa Ma'in, Dana Hotel Will have to start early for a walking day after your breakfast in Amman, transfer to Wadi Zarqa Ma'in: Wadi Zarqa Ma'in is supposed to be the "Valley of God" Nahaliel mentioned in the Bible as a camping place. A Review of Inflatable Boat Manufacturers There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market today. Included below is an overview of each of the key manufacturers. Camping Stove Performance: Ease of Use & What to Avoid Important information about camping stoves.. Tips for Mountain Bikers in Spain As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some important rules to follow and bike handling skills to master before subjecting yourself and your bike to the thrills and spills of off-road riding. Although most of us ride within our capabilities most of the time, riding on different trails in hot weather conditions can present a new set of challenges requiring some new biking skills and knowledge. What You Need to Know About - Camping Vacations Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your vacations. Camping basically means living in tents that are pitched on specific grounds. Calculate Food Quantities for Camping and Outdoor Recreation As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another season of camping and enjoying the fun, relaxation, and beauty that the outdoor environment has to offer. I am anxious to get out on weekends to some of my favorite campsites around Kentucky and Indiana. Cochin - Cocktails of Cultures Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's commercial capital is an anachronism. The dashing metropolitan city prides itself on a historical heritage stretching back to ancient times and embracing within its far reaching hold, cultures as diverse as Hindu, Chinese, Arab, Jewish, Syrian Christian, Portuguese, Dutch and English. Two Person Hammocks - Snuggle With Your Beau in Style How many of you take the time to just relax in a hammock? When I even think of a hammock, I just want to fall asleep. A single person hammock is great but two person hammocks are even better. Hiking from Your Own Home Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in household chores. Kayak Travel and Trips If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel, the waters and lakes are yours to explore! Mankind has always been drawn to the sea and a kayak trip is truly one of the ultimate highs as far as kayak travel is concerned. Human beings have always invented useful devices that enhance our lifestyles and kayak travel is a great and marvelous feat, which blends excitement, fun and freedom of movement in one great adventure. Your Virgin Bushwalk Isn't it time you stepped out of the concrete jungle and into a wilder world, the world of the African bushveld?This may be a major step for most metro dwellers, as the city life offers a certain sense of security, a place to dwell, free from insects and the dangers spawned from mother nature's indifference to man.What happens when the Landrover finally stops and your feet meet with the Savannah floor? Do your preconceptions of an African Safari drop away? Find out what Sabi Sabi's ultimate bush experience is all about!Ambient Sounds of the Bushveld Come AliveOn foot the intricacies of the African bushveld become apparent, the soft textures of yellowed grasslands, the smell of the earth and the ambient sounds of the bushveld come alive. Safety Tips While Walking in the Spanish Countryside Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit - including an elastic bandage, gauze pads, antiseptic cream and antihistamine tablets.Mobile Phones - Always tell at least one person where you will be walking and the estimated time you will be out. On Safari in Northern Tanzania - Back to The Sixth Day of the Creation Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled. Wild animals roam in vast areas as God intended on that sixth day of the creation. Ultralight Backpacks - The Lightest Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce your packweight most by concentrating on the "big three;" backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag. Forget those 6-pound backpacks, 9-pound tents and 5-pound sleeping bags. Dont Forget that Camping Gear Checklist Before You Leave on that Family Camping Adventure A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help you prepare and pack for that annual family camping trip. The last thing you want to remember about that camping trip is how you forgot that one piece of important gear and made the whole family unhappy.
|
| home | site map | Ocean Photography |
| © 2006 |