Mount Whitney, the highest point in California and the continental United States, is at 4,421 meters above sea level, but it's surprisingly easy to climb if you have the right permit.
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| Mount Whitney |
You don't have to worry about rockfall or treacherous slopes here, but there are other hazards to watch out for, such as where you decide to stop for a bite to eat. Four days after the very first ascent to the summit was completed in 1904, Bride Surby became the first victim of a hike on this mountain. U.S. Bureau of Fisheries worker Surby had just completed an easy but rewarding hike on a brand new trail and found a comfortable spot on the summit to enjoy a fresh-air lunch, but was killed by a lightning strike. This accident was the impetus for the construction of the Smithsonian Mountain Orphanage, also known as the Mount Whitney Summit Shelter.
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| Mount Whitney |
Built in 1909, the three-room granite building was intended not only to provide tourists with a safe haven during storms, but also served as a home for researchers who studied altitude, a very exciting topic in those days when high-altitude flight was just around the corner. Gustav F. Marsh, who laid the first trail that led to the death of Surby, built this shelter with the help of both the Smithsonian Institution and the Leek Observatory. The small stone hut has been the site of many amazing studies, including Charles Greeley Abbott's spectroscopic observations of Mars to find out if the planet has water.
Hiking up the mountain may not be as difficult as other climbs, but it is still not easy to take part in it. In order to avoid an excessive influx of tourists, only a limited number of permits are issued and they are distributed through a lottery system. If you're one of the lucky ones to get a permit to climb Mount Whitney between May and November, you'll need sturdy hiking boots, food and water, and possibly a tent. The Mount Whitney Trail is a steady 17km climb from Whitney Portal to the summit and is usually snow-free from July to late September. There are three campsites on the trail, where tourists can spend the night during the ascent.
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| Mount Whitney |
Despite the fact that this hike is considered easy, you need to be well prepared for it. Severe thunderstorms can break out in summer. The weather can be warm and calm or cold and very windy. When camping, your food should be stored in a so-called bear container to keep it safe from random hungry bears and groundhogs.
The Mount Whitney Shelter has the potential to become a National Historic Landmark (now under consideration), but ironically, it has recently been seen as less than ideal lightning protection, and tourists are warned not to use it for that purpose.
Good to know
To get to the start of the trail in Whitney Portal, drive from Highway 395 in Lone Pine 17 km along Whitney Portal Road west to the Whitney Portal Store. Climbing to the top of the mountain along the Mount Whitney Trail is 17 km away. There are three campsites along the trail where you can spend the night.