very interesting video. FWIW, here are my thoughts as a guy who first climbed MW at age 49 and climbed it 12 times, 10 of which were day hikes. The keys to a successful day hike of MW are (1) to get in superb hiking condition, (2) acclimate a min of 4 nights at 8,200+elevation, and (3rd), stay hydrated... I did this by living in San Diego and day hiking San Jacinto (16 miles), San Gorgonio (19) miles and hiking Baldy often. Also it helps to be experienced with high altitude, previous to MW, I skied every year at Mammoth and Colorado resorts, I have spent a lot of time above 10,000' exercising hard...Before my first MW summit I did San Jacinto 5x in 5 weeks, in addition to climbing the local 500' hill from 3 directions to make it a 1,500' hill. There is absolutely no substitute for putting in the time and effort to hike as many 10,000' high mountains as possible. Not once or twice, I would do them 5-8x before MW. San Gorgonio is a good proxy for MW, if you have any problems with SG, don't try MW. Second, you must acclimate, that doesn't mean sit in the Portal for a few nights. Better to go to Mammoth at 8,200', spend the day climbing Mammoth and hanging out at the summit at 11,053", panoramic views, food, bathrooms and a gondola ride down. Stay in Mammoth for 3 nights, then spend the 4th night at the Portal. Finally, be sure to have your water pump ready and stay hydrated. Two more tips...bring diamox and the day before the hike, take a half a pill. On the actual hike, when you get to Trail Camp, take another 1/2 diamox. When I would summit, I would take 1/2 an Excedrin Migraine, that helped ward off the headache that comes on the descent. I would NOT start at 1am, you need all the sleep you can get, I would go to sleep at 800pm and awake at 3am, depart the Portal at 4am, summit at 11am, down by 330-4pm. Starting at 1am will unnecessarily tire you out. If you can't day hike MW between 4am-6pm, then you shouldn't be trying. Final thought is hydration. You will get good at that after doing many prep hikes, experiment and find what works for you. And finally, this whole idea of "3 tips for beginners on MW" is foolish, beginners should not be on MW, don't even consider doing MW unless you have done enough prep work to be an intermediate hiker. So there you have it, the keys to a successful MW hike, it's really not that hard if you are hike hardened and in MW shape as I called it...! Good luck everyone
Wow! Thank you for this. Full of valuable information for anyone considering this hike. I appreciate you taking the time to do this and for watching. ~ Anthony
I'm an old hiker. I used to run in to people like this all of the time. This guy really lucked out. Here is my tip before you attempt to summit Whitney as a day hike; Get some experience! Hike the longest, roughest, nastiest, steepest trails that you can find, and pre-acclimatize! 14,500 feet is no joke, and staying 1 short night at the trailhead will not be enough, especially if you're starting from sea level. If you're in SoCal, you can day hike San Gorgonio a week or 2 before. It's 11,500 ft. A Baldy, via Bear Canyon, and San Jacinto, from Humber Pk., day hike leading up to that will get you ready for Gorgonio. If any of these hikes are hard for you to manage, don't attempt Whitney at all. As you can see here, it is some serious shit. I've summited 8 times total over the years, and I've day hiked the Moutaineers Route twice. I've always over-trained, and pre-acclimatized. It's important if you want to summit and then get down safely. It's a very, very long day and will test your stamina to it's limit, and maybe beyond! Also, Trekking Poles have straps on the grips for a reason, use them, or you could lose them!
@@runningformybestlife I was hoping that you didn't think I was being a dick. I really am an old hiker dude, and I really have seen some shit over the years, trust me. I'm fortunate that the mountains that I mentioned in SoCal have always been relatively near to me, and I've been hiking them since the early 70's, as well as in the Sierras. I know that others might not have a few nice 10, and 11,000ers near to them to prepare for a Whitney hike. I understand. Pre-acclimatizing is so important, esp if you're attempting a one day round trip. About the trekking poles; I once saw a heavily laden backpacker lose his $250 Leki's while crossing a raging Meysan Creek. He wasn't wearing the straps. I felt bad for him. He was solo, and his pack was huge. I still have my beat up 20yo Leki Makalus. I never hit the trail without them! Be safe and smart!
I live at 9300’, in Colorado, and have already hiked some out in Utah, will be doing some hikes here, and hopefully, I can do longs peak before Whitney on august 5th.
Whitney tips for beginning hikers : Beginning hikers should not be attempting Whitney. Get experience elsewhere on a simpler trail. Approach Whitney in stages - don't try to defeat it in one visit. Hike the non-permit section first (to Lone Pine Lake). Next acquire a permit for a day, and hike to a pre-determined destination such as Mirror Lake or Trail Camp. Trail Camp is 12,000 ft, and a difficult day-hike by itself. Each time you will get a feel for the physical requirements of the trail. When you finally determine to summit, nothing will be a surprise, and you will be prepared physically and mentally. I visited Whitney for several consecutive years before deciding to summit. During that time I was also hiking other lesser mountains to condition my legs and acclimate to high altitude. My first summit attempt was successful with no unpleasant surprises or mishaps (apart from some rainy weather, which should not be a surprise). I did all of this alone. Whitney is not a scary or exceptionally difficult trail - it is simply long and arduous. For my 4th and final summit, I took a friend who was a beginner. We spent a year prior conditioning on all the hikes I did to prepare. She did fine and summited ahead of me, and in better condition.
WONDERFUL!!! So many great nuggets of wisdom here. Thank you so much for providing those for the community. I appreciate you for watching and taking the time to write this. ~Anthony
@@hyenaswine Start time depends on your pace. 4 am worked perfect for me. I reached Lone Pine Lake at day break, thus completing the familiar part of the trail in the dark. The rest of the hike I could see and enjoy the scenery. I summit around noon and spend 40 mins. on the summit. That leaves 7 hours of daylight to go down. I still have time to grab some dinner at a restaurant in town before 9pm. That makes for a 16 hr day hike, which is a little longer than average.
Oh Anthony, thank you for sharing your journey with us. I was on pins and needles the entire time while watching. You did a great job taking us along. I screamed a couple of times. I'm so very grateful to God that you made it back safely. You're absolutely amazing. Congratulations!
I’m so proud of you, Anthony! Thank you for your transparency and sharing lessons learned. God was good to send you the help you needed when you needed it!
I've been to the top 3 times and another 2 I had to quit and go down because conditions were very sketchy. I find that 4 days on trail is better. First night at the Portal, second night at Outpost camp third at trail camp. That next day get up at 3-4 am to summit before the winds start. After you summit come back to trail camp spend the night and hike back to the Portal rested and ready for one of their famous burgers and a beer! Glad you made it back man! you may not have made it if you had not kept moving! P.S. One thing to ad to your list is ALWAYS ask the forest rangers for trail conditions BEFORE you go. And invest in a In-Reach or some kind of SOS signaling device.
Thanks Eric for sharing! Sounds like youvye experienced both the ups and downs(no pun intended) of that behemoth. I think a 4 day trip is a wise choice. I may have to do that if I decide to take it on again. A few others also mentioned the In-Reach. Will definitely have to invest in that. Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.🙏😀
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I summited about 3 weeks ago and if it wasn't for my friend, I probably would have passed out and fallen asleep. I was exhausted! Its a tough mountain to climb especially the altitude. Thanks again, God continue to bless you.
CONGRATULATIONS on surviving that behemoth!! I’m so glad you made it back safely. I totally underestimated it. I know for next time to be better prepared. I’m sure there was a lotta snow when you went up there I’m assuming. That would definitely add to the challenge. Did you also do it in one day? ~ Anthony
I climbed it to from east to west John Muir trail 11 days,, loved it, looks like you got married in Newport Beach harbor, on the mark Twain style paddle boat ,,I did too small world thanks for the video I did it in 1990 had only 1 pic , got to remember it again thank you
Hahaha yup sure did. You’re observant. Congratulations on your journey. I’m so happy this video helped you reminisce of a beautiful hike. Thanks for watching.
My comments are made as a former paratrooper, Ranger Qualified, and multiple wilderness survival courses and ascents of several mountains. I have ascended Whitney and Kilimanjaro to name two. Here are other mistakes you made: 1. You left too late. 4am was way too late to summit and return back down in daylight. The easiest part of the trail is the ascent. It can be done at night. You want to descend in daylight if for no other reason you’re tired and more prone to injury or getting lost; 2. You failed to take wet weather gear. Mountains produce their own weather patterns. Never ascend a mountain without rain weather gear as hypothermia is the biggest killer. One can easily die of hypothermia if wet at 40 degrees. I would never spend any time outdoors without some form of poncho. Always assume you will have to stay the night due to unforeseen injury or getting lost. Take emergency food too, and Tylenol (aspirin will prevent blood clotting if injured- so use Tylenol). Always carry a candle, matches for immediate warmth. Cover yourself with a poncho, light sterno or candle underneath poncho, toasty warm). 3. You failed to take backup lighting. Your life literally depends on you ascending or descending in darkness. So you need good lighting. Never trust your life to one headlamp. Always take two plus an emergency flashlight. Last, never go alone. Actually three are better. If someone gets hurt, one can go for aid while the other tends the wounded.
Fantastic tips!! Thank you so much for the well written and thought out response. This will definitely help others who watch. Appreciate that you took the time to do this. ~ Anthony
My respect for you and your determination. It’s never a good or bad decision- it is always a lesson learned. Thank you for tour transparency and bravery! Love your post
Oh wow! Thank you so much. This made my day. I really appreciate that. Yes, that trip definitely taught me some wonderful lessons. Looking forward to trying it again one day.🤗 Be on the lookout for a reaction video in July I’ll be doing in honor of its upcoming one year anniversary.😀👍
I carry a Incrediwear ankle brace in my pack just in case. And I ware my knee braces. Nice video. Thank you for sharing. We are planning on doing it in July 2025 Happy hiking I recommend doing big pine lakes. It's another good hike
Glad you made it! Had to laugh, "I don't know whether I'll be using these..."... Hiking sticks are a necessity/Godsend for any hike, especially one as arduous as this. I'm sure you ended up grateful to have the one left!
Wow Anthony, I just got done watching your video. I’m actually sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking about you and your journey. This past February, I took my son with me to hike to the top of upper Yosemite falls. It’s only about a seven or 8 mile hike with almost 3000 feet of elevation gain, but it was in the snow and ice. Because of the conditions, it took us about 10 hours, and that last part was in the dark with our headlamps. I can’t imagine doing that hike alone, but there were times when it got really sketchy and I was worried for my son. I was so happy to see you reach the summit. Then all of a sudden your video goes dark and you talk about how late it’s getting. And how no one has heard from you. I just started weeping thinking about it. Thinking about how worried your family must’ve been and the fact that your wife was in the car waiting for you. There’s so many things that can go wrong on a hike that magnitude with all the loose rocks and ruggedness and fatigue. I’m just so grateful that you made it and shared this video with us. It’s definitely a reminder to understand your limits and never go alone and that it’s OK to turn around at any point during the hike and decide you’ll do it again another day. No shame there. Again, thank you for the video. It brought back a lot of good memories of hikes I’ve taken. But reminded me to be prepared when I take on my next challenges. God bless you, sir.
Oh my goodness! This comment made my day! 😀Thank you so much, Anthony. It makes my heart happy to learn when one of my creations brings value to others. Loved that this was able to help you reminisce on your adventure with your son. I am so glad to hear it worked out. For a while, I said I would not do this again, but I am starting to get the itch to give it another go. This time with a group and definitely prepare for it more seriously. Haha Thank you so much for watching. Cheering you on from afar ~ Anthony
Hi Anthony. Great achievement. Keep on hiking, its great for your heart and health. Perhaps a GPS might help for some hikes if you lose your sense if direction, although you've probably learned enough about this hike to not need it if you decide to do it again. Thanks for a great video.
