Mount Whitney Hiking Checklist

Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48. Only Alaska has peaks that are higher! This hike is a lottery, and if you are lucky enough to get a spot, take it! My husband signed us up and told me in passing, "We are going on a really cool date in June." I didn't know anything about the mountain or feel prepared for it. He is an ultra runner and Ironman, while the most I have done is a half marathon. But he created a training chart for me, I started training in March, and by June I felt ready. I didn't know if I'd be able to summit or not - you don't know until you try. I do think some of our careful planning and preparation was key to our success.

Prep Checklist

1. Apply for the lottery, and wait to see if you're in. (If not - keep applying!)

2. Make purchases in advance. Some of the items you need may be on backorder or not in season depending on when you go.

3. I gave myself about 3 months to physically prepare. I printed out a an online calendar and chose 2 days a week I could commit to going to the gym. On Mondays, I focused on slope. On Wednesdays, I focused on miles per hour. Here is an example:

Monday: MPH= 2.5 and Slope- 10.0, 12.0, 10.5, 13.0 in 10 minute intervals

Focusing here on incline and preparing for the elevation

Wednesday: Slope= 2.5 and MPH = 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 4.5 in 10 minute intervals

Focusing here on speed and preparing the physical aspect of hiking; sometimes I added in weights

4. Make an appointment with your primary doctor and see if they will prescribe an elevation sickness preventative such as Diamox. If you are not used to living in high elevation, (I am in North Carolina), your body will not be prepared for the incline. I did get extremely ill at the end of the first day (12,000 feet elevation). Symptoms may be migraine, chills, vomiting, lightheadedness, etc. I was able to rest and recover the first night, but again was hit with the symptoms on the second day. An angel named Whitney (yes, WHITNEY), happened to be hiking up at the exact time as us. She was a military nurse and had an extra Diamox that helped me make it to the top. I still think about how her and how grateful I am for her kindness.

5. Download a map of the trail (we used Gaia). We went in June and much of the trail was still covered in snow, making the trail unrecognizable. We relied heavily on the app to guide us. Also, print out your permit. We were never asked to show it, but were ready.

6. Write out the logistics of your hike. Where will you park? How many nights is your permit for? What time do you plan to head out? We typed our Schedule of Events ahead of time, giving multiple options.

Our Schedule:

Monday

a. Check in at Mount Whitney Portal, set up campsite, gear check, go to sleep early

b. 5-6am Hike start

c. Arrive at Trail Camp by 5pm, set up camp

Tuesday

a. 9am Hike start (started later as we were deciding if I could continue)

b. Summit Mt. Whitney- did not return to camp until dark

c. Camp at Trail Camp

Wednesday

a. 5-6am Hike start

b. Return to Whitney Portal and car (trip down went very quickly)

c. Drive to Vegas for flight home (evening flight)

Thursday

a. Arrive in Charlotte at 6am

Packing Checklist

*hiking poles

*backpack (I used Gregory Jade 43)

*2-man lightweight tent & poles

*sleeping bag

*self-inflating sleeping mat

*water bladder

*jetboil

*food- ramen was our primary meal, energy bars, Chomps meat sticks; I also packed peanut butter sandwiches from the car on the first day of hiking

*wet wipes

*gator (did not have one but wish we did to protect from sun)

*electrolyte gummies

*microspikes or crampons

*emergency blanket

*disposable hand warmers

*extra pair of socks

*leggings

*rain jacket

*foldable cups *& utensils

*pour-over coffee

*Ibuprofen

*sunblock

*chapstick with SPF (so important - I did get a severe sunburn on my lips because I did not apply this liberally enough)

*sport sunglasses

*hat with a brim

*water resistant pants

*gloves

*GPS navigation (app or other)

*portable charger

*husband capable of completing hike with me on his shoulders if needed