Day 40 – Mt. Whitney
Originally published on Mason Hikes the PCT 2017.
Mileage: 0 (~14 miles up and down Whitney)
Today was great. We did zero PCT miles, but had such an awesome time climbing the highest peak in the lower 48 states and hanging out with other hikers that it was totally worth it.
We decided not to sunrise summit Whitney because it would be our first real trek through snow and we didn’t want to have our first snow experience in the dark. We still woke up early, around 5, to start the hike and get up there sometime midday. We took the hike super slow in order to minimize the chances of altitude sickness and because we weren’t in any sort of rush. The whole day was dedicated to Whitney.
The climb up was long and hard, but we were rewarded with amazing sunrise views of the surrounding mountains on the way up. Everyone struggled a bit as we got to the top, but we pushed through and made it all the way up.
The top of the world!
We hung out for a really long time at the top, not only because we worked so hard to get there, but also because we finally had cell service again! Hooray for internet connectivity! Mostly we were just exhausted and needed some snacks, so I made a batch of hot chocolate and treated myself to a celebratory Snickers.
On the way down, Savage and I could only talk about naps. We were going to run down and nap at camp until everyone else arrived, but instead, Hach-P jokingly asked if I wanted to swim in Guitar Lake. When I said yes, he led me down to the mostly frozen lake’s shore, I stripped naked, and jumped in.
Fun game: spot the marmot AND the lake shaped like a guitar
It was SO cold. Likely the coldest water I’ve ever been in, even compared to swimming in the Icelandic ocean in January. As soon as my body went under, I was desperately looking for a way out to escape the painful cold. I guess that’s what you get when you swim in a mostly frozen lake at 12,000 feet.
When Hach-P saw me do it, he said “Man, you’re crazy, but now I have to do it,” and he too got naked and jumped in the lake. Same shock, same desperate scramble to get out, same immense joy at the sunlight beating down on us. Soon after, Savage joined the fun and went swimming, who was then followed by Dragonfly. We had seen him and his huge crew at the summit and they were all coming down, so he waited until they were close enough and then jumped in.
Dragonfly comtemplating his fate
Soon we had a group of about 15 people swimming in a partially frozen lake and having a great time. We stayed for about an hour and then moved on towards camp to make some dinner. Overall, this “zero” was my favorite one yet!
Hach-P, Savage, and me