Yeah, I have heard that suggestion many times, but always a good reminder. Thank you for the kind words. It was an experience I will never forget. Still on the fence if I will do it again. Thanks for watching. ~ Anthony
Um, the cautionary advice at the end of the tube is FAR from complete.🤨 CLOTHING: A beanie and gloves as the warm layers? Give me a break! Lucky he didn't have a windstorm or other weather super chill his bucket list brain! Experienced peak baggers carry the MINIMUM wind shell, long pants and a puffy or fleece top. WATER: You need LOTS of water to do that hike in one day. Stay hydrated! Dehydration, not altitude, is probably the root of all of his mishaps. There is no water above Trail Camp. He should of carried at least 3 liters water from there to the peak, given his total planned mileage. FOOD: Maybe he brought some - I didn't see any on the table. That alone can explain the exhaustion drama. Minimum 2000 calories for this jaunt. EXTRA BATTERIES: Just in case, right? HEAD GEAR: A BB cap worn backwards looks cute on little boys, or de rigor for frat boy keggers. In high altitude sun it is what gets your brain fried and makes you wander off trail and stumble about. Wear your cap properly; better yet wear a brimmed hat SLOW DOWN! That ankle wasn't the result of a simple misstep. He likely was moving at too quick of a pace, in order to generate the force it takes to sprain an ankle and get that level of swelling. Moving at speed on a rough trail while exhausted is a great way to get hurt. Need I say more? HEAD LAMP LOCATION: Move the head lamp from your head to your shirt pocket or waist band or hand, to get better depth perception. When the light is positioned next to your eyes, it is more difficult to have depth perception, because the shadows cast by the light are mostly directly behind the objects, not visible in the sightline of your eyes. Repositioning the light, so your eyes and the light aren't sharing the same sightline will minimize this issue. PRIORITIES: Emphasis should be on getting down safely, not meeting some arbitrary schedule. He probably could have gotten back quicker if he took his time, and not hurt himself. Take whatever the amount of time is required to be in control of your moment to moment movements. You may get there late, but you'll be in one piece. PLAY THE ODDS: The vast majority of mishaps on the Whitney Trail result from folks forcing a 2-3 hike into a single day. Just because others did it does not mean you can too. Don't let bucket list mentality get you in over your head. Things could have been so much worse, Anthony was lucky he didn't fall off a cliff.
Going up is optional...coming down is mandatory. Always set a drop dead turn-around time and stick to it...for safety, use the same time estimate for coming down as going up...it is really not much faster on the way down. When trying to bag a peak, remember that sometimes it's a summit hike and sometimes it's a mountain hike...both are good. Thank you for sharing and teaching. Also for you all hikers new to trekking poles...please get instruction on how to use them...especially on the proper use of the straps which can be a little counterintuitive. Used correctly, not only do they provide stabilization, but will provide "mecanical advantage" that will let your arms give you about a 40% boost to your stride.
Hi Patrick! It’s funny you mention the drop dead turn around. I actually ran into folks during the hike that mentioned they weren’t within their time frame and had to turn around before reaching the summit. That is such a great tip. You are absolutely right about getting instructions on trekking poles before using them. I neglected to do that. I possibly could have saved my pole if I would have. Lesson learned.👍 Thanks for watching and for your incredible super comment with great advice. This video is coming up on its one year anniversary soon and I want to do a reaction video to it in honor of that. Since I haven’t watched it since publishing it, it will be fun to give some behind the scenes info about it. So be on the lookout for that. ~ Anthony
Did this day hike in 2020. Almost didn't get to because Covid shutdowns, then there was an earthquake that displaced boulders on the trail, then the week i was there, was amidst fires. It was an amazing day. Magical would best describe it. The partners you choose are critical. I agree with a previous comment that if you have not summited by noon-1:00pm, you need to consider a turn around. When you showed the video from Trail Camp, and i could see the "Needles" in the background, i thought "Man, you are still a long way from the top." When we set out, my main goal was to only have to wear a headlamp ONCE. You need to be on that trail by 3-4 am at the latest. Leaving the summit by 1pm for best results. What good is it to be surrounded by all that beauty when you cant see it. So glad you were able to salvage the trip and get out safe. Not everyone is so fortunate. *One of the reasons to be at the top by noon is- the Air Force Base is not far away, and they are known to "buzz" the peak in fighter jets. So cool.
Wow! I didn’t know that about the fighter jets. I’d love to have seen that. Glad you had a good trip. Definitely learned a lot from that “adventure”. I appreciate you for watching and your feedback. ~ Anthony
Hi Anthony. Thanks for your video, I really liked it. I would like to get to the top of Mt. Whitney some day. I did a lot of backpacking when I was 40 with my wife. I am now 72. She can no longer backpack. I would like to hike to the top, but I have no one crazy enough to do it with me. I appreciate your desire to be part of a group. It certainly is safer and less lonely. What I would really like to do is start in Yosemite and come down from the north. 200+ miles. John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Probably over a month's time. I have to get into a lot better aerobic shape than I'm currently in. The farthest trip I did was the 50 mile West Coast trail in Vancouver, CA. Also 5 days - 30 miles through the Grand Canyon. Neither of those have any altitude problems. Slogging up the Grand Canyon 7 miles with a 40 lb pack was a drudge, but really not all that hard. Plenty of H20 was the key to that. It was 95 degrees. We also spent 5 days in the Wind River Mts in Wyoming. That was a bit tough with a 60 lb. pack. We brought heavy clothing and needed every stitch of it! The Wind Rivers are notorious for nasty weather and we survived an ice storm at 9,500 ft during the night. In the morning there was a sheet of ice covering our tent. But I recommend the Wind Rivers as the scenery is unbelievably spectacular and not many people get up there. I did run into a little bit of heart palpitations at 10,000 ft. I had done strength and endurance training before I hiked up there. But with Whitney at 14,500+ ft, I would think the altitude would be more of a problem. I need to do a lot of aerobic training. I hear that is the best thing to do to prepare for high altitude hiking. Also that is one reason I would want to start in the North. It would give me a month to acclimate. I am seriously impressed that you got to the top of Whitney and back in one day - that's 44 miles! Yikes! Awesome! I am so glad you put in the timing it took in your video. What time did you start back down? I also have been caught by the dark descending a mountain and it certainly ups the stress level. Its dangerous. Bless the Lord you caught up with another group. I always take 2 headlamps + batteries on a hike now. My wife and I led a family group down from a mountain once in the dark. The poor children were crying. I led the group with my headlamp and my wife headed up the rear. At one point I walked right off the trail into the brush. My wife yelled at me that I went off trail and I followed her voice to get back. After 2 hours we finally got back to the parking lot without any injuries. There was a ranger there who said:"Thank God you found these people and got them down. I didn't really want to start a search and rescue in the dark. You were my last hope." Yes - we all need to help each other.
Wow!!! Such beautiful stories here Mando. I am so sorry for the lateness of this response. Sounds like you and your wife have had some amazing adventures. So happy to hear you guys were able to help out that family. I started heading back down at 4pm. Waaaay too late. One of the scariest experiences of my life and I am so thankful that I found that group of hikers. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful comment. ~ Anthony
Believe it or not spend a week at elevation. Train in advance. During that week take some day hikes and try to get some altitude in. Spending one night at the portal wont do it. Even 3-4 days will help.
Thank you for sharing the realities. I’ll be there in august via the JMT, starting there going northbound and but coming up from Horseshoe Meadows and the PCT. I’ve been training since I got the permit, but can’t get high until the snow melts. This was such a good video. You started so confident, prepared and enjoying your day up. I truly didn’t know what to expect other than something as your title left a bit of a clue. Ive night hiked before because of a wrong trail situation and though the trail was in excellent condition, I was going miles down steep terrain and when I came to a place I could camp, I collapsed and could barely set my tent up, never mind dinner, and I wasn’t even injured. Kudos to you. Perhaps you could try another spectacular Sierra mountain pass, not as steep, but just as beautiful for your next adventure.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate that. I went in there extremely confident and it humbled me. Even though it didn’t go as planned it was a great experience for the next time I try a hike like that. Thanks for watching and commenting! ~ Anthony
I think you've perhaps learned what to many can be a surprising lesson- coming down is often far far harder than going up. I was immediately alarmed when you said it was as late as 4pm when you reached the summit. If you can remember where you missed the trail coming down, I would report it to the park authorities with a suggestion for signage in.those places. I'm from the UK and when I climbed our highest mountain (Ben Nevis) it took me four hours to get to the top, but five gruelling hours to get back down. And this mountain is only just over 4000 ft high! Like Mount Whitney is has a marked well defined path to the top. But please don't beat yourself up for wanting to make this climb. As for your good advice at the end of the video, I would add one thing- practice on some lower, easier mountains before tackling Mount Whitney.
This mountain definitely humbled me. I did only a few hikes prior to this, but assuming since I have done multiple marathons beforehand would make that hike easier was a huge mistake. Lesson learned for sure. I haven't been back since, but I am hoping the trail is clearly visible now. I did this shortly after thy had an earthquake and a lot of the trail had debris. Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to watch and comment. Truly appreciated. ~ Anthony
I’m over in Simi, getting into trail running, converting over from hiking. Whitney is no joke, it is more time spent at high altitude than any other local training hike (Jacinto, Baldy, Grogonio, Langley, White). I failed my first attempt, I tried a 38 mile backside route with 26 mi first day to Guitar Lake. I actually had to go up to trail crest and go down w/o summiting lol. I went back a month later and did it in a day the normal way. Now that I am doing the ultra training I am curious how I would do in a day and perhaps my first failed route in a day as well.
Thanks for sharing. I am curious also. Funny you mention this, because while I was hiking I remember a few guys running back down as I was going up. One of them stopped and chatted for minute. All he had was running shorts on and a little bottle of water. He said he runs up and down Whitney every week as a training run. I was blown away!!
@@runningformybestlife that is a person definitely experienced but also willing to take risk. I personally would never do Whitney w/o gear to survive the night if I broke an ankle. That means bigger water carries as well. I also always carry an inReach and text my wife at set check-ins, those text automatically include gps location automatically. This stuff is no joke, I met Bob Gregory while hiking Langley, spent the day talking to him, he was dead less than a year later going up Islip here in LA. If looking for a safe but mountainous run to train for, Kodiak ultramarathon 50k follows this general trail called Skyline (iirc) up in Big Bear, the trail is never far from a fire road and lots of bikers, 4x4’s, etc around. As long as there wasn’t snow it’d be fine. Lots of cell coverage but not 100%.
Dude this is great stuff . And wow look at the views . Love it man really love it . Oh man Iv been lost on a few hikes and it’s not fun once the light goes . Glad ypur safe
Here are my 3 tips for beginning hikers attempting to hike mt. Whitney- #1- don’t do it. #2- don’t do it, you knucklehead! #3- have you done a 10mile hike with at least 4000 feet elevation gain? Are you used to hiking with a heavy pack? Do you have a good map and the right gear? If you answered “no” to any of these questions then- don’t do it you knucklehead!!!
Thanks for your video. The first time I attempted to summit Whitney via the main trail. I made it to trail crest & made the decision to turn back , for a variety of reasons ( blisters, exhaustion & running out of daylight). I remembered your video & with no regrets turned around. I changed some things ( socks & I left earlier) And I was able to Summit 2 weeks later ! Had it not been for your video I may have kept going and had some serious problems returning. So for that thanks . Since then I’ve summited Whitney again , in November in winter conditions. Currently training to do the Mountaineer’s route , made one attempt. Going to do it again this month.
Oh my goodness, Alex! This truly made my day and reminds me why I started this channel, to help others! (Even through my numerous mistakes! haha) I am so happy my experience helped you make the wise decision of turning around. I sure wish I did that. And then to make adjustments and do it successfully within two weeks. Amazing!! Wishing you many more successful adventures. Thanks again for the comment. Sorry for not having more hiking vids for you. I learned that having a well marked course is a safer bet for me. Haha ~ Anthony
I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely try to get better shots next time. By the time I got up there all I was concerned about was getting back down before it got too late.
Well, (I suspect that is a personal call- more than the hand of God touching a shoulder kinda thing. Have been to the top twice in '87 and my take on the view, panoramically, was it was okay but along the trail many areas offered far more spectacular sights.(to me) The shelter and signing the summits sign-in-sheet was memorial and having pics/video perhaps of plaques and inside the shelter were more to remember later and document the moment to me, but honestly my take was not a breathtaking sight as you might think once you reach the top and see the Owens Valley floor off in the distance and only as far as weather conditions permits in each direction. The hike and the personal accomplishment of summiting (just at the top...seemed my thing...seeing the shelter and signing that register was my reward at the top) ...no Chock-full of Nuts can with a friends cremated remains secretly stashed away in a rock crevice at Whitney's peak or a momentous family photo, or a loved one suffering or passed on perhaps preserved under a stone. But at the end after the moment passes and time elapses it still is what was in the hiker's heart. Told later is like passing a baton in a relay race with meaning and purpose and how that next person will carry it to do likewise and maybe pass it onto another...thus legends grow and are told of something significant Anthony's Whitney hike meant a lot as he stirred this conversation comment as to why, to me, it was a good Summit. And had he not would make it no less. Said coming from a man who was there on that peak and now gets it 35 years later. The climber and the climb is in the heart of the person who felt it was important. And that works for me. It is what measures and marks who we all are. At the peak of all Whitney peaks we summit in life. 2 pics, one pic, no pics or perhaps a 60min narrated video that is shared later. Maybe you are right. But I think Anthony got all he needed at Whitney's Summit. If not sure he'll be back. 😅
I came to watch this after seeing our 2020 highlights video. This was definitely a highlight. Glad you came back safe. You're right. Family and relationships are what is important. Not goals or views. I'm sure you already knew that but when an experience like this happens it makes them even more important than ever.
