A trip of a Boy and his Dog

Where I camped the night before the hike. In the background you can see the road to Whitney portal, the trail head, zig-zagging up the hill side. I eat some soupy beans and rice that night. I could,nt sleep much for I was so anxious and excited to be taking on such an adventure. I woke up at 300am pacific time to pack up and head to the trail. Logan looked very excited to be heading out too.
The trail I decided to take was called the Mountaineers Route. It is a 3rd class climb, 5th class is vertical rock climbing. The shortest and steepest route to the top of Mount Whitney, 14,449 feet. I started early and moved non-stop for 13 hours. I was not sure How Logan would fair on the 3rd class stuff. I lifted him over a few sections of the trail then he started to make his own way. I was so proud of him when he figured out the way that worked for him.

The sign at the trail head of the trail I took. I decided to challenge myself and take the harder Mountaineers Route. It was a few sections of 3rd class scrambling and 6,100 feet of elevation gain in 3.5 miles. Burly and fun and challenging. That day I hiked 12,200 total feet, in 13 hours. It was a great experince for me to do such a trip in real mountaineer style. I hope to go back this spring and do the trip again, in two days, while there is snow on the ground.

Me and my dog very shortly after sunrise. We started at 430am pacific time. We climbed ledges in the dark to get to the first lake and meadow. I very watched the sunrise from the east, where I did watch it from was the ridge line of Whitney, in the background. I always love to see time pass by the sun and how it travels down one side of a valley, across the valley floor and back up the other side of a valley.

Logan looking stoic and tired. He was such a great dog on this trip. Tough dog.

The first meadow. Made it there shortly after sunrise. The whoe hike took place in an alpine setting. Meadows and alpine lakes, so seriene and clam and peaceful. I had lots of time to think and ponder who I am and what I want to accomplish this season.

Looking forward to the chute and making it to the top of the Whitney.

Looking down at the last lake from the chute. I took a nap here while my water was being treated. Off to the right of the picture is where I approached the chute and lake. I got to the lake in about 4 hours.

Looking down the 3rd class chute. I was gaining 100 feet of elevation every ten minutes while hiking up this chute. Logan did fine. He is so smart, he would whine then find his own way around the problem.

Self portrait at the top of the chute.

The sign at the top to prove I made it there. This was such an accomplishment that I had gotten emotional at the top. The whole trip was huge, planning, hiking and starting early were so big for me that it all came out on the top.

Me at the top. only half way there. I took the mellow trail, Whitney trail, down. It was wicked fast.

Logan at the top. Her was scared to get to the edge. The whole time he was fine with all the exposure till the top.
On the way down I took the Whitney trail. It is 11 miles and 6,100 feet back to the trail head. The trail is so well maintained that I and Logan was able to run down the trail. I saw a bunch of people while headed down and they all asked "How far to this place or that". I was unable to tell them, I stopped keeping track of where I was and how far. I was just headed down.
This trip was great. Great to do with just me and my dog. It was quite, a few people camping, and I one of about 3 people hiking the mountaineers route. So many people where amazed that I had taken the route and had brought my dog. Logan slept for two days when we were done. Everyone could take the opportunity to climb this mountain. So next time your in Lone Pine, CA take the time. Call me I'll even meet you there.