50 Miles to Mount Whitney - Pic heavy

[lambertiana]

This year, as part of the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America, a number of scout troops are climbing Mt Whitney from all possible approaches. This week I went with a scout troop to do this via a 50-mile route that starts at Onion Valley. Here is everyone at the start:

Soon we passed Gilbert Lake:

As we got close to Kearsarge Pass, we could look down on Big Pothole Lake:

Then from Kearsarge Pass (11,760') we could look down on Kearsarge Lakes and Kearsarge Pinnacles:

Then we passed Bullfrog Lake:

And eventually we could see our destination at the bottom of the canyon, Vidette Meadows, where we would spend the first night:

The second day we went up the Bubbs Creek drainage:

And we eventually stopped to camp below Forester Pass at this pond:

 

[lambertiana]

On Wednesday we went over Forester Pass (13,200'). Here is a lake below the pass:

Getting close to the top of the pass:

The views from the pass, north and south:

Once we descended, this is looking back at the pass (notch on the right):

A few views in the basin south of Forester Pass:

Looking toward Mt Tyndall:

 

[lambertiana]

Continuing south toward our destination of the day, this is looking west across the upper Kern River canyon from the north side of Bighorn Plateau:

A tarn on the top of Bighorn Plateau:

And at last our goal comes in view, Mt Whitney - the highest point in the lower 48 (14,508'):

And the group enjoying their first view of Mt Whitney:

As we descended toward Wallace Creek, we passed a number of west-facing meadows:

 

[lambertiana]

Thursday we had an easier day, passing Big Sandy Meadow

And Timberline Lake (with Whitney in the background)

And Guitar Lake

On our way to camp at this pond:

The scouts took a nice swim in the cold water, while I was content to stay dry. Here are a few views around that camp:

 

[lambertiana]

Yesterday we started for the summit of Mt Whitney before dawn, so I don't have any pictures of the lower part of that climb. As it got light we could see the summit getting near:

Here is everyone at one of the windows between the needles:

I got to the top ahead of them, here they are catching up at the summit:

And finally, the goal is reached!

Looking north from the summit:

And could this be the highest Laconico?

 

[lambertiana]

Heading down:

Looking west from the trail on the way down:

At the bottom of the switchbacks, we passed Consultation Lake:

We ended up camping last night at Lone Pine Lake. Here is an evening shot of the lake:

And this morning at the end of the trail, in time to enjoy the huge pancake breakfast at the Whitney Portal Store (only one scout finished it, and he just about lost it):

We all had a very enjoyable time, despite the mosquitoes (especially fierce at Vidette Meadow). It was nice and cool, on two mornings we had frost on the ground and ice in water bottles. And at least these scouts will be able to say they did more than play video games this summer, they had a real adventure.

 

[hstdist]

Thank you for caring about kids. We need a lot more people like you

 

[raylaconico]

What a great trip John. I think this was my favorite of all your trip reports so far. How many miles per day did you guys do? Oh and I'm pretty sure that's the highest any of my knives have ever been outside of an airplane!

 

[banana-clip]

Looks like a great time. Awesome pics.

 

[DennisStrickland]

wonderful pics & many members probably have no concept of the workout this requires. i remember my pack in from the Devil's postpile to the bottom of mt. ritter 13000 . was in 60s in the sierras. [53 lb. pack] dennis.

 

[TheGame]

Wow, that is a lot of pics. Thanks for sharing them, a lot of great pics. :thumbup:

 

[C Bryant]

Great pics John. I think I really would have enjoyed that approach to the summit. Beautiful. It is nice to see what Guitar Lake looks like up close. Thanks fro sharing.

And could this be the highest Laconico?

What a great trip John. I think this was my favorite of all your trip reports so far. How many miles per day did you guys do? Oh and I'm pretty sure that's the highest any of my knives have ever been outside of an airplane!

The 2nd Highest....well second to that height...same height, second knife.

 

[PropThePolecat]

Nice pics and amzing scenery!

 

[PB Wilson]

To see that many kids with smiles on their faces after such a workout makes me feel pretty positive about the future of mankind.

So many students of mine are quick to complain and would never take on such a challenge.

You're a good man to help get kids of their asses and see some of the most beautiful places on earth.

If I was their age, I'd look like this the entire time:

 

[jds1]

Thanks for taking us along on such a fantastic trip. Beautiful photo set. :thumbup:

Jeff

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Thanks for sharing the photos and taking the Boys!!!!

Man--I GOTTA go there one day!!!!!!

 

[sasha]

Wow John you always post great pics. How many miles did you cover each day?? With my work i might miss packpacking the high sierra this year all togher.Did you need to get permits for mount whitney using the back route??

Sasha

 

[tknife]

Simply awesome! Great pics.

 

[fishshooter]

Fantastic post! Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed it.

 

[raylaconico]

Hey Christian, I didn't know you brought that knife up with you.. Two of my knives on top of Whitney, COOL!

I keep coming back to see these pictures.. Really amazing trip.. We have to plan to go up Langley next year. I'm starting my diet today

John, what are the ages of the scouts in your group?