Oh definitely. Whenever I start concerning myself about those things I think back to this experience and remind myself what is important. I look forward to doing it again, but with a group and overnight. haha Thanks for checking it out. :)
Anthony, wow, Wow, WOW! I still remain impressed by your fortitude to push through. One of my biggest issues when mountain hiking is the embarrassment of being helivaced out.. and I assure you there have been a number of times I've been close to needing it! Still, I thank YOU and your family for letting us join you on your journey of a lifetime. I know there will be more challenges for you. There's no stopping you. You've definitely got the bug! As for your family... they haven't seen the last of your adventures. In much admiration, your fan, Brenda.
Brenda Avadian oh my goodness Brenda!! You are the best. I absolutely loved your various thoughts throughout the segment of the video you watched. Your welcome. It was my pleasure sharing it.❤️
@@runningformybestlife :-) Big SMILE for you and your family, Anthony. I hope your ankle is healing fast. I am inspired to do Mt. Whitney in September of next year. Let's see how life unfolds. Letting you know in case you want to do it again. I may do Mt. Langley instead - just to the south. Another 14er at 14,034. In fact, Mt. Langley will be my back-up plan if I don't get a Mt. Whitney permit for Sept 2021.
@@runningformybestlife I purchased a Garmin Inreach GPS map 66i and it is not a watch. This has the two way text messaging available for the Iridium satellite network. My wife can see where I am in pretty much real time as long as she has access to the internet. Here is a link to what I have buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/623975 and it provides excellent two way text messaging plus an excellent mapping capability.
This, money well spent. I bought a 66i first, it has InReach capability and was great, but turned out to be overkill for almost all of my trips. I bought a Mini 2 before I did Whitney last month, and it is amazing. In addition to the weight savings, you can message directly between devices. The idea was to leave the 66i with my wife the portal campground so that I could keep in touch while I had my solo. It worked fantastic. The other thing I did was setup a MapShare page for anyone who was interested to watch the hike online, which also worked out.
Thank you! Yes, I am very thankful that I did also. I will definitely be going with a group the next time I take it on. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
Me and a buddy are starting to take hiking more seriously and our goal is to do whitney as our end of year goal (we live in LA) then the rest of the cool hikes in the states. Thanks for the tips we will definitely learn!
That’s fantastic!! What a great experience that will be for you guys. I’m so happy my tips helped you on this new journey of yours. I’m from the LA area also. Have you done Baden or Baldy yet?
Such a wonderful channel, I watched your content and I have a BIG SMILE on my face. I immediately clicked the LIKE 👍 92 & 🔔🔔🔔. Take care and keep posting my dear friend! 💗💗
Dude, congrats. It’s asking a lot from anyone to do Whitney in one day. I’ve climbed it about 7 times from 3 different directions, but NEVER as a 1 dayer. That came into fashion mostly when the hike got too popular and they had to start the lottery. But rolling an ankle on the downclimb ! That is cringeworthy, as was your photo of it. I’m glad you found your trail angels. There’s still good folks in the world.
Thank you for the kind words Charles and for watching. That ankle injury was definitely a product of me rushing. I should have took my time, but I was overthinking it. Wow. 7 times. That’s amazing! Maybe one day you do it one day. (Hopefully with a better experience than mine.🤣)
@@runningformybestlife 7 times but we’re talking over a couple decades. First time was senior year of high school (class of ‘71) last time was when a slightly older glider pilot friend of mine tuned 60 (11yrs ago).
Wow 5 times. That is a bad ankle sprain. They say that sometimes a twisted ankle is worse than a broken one. It's amazing that you were able to push through that. I've seen people who have twisted their ankle much less then that and they call it quits for like a month smh. You have a great mentality 👏🏾
Wow, what an adventure! So happy you got through and back safely, it is amazing how easily getting lost can happen, I can relate somewhat had a similar adventure several years ago with a small group we had to get search and rescue to get us out once we found a spot where we could get a weak signal. The information you share from your experience is so valuable, nothing like the voice of experience to help others. The views you captured were amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us Anthony! Enjoy your weekend with your loved ones 🙏
Running For My Best Life Yes we were fortunate to make it right at the brink of darkness. We really thought we would be spending the night in the woods, And we were not dressed for a Canadian fall night. It was at Mount Tremblant in Quebec. I suppose we can both say we have someone watching over us with loving kindness😇 have a great week Anthony!
One of the times I did Whitney I remember as we were coming down in the dark we got off the trail near Lone Pine Lake. It's a real pain to realize you need to back-track. I remember also that in the dark you had to go kind of slow to avoid tripping over rocks and roots not to mention staying on the trail. Definitely need a head-lamp and maybe extra batteries.
Not sure if "more the merrier" is always the best. The more people go, the more likely at least one person is going to have issues. It could be altitude sickness, sprains, falls. Two or three might be best.
I went up there June 20th 2019. There was was so much more snow and ice. Amazing to see it with much less. I went up from the PCT side which had its own challenges.
Whoa, really?! I was shocked by all the snow I saw in July. I actually met a guy at the top that came from the PCT side. If my memory serves me right, he was on like a month long excursion and the top of Whitney was one of his stops. But I was a bit foggy when I got there so I might be wrong. Haha Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking us along on your trek. Definitely gave me food for thought about hiking alone. Great job and glad you made it back to your family in one piece.
Your big mistake was not properly determining your hiking pace. You took too much time going up. You must be able to approximate your time up and down to determine a reliable turn-around time from the summit. Typical turn-around time on Whitney is between 12 - 1:30 pm. That also accommodates the afternoon rainstorms that regularly blow in. If you want to take a more casual relaxed pace up the mountain, you must leave earlier in the morning. This is why 1st timers should hike the trail in stages to determine their pace and time on the trail. Then you can reliably determine a safe start time. Your rush to the bottom is probably what caused your mishaps. Except for the length of time you took to the summit, your trip up was flawless. You should have started at 1 or 2 am.
Completely agree!! Great advice to those trying it for the first time. I remember some folks turning around saying they didn't get to where they wanted to in time. At the time, I didn't understand. A few hours later I did. Thank you so much for watching and for providing some wisdom.
Beautiful views leading to mirror lake. Thank you, Anthony for taking time to shoot and then produce and share this video with us while we sit in the comfort of our homes. I am still inspired by your solo trek. I am also inspired by your different video shoots - which means, you had to return to pick up your camera (ref: ~ 8:30 mark). What? No food for the marmot? LOL (I never feed them otherwise, they'll be a nuisance.) Your appetite is much better than mine. You say, "I'll stop and have a sandwich." I typically eat very little as I don't have the appetite and digesting takes energy away from my hiking. Ahhh, we're each so different. Hey, no gloves for The Cables? OUCH! Okay. I'll continue watching from 13 minutes to hear about the "hard lesson" you learned. Again, thank you, Anthony for such a cool video and for sharing it with us.
Brenda Avadian you’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far. Those marmots are all over. Cute little guys. 😀 Yeah, stopping to get my camera a few times definitely slowed me down. Haha
Hi Anthony just watched your videos and ohh my God am so glad that I got to see this… am just from Whitney and unfortunately couldn’t make it. Me and my friend started at 3:45am and by the time we reached the Trail Camp it was almost 11am. I was doing good with Altitude and my self apart from just being slow and it was my first time to use crampons which I didn’t try them prior to my hike and it just made it worse. I had to make a tough decision at that point that am turning back I understand I totally disappointed my friend but I feel it was the best decision for both of us, and now after watching both of your videos am so proud of myself doing that else I feel we would have ended into the worse. We also got lost (off trail) couple of times going up and coming down. But definitely a good experience and got to learn a lot. Am so motivated to hike this again and which I will someday but definitely with more intense training and well prepared. Thank you so much for the Amazon video. Add on to this….. you can do voice over and not say things while recording that also helps.
Hi Munira! Thanks for watching and for sharing about your adventure. So glad to hear you were wiser than I about turning back before it got too late. There will be other opportunities and now you know exactly what to expect. I am so glad you found this video so helpful. Thank you for the voiceover tip. I made this video in the early stages of my content creation journey and doing a voice over was way beyond my skill level at the time. haha. Cheering you on from afar!!
Yesterday (October 10) was the 33rd anniversary of my first time on top.. I've been on top 6 times , 3 with others, 3 times solo, but never really alone. I've done it from Whitney Portal 3 times, twice from Onion Valley (Kearsarge Pass) and once from Horseshoe Meadow (Cottonwood Pass). Coming down from Trail Camp on my last visit I did manage to miss a switchback and had to scramble a bit, but usually the trail is easy to follow. My most recent visit was in 2012... prior to that was September 12, 2001(the trip from Horseshoe Meadow). Nice video. My only nit to pick is that the summit is not as large as you presented ;-). You're not really on the mountain until you've passed Keeler Needle (the summit to the left of Mt Whitney when you view it from Lone Pine), and the actual summit is maybe 4 or 5 acres? As you've recommended, novice hikers should definately not go alone and make it an overnight trip at minimum. Sunrises at Trail Camp can be magical.
Wow! You have a vast knowledge of that behemoth! Loved hearing about your numerous adventures. Thank you so much for the feedback and the kind words. I appreciate that. Are you going to do it again?
@@runningformybestlife Probably :-D One of my wishes it to do the Pacific Crest Trail before I get too much older, and since the PCT passes so close to Whitney it is a very popular side-hike. I did a 17-day trip from Kennedy Meadows South to Tuolumne Meadows in 2004 and started up to the summit from Crabtree Meadow. I turned back at Timberline Lake, tho. Too many sad memories from the previous visit (2001). My last visit to the summit in 2012 was a bit tough emotionally .
@@gregall2178 Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. I truly appreciate it. I hope you get to do the PCT soon. I would love hear about it when you do. Good luck and keep on going! Anthony
My tips for you, if you want to hike Mt Whitney. Train well at home. Get to Lone Pine early and do some acclimation hikes. Horseshoe Meadows and Lone Pine Lake are great hikes. And then do the hike in two days, not just one. Stay the night at Trailside Camp, leave your stuff there, and pack it up on they way out. This way, you will actually enjoy your hike, not just suffer through it.
Haha! I'm glad it came up. This video, as you see, was the biggest challenge to make, but so worth. it. I love the memories. It was a scary experience, but I learned a lot. It taught me to truly appreciate my loved ones. Did ya see the guy sleeping on the edge in the cable scene. Crazy! Thanks for checking this out. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I have yet to upload my videos when I summit in July 2022, I tried in August 2016 and had to come down from Outpost Camp with mountain sickness, not enough water intake and being overweight ruined it for me. In 2022 I was there from July 1 through 4, conquered July 3, but that time around had lost 31 pounds and hydrated every 50 to 100 paces, still was very hard and I took my time, on the switchbacks remember wanting to quit too; it took me around 5 hours to reach Outpost then next day like another 7 to Trail and next day starting at 6.15am took me 12 hours to get to summit or close! I summit at 5.40 pm, had the summit to myself which was very rewarding, started my descent at 6.20pm, reached the switchbacks at nightfall, 8.00pm and back at Trail Camp midnight July 4th, the switchback section alone was the most difficult I remember up and down, the way down was in the dark, had my lamp but was the only soul on the trail that day, there was a section I hesitated to cross for half hour because I felt I would fall from the trail and almost entered in panic thinking I would have to sleep the night there and wait until morning but after gathering some composure managed to cross it safely and kept going down, I counted them as I was going down; yes they are 99 of them! was completely exhausted when I reached Trail Camp and thought my gear was gone as it took me some time to find my tent; luckily everything was as I left it so after eating light meal went to bed around 2.00am and got some relieve and well deserved rest; after waking up around 10 am descended around 1 pm and reached portal at 6 pm July 4th, would I do it again? I hope so! but I do not think I would ever attempt it as a day hike; there are 11 miles up and then down, it is HARD, even for well prepared hikers but the views are incredible and if one has the time, gear, training and drive it is totally worth it, there is nothing like it in terms of pushing your endurance and so rewarding when completed!
Wow!! What an adventure. Yeah, those 99 switchbacks are no joke. Congratulations on completing that beast of a hike. I am still undecided if I would do it again. Thanks for sharing your experience with the community.
My husband and I summitted Mt. Whitney 5 times. First time, we did it in two days, overnighting at Outpost. The second time, we did it in 3 days, overnighting at Outpost, second night at Trailside and day 3, pushed to the top then back to Trailside to pack our tents and hike out. Third time, we did it in 2 days again. And the last two times, we hiked it in one. It really took us those first three trips to know what we were getting into and train hard to be able to do it in one day. Kudos to you getting to the top and out again in one trip. But I would add a couple of tips to your list: If you haven’t made it to the top by 1:00 PM, seriously consider turning around. No goal is worth dying for. Tip number two: always carry aspirin with you. Not so much for pain relief but to dilate your blood vessels and allow more oxygen to reach your brain (and tired muscles). Tip number 3: always carry a couple of tablets of Niacin (B3) with you. Weather is unpredictable on high mountains and if it turns freezing cold suddenly, the Niacin can give you a flush of heat that can help you keep moving. Stay safe.
Wow!! What a journey you guys went through. Love that you kept at it. Sounds like you guys are experts now. Fantastic! Love those additional tips. Those will be a big help for those thinking of doing it. Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching. ~ Anthony
My altitude hiking experience was running the Pikes Peak Ascent trail race four times. It’s 13 miles and 8,000 feet elevation change to the top. Then there’s a sweet bus ride back to Manitou Springs. I trained hard, enough to run a marathon, and traveled to Colorado a few days early to acclimatize by driving the highway to the top a couple of times and taking acetazolamide to help my blood chemistry. Exercise at altitude is no joke. So I sympathize. Hiking with a buddy is a great insurance policy against getting injured and needing help. Hindsight is 20/20.
Thank you for this video! It brought back memories of my solo trip about 25 years ago, when I had a similar experience. I came up the mountaineer's route, and down the main trail. I didn't summit until after 5:00 pm, and it was October. The effects of the exertion and altitude and lack of oxygen results in some disorientation. I lost a glove a couple miles from the summit and lost my map after I came down the switchbacks, which I had to negotiate by moonlight. I too got off trail twice in the dark. The second time I found myself at Lone Pine Lake, but I did not know where I was because I lost my map. Around 1:00 am I decided to bivouac at the lake with no tent. In the morning I found the main trail and made it back to my car safely. But my poor wife was so worried when she did not hear from me and called for a search, which was just about to start when I finally called her the next morning. That experience led me to rethink some of my solo trips, because I did not want to put my family through that again. Be safe out there!
Whoa!! What a scary experience! Sheesh, that's crazy that you were able to keep going on by moonlight. I remember turning off my headlamp at times and it being pitch dark. Yeah, it definitely humbled me for sure. I will never again take on a mountain hike solo. Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Incredible.
Hi Anthony. Thanks for your video, I really liked it. I would like to get to the top of Mt. Whitney some day. I did a lot of backpacking when I was 40 with my wife. I am now 72. She can no longer backpack. I would like to hike to the top, but I have no one crazy enough to do it with me. I appreciate your desire to be part of a group. It certainly is safer and less lonely. What I would really like to do is start in Yosemite and come down from the north. 200+ miles. John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Probably over a month's time. I have to get into a lot better aerobic shape than I'm currently in. The farthest trip I did was the 50 mile West Coast trail in Vancouver, CA. Also 5 days - 30 miles through the Grand Canyon. Neither of those have any altitude problems. Slogging up the Grand Canyon 7 miles with a 40 lb pack was a drudge, but really not all that hard. Plenty of H20 was the key to that. It was 95 degrees. We also spent 5 days in the Wind River Mts in Wyoming. That was a bit tough with a 60 lb. pack. We brought heavy clothing and needed every stitch of it! The Wind Rivers are notorious for nasty weather and we survived an ice storm at 9,500 ft during the night. In the morning there was a sheet of ice covering our tent. But I recommend the Wind Rivers as the scenery is unbelievably spectacular and not many people get up there. I did run into a little bit of heart palpitations at 10,000 ft. I had done strength and endurance training before I hiked up there. But with Whitney at 14,500+ ft, I would think the altitude would be more of a problem. I need to do a lot of aerobic training. I hear that is the best thing to do to prepare for high altitude hiking. Also that is one reason I would want to start in the North. It would give me a month to acclimate. I am seriously impressed that you got to the top of Whitney and back in one day - that's 44 miles! Yikes! Awesome! I am so glad you put in the timing it took in your video. What time did you start back down? I also have been caught by the dark descending a mountain and it certainly ups the stress level. Its dangerous. Bless the Lord you caught up with another group. I always take 2 headlamps + batteries on a hike now. My wife and I led a family group down from a mountain once in the dark. The poor children were crying. I led the group with my headlamp and my wife headed up the rear. At one point I walked right off the trail into the brush. My wife yelled at me that I went off trail and I followed her voice to get back. After 2 hours we finally got back to the parking lot without any injuries. There was a ranger there who said:"Thank God you found these people and got them down. I didn't really want to start a search and rescue in the dark. You were my last hope." Yes - we all need to help each other.
H Mando, This comment was so beautiful. Thank you sharing your journey's with me. I hope you find a group to do it with. I don't know if I will ever do it again, but if I do, I absolutely be sure to prepare for it properly. ~ Anthony
Hi. That a beautiful views i loce the stream with the small bridge that good you bring all you need .. yes walkt talky that big help alot so that you have contack oh still dark but that good so that you have a lot ofbtime to hike.. honestly i realy love mother nature the jungles a lots of trees .. rocks m. Mountains oh this is my fun . Thank you for your time to share this video i injoy watching.m
Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. I really appreciate that you took the time to watch and leave a comment. It was definitely a beautiful adventure. ~ Anthony
*Great videos with great content as always... :) Love the content that you are putting out my friend. Never stop sharing to impact more lives. Don't forget the fact that we are together in this game to help each other to grow*
You're a lucky dude. The mountains are not something to take lightly. Mt Whitney should be a two day hike. Wear boots that have ankle support. Take shelter. Use a map. Satellite communication is a must for major hikes.
Back in the 1990's, I hiked Whitney three times and made it to the Summit all three. Each time, we would camp first at Outpost camp. Wake up at 5 am, and go for the Summit. My friend got Altitude sickness the first time, and I had to summit alone. The same friend made it the second and third time with me. Its really important to "acclimate" to the altitude and camp either at Whitney portal for a night then maybe camp at Outpost camp. it does help. I am curious how the trail has changed if much since the 1990's. There was a recent earthquake and rock slide that happened... if you GOOGLE it you'll see it. Scary stuff!!!! I didn't even think of the that when being up there. Ignorance is Bliss sometimes. Be safe!
What a beautiful share that was. Thank you so much for that. I went up there about a month after the rockslide and there was a lot of rocks on the trail. I pretty sure that's why I sprained my ankle. Being in a hurry and not paying attention. Are you going to do it again? When I do, I am definitely going to go with a group and camp overnight like you guys did. I want to make up for this experience.
Haha yeah, I know. I totally underestimated that goliath. Lesson learned. Thanks for watching. Sorry for the late reply. Hectic couple of weeks. ~ Anthony
Nice video! Glad you made it back safe. Never do a hike as this one alone. Training to hike Mt Whitney next year. I’m going with seven other ladies in my group. Thank you for all your tips.
I definitely learned the hard way! Haha. I’m o glad you enjoyed this video. Your feedback means so much to me.😀 Good luck on your hike. Are you also going to do it in one day?
Ohhh Anthony!!!🤦🏻♀🤦🏻♀ YOU were sooooo lucky!!! But SURELY your advice for beginner hikers is GET LOTS OF EXPERIENCE before attempting Mt Whitney!! It's not a beginner route!! And certainly learn how to use your poles properly, with the straps, which you also push against to help you climb, as well as to keep from losing them... there are plenty of youtube instructional videos! WOW I didn't realise how lucky we are to still have you with us!!
One of the biggest life lessons I ever had. So happy I made it through it. It definitely humbled me. I was silly to think I can take on such a trek without the proper experience. Lesson learned!! Maybe one day I’ll try it again….after much more training!
![NOSFERATU - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters December 25](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nulvWqYUM8k/mqdefault.jpg)
very interesting video. FWIW, here are my thoughts as a guy who first climbed MW at age 49 and climbed it 12 times, 10 of which were day hikes. The keys to a successful day hike of MW are (1) to get in superb hiking condition, (2) acclimate a min of 4 nights at 8,200+elevation, and (3rd), stay hydrated... I did this by living in San Diego and day hiking San Jacinto (16 miles), San Gorgonio (19) miles and hiking Baldy often. Also it helps to be experienced with high altitude, previous to MW, I skied every year at Mammoth and Colorado resorts, I have spent a lot of time above 10,000' exercising hard...Before my first MW summit I did San Jacinto 5x in 5 weeks, in addition to climbing the local 500' hill from 3 directions to make it a 1,500' hill. There is absolutely no substitute for putting in the time and effort to hike as many 10,000' high mountains as possible. Not once or twice, I would do them 5-8x before MW. San Gorgonio is a good proxy for MW, if you have any problems with SG, don't try MW. Second, you must acclimate, that doesn't mean sit in the Portal for a few nights. Better to go to Mammoth at 8,200', spend the day climbing Mammoth and hanging out at the summit at 11,053", panoramic views, food, bathrooms and a gondola ride down. Stay in Mammoth for 3 nights, then spend the 4th night at the Portal. Finally, be sure to have your water pump ready and stay hydrated. Two more tips...bring diamox and the day before the hike, take a half a pill. On the actual hike, when you get to Trail Camp, take another 1/2 diamox. When I would summit, I would take 1/2 an Excedrin Migraine, that helped ward off the headache that comes on the descent. I would NOT start at 1am, you need all the sleep you can get, I would go to sleep at 800pm and awake at 3am, depart the Portal at 4am, summit at 11am, down by 330-4pm. Starting at 1am will unnecessarily tire you out. If you can't day hike MW between 4am-6pm, then you shouldn't be trying. Final thought is hydration. You will get good at that after doing many prep hikes, experiment and find what works for you. And finally, this whole idea of "3 tips for beginners on MW" is foolish, beginners should not be on MW, don't even consider doing MW unless you have done enough prep work to be an intermediate hiker. So there you have it, the keys to a successful MW hike, it's really not that hard if you are hike hardened and in MW shape as I called it...! Good luck everyone
Wow! Thank you for this. Full of valuable information for anyone considering this hike. I appreciate you taking the time to do this and for watching.
~ Anthony
I'm an old hiker. I used to run in to people like this all of the time. This guy really lucked out. Here is my tip before you attempt to summit Whitney as a day hike; Get some experience! Hike the longest, roughest, nastiest, steepest trails that you can find, and pre-acclimatize! 14,500 feet is no joke, and staying 1 short night at the trailhead will not be enough, especially if you're starting from sea level. If you're in SoCal, you can day hike San Gorgonio a week or 2 before. It's 11,500 ft. A Baldy, via Bear Canyon, and San Jacinto, from Humber Pk., day hike leading up to that will get you ready for Gorgonio. If any of these hikes are hard for you to manage, don't attempt Whitney at all. As you can see here, it is some serious shit. I've summited 8 times total over the years, and I've day hiked the Moutaineers Route twice. I've always over-trained, and pre-acclimatized. It's important if you want to summit and then get down safely. It's a very, very long day and will test your stamina to it's limit, and maybe beyond! Also, Trekking Poles have straps on the grips for a reason, use them, or you could lose them!
Fantastic advice!!! Thank you! I sure wish I knew this before I took it on. Haha.
@@runningformybestlife I was hoping that you didn't think I was being a dick. I really am an old hiker dude, and I really have seen some shit over the years, trust me. I'm fortunate that the mountains that I mentioned in SoCal have always been relatively near to me, and I've been hiking them since the early 70's, as well as in the Sierras. I know that others might not have a few nice 10, and 11,000ers near to them to prepare for a Whitney hike. I understand. Pre-acclimatizing is so important, esp if you're attempting a one day round trip. About the trekking poles; I once saw a heavily laden backpacker lose his $250 Leki's while crossing a raging Meysan Creek. He wasn't wearing the straps. I felt bad for him. He was solo, and his pack was huge. I still have my beat up 20yo Leki Makalus. I never hit the trail without them! Be safe and smart!
I'm a beginner and will definitely be taking your advice
I live at 9300’, in Colorado, and have already hiked some out in Utah, will be doing some hikes here, and hopefully, I can do longs peak before Whitney on august 5th.
Got a permit to hike Whitney in June from SoCal and absolutely will be adding those two hikes to the training. Thank you for the advice!
Whitney tips for beginning hikers : Beginning hikers should not be attempting Whitney. Get experience elsewhere on a simpler trail.
Approach Whitney in stages - don't try to defeat it in one visit. Hike the non-permit section first (to Lone Pine Lake). Next acquire a permit for a day, and hike to a pre-determined destination such as Mirror Lake or Trail Camp. Trail Camp is 12,000 ft, and a difficult day-hike by itself. Each time you will get a feel for the physical requirements of the trail. When you finally determine to summit, nothing will be a surprise, and you will be prepared physically and mentally. I visited Whitney for several consecutive years before deciding to summit. During that time I was also hiking other lesser mountains to condition my legs and acclimate to high altitude. My first summit attempt was successful with no unpleasant surprises or mishaps (apart from some rainy weather, which should not be a surprise). I did all of this alone. Whitney is not a scary or exceptionally difficult trail - it is simply long and arduous.
For my 4th and final summit, I took a friend who was a beginner. We spent a year prior conditioning on all the hikes I did to prepare. She did fine and summited ahead of me, and in better condition.
WONDERFUL!!! So many great nuggets of wisdom here. Thank you so much for providing those for the community. I appreciate you for watching and taking the time to write this. ~Anthony
Isn't 4am a bit late to start?
@hyenaswine yup!! Learned that the hard way as you saw.🤣
@@hyenaswine Start time depends on your pace. 4 am worked perfect for me. I reached Lone Pine Lake at day break, thus completing the familiar part of the trail in the dark. The rest of the hike I could see and enjoy the scenery. I summit around noon and spend 40 mins. on the summit. That leaves 7 hours of daylight to go down. I still have time to grab some dinner at a restaurant in town before 9pm. That makes for a 16 hr day hike, which is a little longer than average.
@@aliensoup2420 had you done it before?
Oh Anthony, thank you for sharing your journey with us. I was on pins and needles the entire time while watching. You did a great job taking us along. I screamed a couple of times. I'm so very grateful to God that you made it back safely. You're absolutely amazing. Congratulations!
Anita by Design thank you!! I’m happy you enjoyed. God is good. He certainly has a unique way of teaching us some lessons at times.❤️🙏
I’m so proud of you, Anthony! Thank you for your transparency and sharing lessons learned. God was good to send you the help you needed when you needed it!
Yes, He definitely was!! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch my adventure and commenting.
I've been to the top 3 times and another 2 I had to quit and go down because conditions were very sketchy. I find that 4 days on trail is better. First night at the Portal, second night at Outpost camp third at trail camp. That next day get up at 3-4 am to summit before the winds start. After you summit come back to trail camp spend the night and hike back to the Portal rested and ready for one of their famous burgers and a beer! Glad you made it back man! you may not have made it if you had not kept moving!
P.S. One thing to ad to your list is ALWAYS ask the forest rangers for trail conditions BEFORE you go. And invest in a In-Reach or some kind of SOS signaling device.
Thanks Eric for sharing! Sounds like youvye experienced both the ups and downs(no pun intended) of that behemoth. I think a 4 day trip is a wise choice. I may have to do that if I decide to take it on again.
A few others also mentioned the In-Reach. Will definitely have to invest in that.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.🙏😀
Excellent advice for a beginner as me. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! I summited about 3 weeks ago and if it wasn't for my friend, I probably would have passed out and fallen asleep. I was exhausted! Its a tough mountain to climb especially the altitude. Thanks again, God continue to bless you.
CONGRATULATIONS on surviving that behemoth!! I’m so glad you made it back safely. I totally underestimated it. I know for next time to be better prepared.
I’m sure there was a lotta snow when you went up there I’m assuming. That would definitely add to the challenge. Did you also do it in one day? ~ Anthony
I climbed it to from east to west John Muir trail 11 days,, loved it, looks like you got married in Newport Beach harbor, on the mark Twain style paddle boat ,,I did too small world thanks for the video I did it in 1990 had only 1 pic , got to remember it again thank you
Hahaha yup sure did. You’re observant. Congratulations on your journey. I’m so happy this video helped you reminisce of a beautiful hike. Thanks for watching.
My comments are made as a former paratrooper, Ranger Qualified, and multiple wilderness survival courses and ascents of several mountains. I have ascended Whitney and Kilimanjaro to name two. Here are other mistakes you made:
1. You left too late. 4am was way too late to summit and return back down in daylight. The easiest part of the trail is the ascent. It can be done at night. You want to descend in daylight if for no other reason you’re tired and more prone to injury or getting lost;
2. You failed to take wet weather gear. Mountains produce their own weather patterns. Never ascend a mountain without rain weather gear as hypothermia is the biggest killer. One can easily die of hypothermia if wet at 40 degrees. I would never spend any time outdoors without some form of poncho. Always assume you will have to stay the night due to unforeseen injury or getting lost. Take emergency food too, and Tylenol (aspirin will prevent blood clotting if injured- so use Tylenol). Always carry a candle, matches for immediate warmth. Cover yourself with a poncho, light sterno or candle underneath poncho, toasty warm).
3. You failed to take backup lighting. Your life literally depends on you ascending or descending in darkness. So you need good lighting. Never trust your life to one headlamp. Always take two plus an emergency flashlight.
Last, never go alone. Actually three are better. If someone gets hurt, one can go for aid while the other tends the wounded.
Fantastic tips!! Thank you so much for the well written and thought out response. This will definitely help others who watch. Appreciate that you took the time to do this. ~ Anthony
My respect for you and your determination. It’s never a good or bad decision- it is always a lesson learned. Thank you for tour transparency and bravery! Love your post
Oh wow! Thank you so much. This made my day. I really appreciate that. Yes, that trip definitely taught me some wonderful lessons. Looking forward to trying it again one day.🤗
Be on the lookout for a reaction video in July I’ll be doing in honor of its upcoming one year anniversary.😀👍
@@runningformybestlife Yes, determination, bravo.
I carry a Incrediwear ankle brace in my pack just in case. And I ware my knee braces. Nice video. Thank you for sharing. We are planning on doing it in July 2025 Happy hiking
I recommend doing big pine lakes. It's another good hike
Good advice! Thank you. Thats fantastic. I hope your journey goes much smoother than mine. Have fun! ~ Anthony
Glad you made it! Had to laugh, "I don't know whether I'll be using these..."... Hiking sticks are a necessity/Godsend for any hike, especially one as arduous as this. I'm sure you ended up grateful to have the one left!
Very much so! Thankful I didn't lose both of them.
Wow Anthony, I just got done watching your video. I’m actually sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking about you and your journey. This past February, I took my son with me to hike to the top of upper Yosemite falls. It’s only about a seven or 8 mile hike with almost 3000 feet of elevation gain, but it was in the snow and ice. Because of the conditions, it took us about 10 hours, and that last part was in the dark with our headlamps. I can’t imagine doing that hike alone, but there were times when it got really sketchy and I was worried for my son. I was so happy to see you reach the summit. Then all of a sudden your video goes dark and you talk about how late it’s getting. And how no one has heard from you. I just started weeping thinking about it. Thinking about how worried your family must’ve been and the fact that your wife was in the car waiting for you. There’s so many things that can go wrong on a hike that magnitude with all the loose rocks and ruggedness and fatigue. I’m just so grateful that you made it and shared this video with us. It’s definitely a reminder to understand your limits and never go alone and that it’s OK to turn around at any point during the hike and decide you’ll do it again another day. No shame there. Again, thank you for the video. It brought back a lot of good memories of hikes I’ve taken. But reminded me to be prepared when I take on my next challenges. God bless you, sir.
Oh my goodness! This comment made my day! 😀Thank you so much, Anthony. It makes my heart happy to learn when one of my creations brings value to others. Loved that this was able to help you reminisce on your adventure with your son. I am so glad to hear it worked out. For a while, I said I would not do this again, but I am starting to get the itch to give it another go. This time with a group and definitely prepare for it more seriously. Haha
Thank you so much for watching. Cheering you on from afar ~ Anthony
Hi Anthony. Great achievement. Keep on hiking, its great for your heart and health. Perhaps a GPS might help for some hikes if you lose your sense if direction, although you've probably learned enough about this hike to not need it if you decide to do it again. Thanks for a great video.
Yeah, I have heard that suggestion many times, but always a good reminder. Thank you for the kind words. It was an experience I will never forget. Still on the fence if I will do it again. Thanks for watching. ~ Anthony
"Was it worth it?" That's a silly question! You're still alive, so YES! Unless maybe you lost a friend up there.
I know, right? No. Thankful none of that happened. It was an adventure I will never forget. Thanks for watching.👍
Wow well done. It must of been challenging. Beautiful scenery
Thank you! Yes, it was very challenging. It definitely humbled me. 😂
Um, the cautionary advice at the end of the tube is FAR from complete.🤨
CLOTHING: A beanie and gloves as the warm layers? Give me a break! Lucky he didn't have a windstorm or other weather super chill his bucket list brain! Experienced peak baggers carry the MINIMUM wind shell, long pants and a puffy or fleece top.
WATER: You need LOTS of water to do that hike in one day. Stay hydrated! Dehydration, not altitude, is probably the root of all of his mishaps. There is no water above Trail Camp. He should of carried at least 3 liters water from there to the peak, given his total planned mileage.
FOOD: Maybe he brought some - I didn't see any on the table. That alone can explain the exhaustion drama. Minimum 2000 calories for this jaunt.
EXTRA BATTERIES: Just in case, right?
HEAD GEAR: A BB cap worn backwards looks cute on little boys, or de rigor for frat boy keggers. In high altitude sun it is what gets your brain fried and makes you wander off trail and stumble about. Wear your cap properly; better yet wear a brimmed hat
SLOW DOWN! That ankle wasn't the result of a simple misstep. He likely was moving at too quick of a pace, in order to generate the force it takes to sprain an ankle and get that level of swelling. Moving at speed on a rough trail while exhausted is a great way to get hurt. Need I say more?
HEAD LAMP LOCATION: Move the head lamp from your head to your shirt pocket or waist band or hand, to get better depth perception. When the light is positioned next to your eyes, it is more difficult to have depth perception, because the shadows cast by the light are mostly directly behind the objects, not visible in the sightline of your eyes. Repositioning the light, so your eyes and the light aren't sharing the same sightline will minimize this issue.
PRIORITIES: Emphasis should be on getting down safely, not meeting some arbitrary schedule. He probably could have gotten back quicker if he took his time, and not hurt himself. Take whatever the amount of time is required to be in control of your moment to moment movements. You may get there late, but you'll be in one piece.
PLAY THE ODDS: The vast majority of mishaps on the Whitney Trail result from folks forcing a 2-3 hike into a single day. Just because others did it does not mean you can too. Don't let bucket list mentality get you in over your head. Things could have been so much worse, Anthony was lucky he didn't fall off a cliff.
Thank you for your feedback. Yup, I made LOTS of beginner mistakes and I hope my mishaps helps others' experience be a much smoother and safer one.
Going up is optional...coming down is mandatory. Always set a drop dead turn-around time and stick to it...for safety, use the same time estimate for coming down as going up...it is really not much faster on the way down. When trying to bag a peak, remember that sometimes it's a summit hike and sometimes it's a mountain hike...both are good. Thank you for sharing and teaching. Also for you all hikers new to trekking poles...please get instruction on how to use them...especially on the proper use of the straps which can be a little counterintuitive. Used correctly, not only do they provide stabilization, but will provide "mecanical advantage" that will let your arms give you about a 40% boost to your stride.
Hi Patrick!
It’s funny you mention the drop dead turn around. I actually ran into folks during the hike that mentioned they weren’t within their time frame and had to turn around before reaching the summit. That is such a great tip.
You are absolutely right about getting instructions on trekking poles before using them. I neglected to do that. I possibly could have saved my pole if I would have. Lesson learned.👍
Thanks for watching and for your incredible super comment with great advice.
This video is coming up on its one year anniversary soon and I want to do a reaction video to it in honor of that. Since I haven’t watched it since publishing it, it will be fun to give some behind the scenes info about it. So be on the lookout for that. ~ Anthony
Did this day hike in 2020. Almost didn't get to because Covid shutdowns, then there was an earthquake that displaced boulders on the trail, then the week i was there, was amidst fires. It was an amazing day. Magical would best describe it. The partners you choose are critical. I agree with a previous comment that if you have not summited by noon-1:00pm, you need to consider a turn around.
When you showed the video from Trail Camp, and i could see the "Needles" in the background, i thought "Man, you are still a long way from the top."
When we set out, my main goal was to only have to wear a headlamp ONCE. You need to be on that trail by 3-4 am at the latest. Leaving the summit by 1pm for best results. What good is it to be surrounded by all that beauty when you cant see it.
So glad you were able to salvage the trip and get out safe. Not everyone is so fortunate.
*One of the reasons to be at the top by noon is- the Air Force Base is not far away, and they are known to "buzz" the peak in fighter jets. So cool.
Wow! I didn’t know that about the fighter jets. I’d love to have seen that.
Glad you had a good trip. Definitely learned a lot from that “adventure”. I appreciate you for watching and your feedback. ~ Anthony
Hi Anthony. Thanks for your video, I really liked it. I would like to get to the top of Mt. Whitney some day. I did a lot of backpacking when I was 40 with my wife. I am now 72. She can no longer backpack. I would like to hike to the top, but I have no one crazy enough to do it with me. I appreciate your desire to be part of a group. It certainly is safer and less lonely. What I would really like to do is start in Yosemite and come down from the north. 200+ miles. John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Probably over a month's time. I have to get into a lot better aerobic shape than I'm currently in. The farthest trip I did was the 50 mile West Coast trail in Vancouver, CA. Also 5 days - 30 miles through the Grand Canyon. Neither of those have any altitude problems. Slogging up the Grand Canyon 7 miles with a 40 lb pack was a drudge, but really not all that hard. Plenty of H20 was the key to that. It was 95 degrees. We also spent 5 days in the Wind River Mts in Wyoming. That was a bit tough with a 60 lb. pack. We brought heavy clothing and needed every stitch of it! The Wind Rivers are notorious for nasty weather and we survived an ice storm at 9,500 ft during the night. In the morning there was a sheet of ice covering our tent. But I recommend the Wind Rivers as the scenery is unbelievably spectacular and not many people get up there. I did run into a little bit of heart palpitations at 10,000 ft. I had done strength and endurance training before I hiked up there. But with Whitney at 14,500+ ft, I would think the altitude would be more of a problem. I need to do a lot of aerobic training. I hear that is the best thing to do to prepare for high altitude hiking. Also that is one reason I would want to start in the North. It would give me a month to acclimate. I am seriously impressed that you got to the top of Whitney and back in one day - that's 44 miles! Yikes! Awesome! I am so glad you put in the timing it took in your video. What time did you start back down? I also have been caught by the dark descending a mountain and it certainly ups the stress level. Its dangerous. Bless the Lord you caught up with another group. I always take 2 headlamps + batteries on a hike now. My wife and I led a family group down from a mountain once in the dark. The poor children were crying. I led the group with my headlamp and my wife headed up the rear. At one point I walked right off the trail into the brush. My wife yelled at me that I went off trail and I followed her voice to get back. After 2 hours we finally got back to the parking lot without any injuries. There was a ranger there who said:"Thank God you found these people and got them down. I didn't really want to start a search and rescue in the dark. You were my last hope." Yes - we all need to help each other.
Wow!!! Such beautiful stories here Mando. I am so sorry for the lateness of this response. Sounds like you and your wife have had some amazing adventures. So happy to hear you guys were able to help out that family.
I started heading back down at 4pm. Waaaay too late. One of the scariest experiences of my life and I am so thankful that I found that group of hikers. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful comment. ~ Anthony
Believe it or not spend a week at elevation. Train in advance. During that week take some day hikes and try to get some altitude in. Spending one night at the portal wont do it. Even 3-4 days will help.
Great advice! Thank you. I'll know better if I decide to take this on again.
Thank you for sharing the realities. I’ll be there in august via the JMT, starting there going northbound and but coming up from Horseshoe Meadows and the PCT. I’ve been training since I got the permit, but can’t get high until the snow melts. This was such a good video. You started so confident, prepared and enjoying your day up. I truly didn’t know what to expect other than something as your title left a bit of a clue. Ive night hiked before because of a wrong trail situation and though the trail was in excellent condition, I was going miles down steep terrain and when I came to a place I could camp, I collapsed and could barely set my tent up, never mind dinner, and I wasn’t even injured. Kudos to you. Perhaps you could try another spectacular Sierra mountain pass, not as steep, but just as beautiful for your next adventure.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate that.
I went in there extremely confident and it humbled me. Even though it didn’t go as planned it was a great experience for the next time I try a hike like that. Thanks for watching and commenting!
~ Anthony
Dood I trained a year for Whitney still kicked my behind n yes coming down is tuff
But a heck of an adventure, right?!
You left no pictures of the view from the Top. Come on Man!
hahaha Awwww I'm sorry. Gonna have to get up there so you can get the view yourself. 😉
I think you've perhaps learned what to many can be a surprising lesson- coming down is often far far harder than going up. I was immediately alarmed when you said it was as late as 4pm when you reached the summit. If you can remember where you missed the trail coming down, I would report it to the park authorities with a suggestion for signage in.those places. I'm from the UK and when I climbed our highest mountain (Ben Nevis) it took me four hours to get to the top, but five gruelling hours to get back down. And this mountain is only just over 4000 ft high! Like Mount Whitney is has a marked well defined path to the top. But please don't beat yourself up for wanting to make this climb. As for your good advice at the end of the video, I would add one thing- practice on some lower, easier mountains before tackling Mount Whitney.
This mountain definitely humbled me. I did only a few hikes prior to this, but assuming since I have done multiple marathons beforehand would make that hike easier was a huge mistake. Lesson learned for sure. I haven't been back since, but I am hoping the trail is clearly visible now. I did this shortly after thy had an earthquake and a lot of the trail had debris. Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to watch and comment. Truly appreciated. ~ Anthony
What do you think about a garmin fenix? It has maps on the watch
I haven't tried it. I have the Garmin Instinct and I love it. Can't go wrong with any Garmin device.
Got caught in a july snow storm at top by window at top of whitney, so cold
Oh my gosh! I bet. How long were you stuck there?
I’m over in Simi, getting into trail running, converting over from hiking. Whitney is no joke, it is more time spent at high altitude than any other local training hike (Jacinto, Baldy, Grogonio, Langley, White). I failed my first attempt, I tried a 38 mile backside route with 26 mi first day to Guitar Lake. I actually had to go up to trail crest and go down w/o summiting lol. I went back a month later and did it in a day the normal way. Now that I am doing the ultra training I am curious how I would do in a day and perhaps my first failed route in a day as well.
Thanks for sharing. I am curious also.
Funny you mention this, because while I was hiking I remember a few guys running back down as I was going up. One of them stopped and chatted for minute. All he had was running shorts on and a little bottle of water. He said he runs up and down Whitney every week as a training run. I was blown away!!
@@runningformybestlife that is a person definitely experienced but also willing to take risk. I personally would never do Whitney w/o gear to survive the night if I broke an ankle. That means bigger water carries as well. I also always carry an inReach and text my wife at set check-ins, those text automatically include gps location automatically. This stuff is no joke, I met Bob Gregory while hiking Langley, spent the day talking to him, he was dead less than a year later going up Islip here in LA.
If looking for a safe but mountainous run to train for, Kodiak ultramarathon 50k follows this general trail called Skyline (iirc) up in Big Bear, the trail is never far from a fire road and lots of bikers, 4x4’s, etc around. As long as there wasn’t snow it’d be fine. Lots of cell coverage but not 100%.
Hey!!! You did it! You should be proud! I've done this a dozen times! It gets better with experience! Im proud of you! You met the challenge!!!!!
Thank you so much!! I appreciate that. Now that I know what to expect perhaps I’ll try it again one day. Thanks for watching.👍😀
What was the date of your hike? Curious what season is depicted
This was in July of 2020.
Dude this is great stuff . And wow look at the views . Love it man really love it . Oh man Iv been lost on a few hikes and it’s not fun once the light goes . Glad ypur safe
Urban Explorer I’m truly honored. Thank you so much! This one took a lot of work to put together. The kind words mean a lot.
,,c
Very interesting adventure and advice!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching. I hope it helped.
Here are my 3 tips for beginning hikers attempting to hike mt. Whitney-
#1- don’t do it.
#2- don’t do it, you knucklehead!
#3- have you done a 10mile hike with at least 4000 feet elevation gain? Are you used to hiking with a heavy pack? Do you have a good map and the right gear? If you answered “no” to any of these questions then- don’t do it you knucklehead!!!
Hahaha love it love!! Thanks for providing some helpful tips. :)
You don't need a map to hike the Whitney main trail - just follow the trail. A map will only tell you when are lost, which by then is too late.
Have you been to the highest points in any other states?
Nope. That was my last hiking experience. It definitely humbled me.
Thanks for your video. The first time I attempted to summit Whitney via the main trail. I made it to trail crest & made the decision to turn back , for a variety of reasons ( blisters, exhaustion & running out of daylight). I remembered your video & with no regrets turned around.
I changed some things ( socks & I left earlier) And I was able to Summit 2 weeks later !
Had it not been for your video I may have kept going and had some serious problems returning. So for that thanks .
Since then I’ve summited Whitney again , in November in winter conditions. Currently training to do the Mountaineer’s route , made one attempt. Going to do it again this month.
Oh my goodness, Alex! This truly made my day and reminds me why I started this channel, to help others! (Even through my numerous mistakes! haha) I am so happy my experience helped you make the wise decision of turning around. I sure wish I did that. And then to make adjustments and do it successfully within two weeks. Amazing!! Wishing you many more successful adventures. Thanks again for the comment. Sorry for not having more hiking vids for you. I learned that having a well marked course is a safer bet for me. Haha ~ Anthony
Thank you so much Anthony for sharing your story! I was very touched by your journey and your reflections and inspired by your strength and spirit.
That truly means a lot to me. I appreciate your kind words Bates. Also, thanks for taking the time to watch my journey and leaving a comment.🤗❤️
Only 2 pic of the summit...not even a short video about the summit and views from the top👎
I appreciate the feedback. I will definitely try to get better shots next time. By the time I got up there all I was concerned about was getting back down before it got too late.
Well, (I suspect that is a personal call- more than the hand of God touching a shoulder kinda thing. Have been to the top twice in '87 and my take on the view, panoramically, was it was okay but along the trail many areas offered far more spectacular sights.(to me) The shelter and signing the summits sign-in-sheet was memorial and having pics/video perhaps of plaques and inside the shelter were more to remember later and document the moment to me, but honestly my take was not a breathtaking sight as you might think once you reach the top and see the Owens Valley floor off in the distance and only as far as weather conditions permits in each direction. The hike and the personal accomplishment of summiting (just at the top...seemed my thing...seeing the shelter and signing that register was my reward at the top) ...no Chock-full of Nuts can with a friends cremated remains secretly stashed away in a rock crevice at Whitney's peak or a momentous family photo, or a loved one suffering or passed on perhaps preserved under a stone. But at the end after the moment passes and time elapses it still is what was in the hiker's heart. Told later is like passing a baton in a relay race with meaning and purpose and how that next person will carry it to do likewise and maybe pass it onto another...thus legends grow and are told of something significant Anthony's Whitney hike meant a lot as he stirred this conversation comment as to why, to me, it was a good Summit. And had he not would make it no less. Said coming from a man who was there on that peak and now gets it 35 years later. The climber and the climb is in the heart of the person who felt it was important. And that works for me. It is what measures and marks who we all are. At the peak of all Whitney peaks we summit in life. 2 pics, one pic, no pics or perhaps a 60min narrated video that is shared later. Maybe you are right. But I think Anthony got all he needed at Whitney's Summit. If not sure he'll be back. 😅
I came to watch this after seeing our 2020 highlights video. This was definitely a highlight. Glad you came back safe. You're right. Family and relationships are what is important. Not goals or views. I'm sure you already knew that but when an experience like this happens it makes them even more important than ever.
Oh definitely. Whenever I start concerning myself about those things I think back to this experience and remind myself what is important. I look forward to doing it again, but with a group and overnight. haha
Thanks for checking it out. :)
Anthony, wow, Wow, WOW! I still remain impressed by your fortitude to push through. One of my biggest issues when mountain hiking is the embarrassment of being helivaced out.. and I assure you there have been a number of times I've been close to needing it! Still, I thank YOU and your family for letting us join you on your journey of a lifetime. I know there will be more challenges for you. There's no stopping you. You've definitely got the bug! As for your family... they haven't seen the last of your adventures. In much admiration, your fan, Brenda.
Brenda Avadian oh my goodness Brenda!! You are the best. I absolutely loved your various thoughts throughout the segment of the video you watched. Your welcome. It was my pleasure sharing it.❤️
@@runningformybestlife :-) Big SMILE for you and your family, Anthony. I hope your ankle is healing fast. I am inspired to do Mt. Whitney in September of next year. Let's see how life unfolds. Letting you know in case you want to do it again. I may do Mt. Langley instead - just to the south. Another 14er at 14,034. In fact, Mt. Langley will be my back-up plan if I don't get a Mt. Whitney permit for Sept 2021.
Brenda Avadian hmmm 🤔 I will have to think about that. Sounds interesting. Yes, it’s healing nicely. Hopefully just a few more days.
I go hiking lots and alone and had a problem. My wife told me to get a Garmin inreach and it is worth the money(for me)
Oooh, that sounds interesting. Please tell me more about that watch.
@@runningformybestlife I purchased a Garmin Inreach GPS map 66i and it is not a watch. This has the two way text messaging available for the Iridium satellite network. My wife can see where I am in pretty much real time as long as she has access to the internet. Here is a link to what I have buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/623975 and it provides excellent two way text messaging plus an excellent mapping capability.
That’s fantastic! Thank you so much. I’ll look into that. That would definitely help put my wife’s mind at ease for future adventures.
@@runningformybestlife Your welcome
This, money well spent. I bought a 66i first, it has InReach capability and was great, but turned out to be overkill for almost all of my trips. I bought a Mini 2 before I did Whitney last month, and it is amazing. In addition to the weight savings, you can message directly between devices. The idea was to leave the 66i with my wife the portal campground so that I could keep in touch while I had my solo. It worked fantastic. The other thing I did was setup a MapShare page for anyone who was interested to watch the hike online, which also worked out.
This is an amazing story. Glad you made it home in one peace.
Me too!!! Thanks for watching.😀
@@runningformybestlife consider buying the “ Spot X” works great
So cool you were honest with yourself. Thanks. I was going solo until I watched your video. Saving lives!
Oh my goodness. This made my day when I read it. I am so happy my journey brought some value to you and helped you rethink your own journey.
Glad you returned home from your solo adventure. I would consider partnering up next time you challenge yourself off grid though.
Thank you! Yes, I am very thankful that I did also.
I will definitely be going with a group the next time I take it on. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
Me and a buddy are starting to take hiking more seriously and our goal is to do whitney as our end of year goal (we live in LA) then the rest of the cool hikes in the states. Thanks for the tips we will definitely learn!
That’s fantastic!! What a great experience that will be for you guys. I’m so happy my tips helped you on this new journey of yours. I’m from the LA area also. Have you done Baden or Baldy yet?
Such a wonderful channel, I watched your content and I have a BIG SMILE on my face. I immediately clicked the LIKE 👍 92 & 🔔🔔🔔. Take care and keep posting my dear friend! 💗💗
Conscious Creator you’re too kind! Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing your content also! Welcome to my community.😀
Dude, congrats. It’s asking a lot from anyone to do Whitney in one day. I’ve climbed it about 7 times from 3 different directions, but NEVER as a 1 dayer. That came into fashion mostly when the hike got too popular and they had to start the lottery. But rolling an ankle on the downclimb ! That is cringeworthy, as was your photo of it. I’m glad you found your trail angels. There’s still good folks in the world.
Thank you for the kind words Charles and for watching. That ankle injury was definitely a product of me rushing. I should have took my time, but I was overthinking it.
Wow. 7 times. That’s amazing! Maybe one day you do it one day. (Hopefully with a better experience than mine.🤣)
@@runningformybestlife 7 times but we’re talking over a couple decades. First time was senior year of high school (class of ‘71) last time was when a slightly older glider pilot friend of mine tuned 60 (11yrs ago).
@charlesbritzman501 still amazing!
Wow 5 times. That is a bad ankle sprain. They say that sometimes a twisted ankle is worse than a broken one. It's amazing that you were able to push through that. I've seen people who have twisted their ankle much less then that and they call it quits for like a month smh. You have a great mentality 👏🏾
Purpose Driven I had no choice. My wife and family need me. ❤️
@@runningformybestlife I love it
Wow, what an adventure! So happy you got through and back safely, it is amazing how easily getting lost can happen, I can relate somewhat had a similar adventure several years ago with a small group we had to get search and rescue to get us out once we found a spot where we could get a weak signal. The information you share from your experience is so valuable, nothing like the voice of experience to help others. The views you captured were amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us Anthony! Enjoy your weekend with your loved ones 🙏
Oh my goodness! Really? Where was that at?
You’re welcome. This one was definitely a fun one to make, for the most part. Haha
Running For My Best Life Yes we were fortunate to make it right at the brink of darkness. We really thought we would be spending the night in the woods, And we were not dressed for a Canadian fall night. It was at Mount Tremblant in Quebec. I suppose we can both say we have someone watching over us with loving kindness😇 have a great week Anthony!
Good video....thank you
Thank you so much. I hope it helps if you decide to take on Whitney.
One of the times I did Whitney I remember as we were coming down in the dark we got off the trail near Lone Pine Lake. It's a real pain to realize you need to back-track. I remember also that in the dark you had to go kind of slow to avoid tripping over rocks and roots not to mention staying on the trail. Definitely need a head-lamp and maybe extra batteries.
Yup, this is true! I actually had to back track a few times in the daylight. haha
Not sure if "more the merrier" is always the best. The more people go, the more likely at least one person is going to have issues. It could be altitude sickness, sprains, falls. Two or three might be best.
Thanks for your comment. You make a good point. I think I am going to try again next year with two others.
I'm glad you made it safe to your family. Something to learn before attempting to get hike done!!
Me too!! A humbling experience. I hope my journey helps you on yours. Have fun!
Oof redflag no water filter
I used tablets instead. They seemed to work pretty good.
I went up there June 20th 2019. There was was so much more snow and ice. Amazing to see it with much less. I went up from the PCT side which had its own challenges.
Whoa, really?! I was shocked by all the snow I saw in July. I actually met a guy at the top that came from the PCT side. If my memory serves me right, he was on like a month long excursion and the top of Whitney was one of his stops. But I was a bit foggy when I got there so I might be wrong. Haha
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking us along on your trek. Definitely gave me food for thought about hiking alone. Great job and glad you made it back to your family in one piece.
You're very welcome Douglas. It was a humbling experience for sure. Definitely go with someone if possible. Cheering you on from afar! ~ Anthony
Your big mistake was not properly determining your hiking pace. You took too much time going up. You must be able to approximate your time up and down to determine a reliable turn-around time from the summit. Typical turn-around time on Whitney is between 12 - 1:30 pm. That also accommodates the afternoon rainstorms that regularly blow in. If you want to take a more casual relaxed pace up the mountain, you must leave earlier in the morning. This is why 1st timers should hike the trail in stages to determine their pace and time on the trail. Then you can reliably determine a safe start time. Your rush to the bottom is probably what caused your mishaps. Except for the length of time you took to the summit, your trip up was flawless. You should have started at 1 or 2 am.
Completely agree!! Great advice to those trying it for the first time. I remember some folks turning around saying they didn't get to where they wanted to in time. At the time, I didn't understand. A few hours later I did. Thank you so much for watching and for providing some wisdom.
Beautiful views leading to mirror lake. Thank you, Anthony for taking time to shoot and then produce and share this video with us while we sit in the comfort of our homes. I am still inspired by your solo trek. I am also inspired by your different video shoots - which means, you had to return to pick up your camera (ref: ~ 8:30 mark). What? No food for the marmot? LOL (I never feed them otherwise, they'll be a nuisance.) Your appetite is much better than mine. You say, "I'll stop and have a sandwich." I typically eat very little as I don't have the appetite and digesting takes energy away from my hiking. Ahhh, we're each so different. Hey, no gloves for The Cables? OUCH! Okay. I'll continue watching from 13 minutes to hear about the "hard lesson" you learned. Again, thank you, Anthony for such a cool video and for sharing it with us.
Brenda Avadian you’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far. Those marmots are all over. Cute little guys. 😀
Yeah, stopping to get my camera a few times definitely slowed me down. Haha
One day I will climb that beast, but first I will train like hell.
Wise decision!!!! 👍😁
Hi Anthony just watched your videos and ohh my God am so glad that I got to see this… am just from Whitney and unfortunately couldn’t make it. Me and my friend started at 3:45am and by the time we reached the Trail Camp it was almost 11am. I was doing good with Altitude and my self apart from just being slow and it was my first time to use crampons which I didn’t try them prior to my hike and it just made it worse. I had to make a tough decision at that point that am turning back I understand I totally disappointed my friend but I feel it was the best decision for both of us, and now after watching both of your videos am so proud of myself doing that else I feel we would have ended into the worse. We also got lost (off trail) couple of times going up and coming down. But definitely a good experience and got to learn a lot. Am so motivated to hike this again and which I will someday but definitely with more intense training and well prepared.
Thank you so much for the Amazon video.
Add on to this….. you can do voice over and not say things while recording that also helps.
Hi Munira! Thanks for watching and for sharing about your adventure. So glad to hear you were wiser than I about turning back before it got too late. There will be other opportunities and now you know exactly what to expect.
I am so glad you found this video so helpful.
Thank you for the voiceover tip. I made this video in the early stages of my content creation journey and doing a voice over was way beyond my skill level at the time. haha.
Cheering you on from afar!!
Nice account. Gruelling hike.
Thank you!! Oh yes. Most definitely!
Yesterday (October 10) was the 33rd anniversary of my first time on top.. I've been on top 6 times , 3 with others, 3 times solo, but never really alone.
I've done it from Whitney Portal 3 times, twice from Onion Valley (Kearsarge Pass) and once from Horseshoe Meadow (Cottonwood Pass). Coming down from Trail Camp on my last visit I did manage to miss a switchback and had to scramble a bit, but usually the trail is easy to follow.
My most recent visit was in 2012... prior to that was September 12, 2001(the trip from Horseshoe Meadow).
Nice video. My only nit to pick is that the summit is not as large as you presented ;-). You're not really on the mountain until you've passed Keeler Needle (the summit to the left of Mt Whitney when you view it from Lone Pine), and the actual summit is maybe 4 or 5 acres?
As you've recommended, novice hikers should definately not go alone and make it an overnight trip at minimum. Sunrises at Trail Camp can be magical.
Wow! You have a vast knowledge of that behemoth! Loved hearing about your numerous adventures. Thank you so much for the feedback and the kind words. I appreciate that.
Are you going to do it again?
@@runningformybestlife Probably :-D
One of my wishes it to do the Pacific Crest Trail before I get too much older, and since the PCT passes so close to Whitney it is a very popular side-hike.
I did a 17-day trip from Kennedy Meadows South to Tuolumne Meadows in 2004 and started up to the summit from Crabtree Meadow. I turned back at Timberline Lake, tho. Too many sad memories from the previous visit (2001). My last visit to the summit in 2012 was a bit tough emotionally .
@@gregall2178 Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. I truly appreciate it. I hope you get to do the PCT soon. I would love hear about it when you do. Good luck and keep on going! Anthony
Respect to you sir
Thank you! Appreciate that.
My tips for you, if you want to hike Mt Whitney. Train well at home. Get to Lone Pine early and do some acclimation hikes. Horseshoe Meadows and Lone Pine Lake are great hikes. And then do the hike in two days, not just one. Stay the night at Trailside Camp, leave your stuff there, and pack it up on they way out. This way, you will actually enjoy your hike, not just suffer through it.
Fantastic tips! Thanks for sharing. This will be a big help to those thinking of doing it. Thanks for watching.
Love your Appalachians footage! thanks for taking us into this wonderful journey!
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. It was my pleasure. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for leaving a comment. That really means a lot.
I appreciate your vulnerability! You're an Amazing man 💗🙏
You’re too kind! Thank you so much.❤️🙏
Oof 4am! Nothing like leaving before sunrise. We did that a couple times in Colorado. The sunrise at the lake was beautiful!! The scenery is amazing!!
Omg this came up recommended so I thought it was new, but I was wondering how it’s so nice out 🤣
Whoa the cables look awesome!! Damn!!
Omg 1:30am?? Oh my gosh, how scary! 🥺
Wow I just got chills 🙏
Haha! I'm glad it came up. This video, as you see, was the biggest challenge to make, but so worth. it. I love the memories. It was a scary experience, but I learned a lot. It taught me to truly appreciate my loved ones.
Did ya see the guy sleeping on the edge in the cable scene. Crazy!
Thanks for checking this out. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I have yet to upload my videos when I summit in July 2022, I tried in August 2016 and had to come down from Outpost Camp with mountain sickness, not enough water intake and being overweight ruined it for me. In 2022 I was there from July 1 through 4, conquered July 3, but that time around had lost 31 pounds and hydrated every 50 to 100 paces, still was very hard and I took my time, on the switchbacks remember wanting to quit too; it took me around 5 hours to reach Outpost then next day like another 7 to Trail and next day starting at 6.15am took me 12 hours to get to summit or close! I summit at 5.40 pm, had the summit to myself which was very rewarding, started my descent at 6.20pm, reached the switchbacks at nightfall, 8.00pm and back at Trail Camp midnight July 4th, the switchback section alone was the most difficult I remember up and down, the way down was in the dark, had my lamp but was the only soul on the trail that day, there was a section I hesitated to cross for half hour because I felt I would fall from the trail and almost entered in panic thinking I would have to sleep the night there and wait until morning but after gathering some composure managed to cross it safely and kept going down, I counted them as I was going down; yes they are 99 of them! was completely exhausted when I reached Trail Camp and thought my gear was gone as it took me some time to find my tent; luckily everything was as I left it so after eating light meal went to bed around 2.00am and got some relieve and well deserved rest; after waking up around 10 am descended around 1 pm and reached portal at 6 pm July 4th, would I do it again? I hope so! but I do not think I would ever attempt it as a day hike; there are 11 miles up and then down, it is HARD, even for well prepared hikers but the views are incredible and if one has the time, gear, training and drive it is totally worth it, there is nothing like it in terms of pushing your endurance and so rewarding when completed!
Wow!! What an adventure. Yeah, those 99 switchbacks are no joke.
Congratulations on completing that beast of a hike. I am still undecided if I would do it again.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the community.
Wow great information excellent work fantastic great channel so beautiful place brother love u
Thank you so much! That means so much to me. I truly appreciate that you stopped by and joined me on my journey.😀🙏
My husband and I summitted Mt. Whitney 5 times. First time, we did it in two days, overnighting at Outpost. The second time, we did it in 3 days, overnighting at Outpost, second night at Trailside and day 3, pushed to the top then back to Trailside to pack our tents and hike out. Third time, we did it in 2 days again. And the last two times, we hiked it in one. It really took us those first three trips to know what we were getting into and train hard to be able to do it in one day. Kudos to you getting to the top and out again in one trip. But I would add a couple of tips to your list: If you haven’t made it to the top by 1:00 PM, seriously consider turning around. No goal is worth dying for. Tip number two: always carry aspirin with you. Not so much for pain relief but to dilate your blood vessels and allow more oxygen to reach your brain (and tired muscles). Tip number 3: always carry a couple of tablets of Niacin (B3) with you. Weather is unpredictable on high mountains and if it turns freezing cold suddenly, the Niacin can give you a flush of heat that can help you keep moving. Stay safe.
Wow!! What a journey you guys went through. Love that you kept at it. Sounds like you guys are experts now. Fantastic!
Love those additional tips. Those will be a big help for those thinking of doing it. Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching. ~ Anthony
You really had a late start. It took too long to get past trail camp.
Very true! If I ever do it again, I will definitely leave much earlier and not make so many stops.
My altitude hiking experience was running the Pikes Peak Ascent trail race four times. It’s 13 miles and 8,000 feet elevation change to the top. Then there’s a sweet bus ride back to Manitou Springs. I trained hard, enough to run a marathon, and traveled to Colorado a few days early to acclimatize by driving the highway to the top a couple of times and taking acetazolamide to help my blood chemistry. Exercise at altitude is no joke. So I sympathize. Hiking with a buddy is a great insurance policy against getting injured and needing help. Hindsight is 20/20.
That's wonderful. Thanks for sharing and watching. Man, Pikes Peak, I have heard about that. I may have to try to give it a shot one day.
Thank you for this video! It brought back memories of my solo trip about 25 years ago, when I had a similar experience. I came up the mountaineer's route, and down the main trail. I didn't summit until after 5:00 pm, and it was October. The effects of the exertion and altitude and lack of oxygen results in some disorientation. I lost a glove a couple miles from the summit and lost my map after I came down the switchbacks, which I had to negotiate by moonlight. I too got off trail twice in the dark. The second time I found myself at Lone Pine Lake, but I did not know where I was because I lost my map. Around 1:00 am I decided to bivouac at the lake with no tent. In the morning I found the main trail and made it back to my car safely. But my poor wife was so worried when she did not hear from me and called for a search, which was just about to start when I finally called her the next morning. That experience led me to rethink some of my solo trips, because I did not want to put my family through that again. Be safe out there!
Whoa!! What a scary experience! Sheesh, that's crazy that you were able to keep going on by moonlight. I remember turning off my headlamp at times and it being pitch dark.
Yeah, it definitely humbled me for sure. I will never again take on a mountain hike solo. Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Incredible.
Hi Anthony. Thanks for your video, I really liked it. I would like to get to the top of Mt. Whitney some day. I did a lot of backpacking when I was 40 with my wife. I am now 72. She can no longer backpack. I would like to hike to the top, but I have no one crazy enough to do it with me. I appreciate your desire to be part of a group. It certainly is safer and less lonely. What I would really like to do is start in Yosemite and come down from the north. 200+ miles. John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. Probably over a month's time. I have to get into a lot better aerobic shape than I'm currently in. The farthest trip I did was the 50 mile West Coast trail in Vancouver, CA. Also 5 days - 30 miles through the Grand Canyon. Neither of those have any altitude problems. Slogging up the Grand Canyon 7 miles with a 40 lb pack was a drudge, but really not all that hard. Plenty of H20 was the key to that. It was 95 degrees. We also spent 5 days in the Wind River Mts in Wyoming. That was a bit tough with a 60 lb. pack. We brought heavy clothing and needed every stitch of it! The Wind Rivers are notorious for nasty weather and we survived an ice storm at 9,500 ft during the night. In the morning there was a sheet of ice covering our tent. But I recommend the Wind Rivers as the scenery is unbelievably spectacular and not many people get up there. I did run into a little bit of heart palpitations at 10,000 ft. I had done strength and endurance training before I hiked up there. But with Whitney at 14,500+ ft, I would think the altitude would be more of a problem. I need to do a lot of aerobic training. I hear that is the best thing to do to prepare for high altitude hiking. Also that is one reason I would want to start in the North. It would give me a month to acclimate. I am seriously impressed that you got to the top of Whitney and back in one day - that's 44 miles! Yikes! Awesome! I am so glad you put in the timing it took in your video. What time did you start back down? I also have been caught by the dark descending a mountain and it certainly ups the stress level. Its dangerous. Bless the Lord you caught up with another group. I always take 2 headlamps + batteries on a hike now. My wife and I led a family group down from a mountain once in the dark. The poor children were crying. I led the group with my headlamp and my wife headed up the rear. At one point I walked right off the trail into the brush. My wife yelled at me that I went off trail and I followed her voice to get back. After 2 hours we finally got back to the parking lot without any injuries. There was a ranger there who said:"Thank God you found these people and got them down. I didn't really want to start a search and rescue in the dark. You were my last hope." Yes - we all need to help each other.
H Mando,
This comment was so beautiful. Thank you sharing your journey's with me. I hope you find a group to do it with. I don't know if I will ever do it again, but if I do, I absolutely be sure to prepare for it properly. ~ Anthony
Great Video.
I have enjoyed it very much.
Thumbs up.
Please continue to produce more.
I am looking forward to your next video.
"Like" # @@@
Thank you so much!! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! Glad you're safe. Thank you for making this video. Looks like an incredible hike.
You’re very welcome! Are you going to try it sometime?
Good hike
Thank you!!
Hi. That a beautiful views i loce the stream with the small bridge that good you bring all you need .. yes walkt talky that big help alot so that you have contack oh still dark but that good so that you have a lot ofbtime to hike.. honestly i realy love mother nature the jungles a lots of trees .. rocks m. Mountains oh this is my fun . Thank you for your time to share this video i injoy watching.m
Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. I really appreciate that you took the time to watch and leave a comment.
It was definitely a beautiful adventure. ~ Anthony
*Great videos with great content as always... :) Love the content that you are putting out my friend. Never stop sharing to impact more lives. Don't forget the fact that we are together in this game to help each other to grow*
Ahmet Kaan Aydoğan thank you!! I appreciate that.
Always stick to the turnaround time. Don’t let summit fever push you to exhaustion just to make the top. Remember, that’s the halfway part.
Very true! A bi lesson learned that's for sure. Thanks for watching.
Wow. What a story. I'm Glad you made it home safe! GOD Bless!
Me too!! It was quite an adventure. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. :)
Nice upload buddy, keep grinding 👍👌
Thanks!!! Will do!👍
You're a lucky dude. The mountains are not something to take lightly. Mt Whitney should be a two day hike. Wear boots that have ankle support. Take shelter. Use a map. Satellite communication is a must for major hikes.
Absolutely agree! Thank you for watching and for the feedback. Definitely will implement those tips if I decide to do it again.👍😁
Wow... !!! My best friend, Great... We liked and enjoyed to the end. Thanks Have a happy day!
Thank you! You too!
That last 2 miles to the summit wasn’t in the brochure!! That was the worst for me! I’m doing it again this Sept. 15, 2021!
I know, right!! Felt like FOREVER!!! Have fun! At least now you know what to expect.👍
Welcome to the club. Great accomplishment. I prefer solo hiking. I agree trail camp makes it a great 2 day hike.
Thank you. Not sure if I will do it again, but if I do I'll probably do it with a group and camp overnight at Trail Camp. Thanks for watching.
Great video! Wasn't expecting the dramatic turn towards the end. Good tips too!
T1D Wanderer that’s a bunch for taking the time to watch and comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Much appreciated my friend.😀
Thank you for your realness. I will be taking on the PCT this year and want to attempt the Mt Whitney summit on the way. Much food for thought here.
You're very welcome! I am so happy it helped. Have fun and safe travels on your PCT adventure. ~ Anthony
Back in the 1990's, I hiked Whitney three times and made it to the Summit all three. Each time, we would camp first at Outpost camp. Wake up at 5 am, and go for the Summit. My friend got Altitude sickness the first time, and I had to summit alone. The same friend made it the second and third time with me. Its really important to "acclimate" to the altitude and camp either at Whitney portal for a night then maybe camp at Outpost camp. it does help. I am curious how the trail has changed if much since the 1990's. There was a recent earthquake and rock slide that happened... if you GOOGLE it you'll see it. Scary stuff!!!! I didn't even think of the that when being up there. Ignorance is Bliss sometimes. Be safe!
What a beautiful share that was. Thank you so much for that. I went up there about a month after the rockslide and there was a lot of rocks on the trail. I pretty sure that's why I sprained my ankle. Being in a hurry and not paying attention.
Are you going to do it again? When I do, I am definitely going to go with a group and camp overnight like you guys did. I want to make up for this experience.
Hang on man, did you not have All-Trails or some GPS device? Wow, you’re lucky sir.
Haha yeah, I know. I totally underestimated that goliath. Lesson learned. Thanks for watching. Sorry for the late reply. Hectic couple of weeks. ~ Anthony
Like 202 very good happy. Neu year🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Thank you so much!! Happy New Year to you also! Thank you so much for stopping by.
Hey we just met you over at Sarah's live. We are on a weight loss journey and are slowly but surely starting to run
Yes! Great to meet you. Thanks for coming on over. Looking forward to seeing your stuff.
Great video. You’re an amazing person. Summited Whitney in 2 day hike. Gorgeous views.
Thank you so much! That was such an amazing(and scary) experience. Congrats on your summit. I am sure you had an amazing time.
Nice video! Glad you made it back safe. Never do a hike as this one alone. Training to hike Mt Whitney next year. I’m going with seven other ladies in my group. Thank you for all your tips.
I definitely learned the hard way! Haha.
I’m o glad you enjoyed this video. Your feedback means so much to me.😀
Good luck on your hike. Are you also going to do it in one day?
What was the date you hiked? We won the lottery for June 24, wondering if there is going to be a ton of snow 🤦🏻♂️
I hiked in mid July. There was only snow on the summit. There was a path made to get through it, but would recommend poles.
Who in the fuck disliked this video jesus christ. Im glad you made it home safely.
Hahaha. It’s not for everyone I guess. Thanks! So am I.😁
Dude AllTrails pro is a must or even a hard copy map. Getting off trails is a killer.
Thanks! I’ll look into that. How much does it cost?
Ohhh Anthony!!!🤦🏻♀🤦🏻♀ YOU were sooooo lucky!!! But SURELY your advice for beginner hikers is GET LOTS OF EXPERIENCE before attempting Mt Whitney!! It's not a beginner route!! And certainly learn how to use your poles properly, with the straps, which you also push against to help you climb, as well as to keep from losing them... there are plenty of youtube instructional videos! WOW I didn't realise how lucky we are to still have you with us!!
One of the biggest life lessons I ever had. So happy I made it through it. It definitely humbled me. I was silly to think I can take on such a trek without the proper experience. Lesson learned!! Maybe one day I’ll try it again….after much more training!
@@runningformybestlife Well said Anthony!! Do you know that old TV series “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”? You could make a pretty good episode!!😂😂
As Ed Veisters says..." Getting to the top is OPTIONAL...getting back safe IS NOT".
Well said, Eric!! Thank you.😀
Losing the trail sucks, but now you have your own .gpx track. Next time will be even better 😇.
Very true! Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate that.😀