In terms of hiking in California, Mount Whitney is the Holy Grail. An arduous conquest, especially if you have been strolling a lot more casually. The Mount Whitney trail starts at Whitney Portal, 13 miles west of Lone Pine, California. It is the tallest peak in the lower 48, not so far away from Los Angeles. Mount Whitney has an elevation gain of over 6,100ft and is a top destination in the lower 48. If you have been hiking in California, then you have probably heard of it.
It is such a demanding course that you may need to train for it before heading for the hike. Whenever a person asks me how best to advise them on the course, I get a bit tongue-tied due to how unique this trail is. I believe that we all react differently under certain conditions. Nobody can predict how their body will respond at an elevation where the air is relatively thin. I have seen some quite fit hikers curse their way down mid-point this course, but I have also seen my cousin (usually flippant) pull off the heist. That should go a long way to encourage you on the endeavor.
If you have been hiking for a while, then Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) isn’t entirely new to you. AMS is an altitude sickness caused by reduced air pressure and low oxygen levels at high altitudes exacerbated by physical exertion. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, and sleeping difficulty. In most cases, the good news with AMS the body adapts to the new altitude is termed acclimatization. Hydration and body rest on course should help you recover. And if the body doesn’t acclimatize, then descending might be the next best prescription.
The main trail in the summer and fall may not be a technical climb, but it is no pushover. Hikers usually get the 22-mile round-trip trek done in under 10 hours, while some even double the duration. Unfortunately, about 20% descend after failing to adjust to the new conditions on the trail. In addition, the trail’s infamous 99 switchbacks above 12,000 are every bit as brutal as advertised.
There are a couple of things one can do to prepare for Mount Whitney. There is a low success rate if you haven’t hiked at elevations above 8000ft or virtually stay near sea level (those who dwell in Los Angeles) because the impact of the altitude sickness (AMS) will take its toll. I strongly recommend that you physically train for the hike before applying for a hiking permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Yes, permits are a requirement from May through October, and there are more applicants than permits more than often. The U.S. Forest Service website will update you on other ways you can prepare, things to know before you hike Mt. Whitney. Applications cost about $6 to apply and $15 per person for the hiking permit.
- Ways to Train for Mount Whitney Hike
If you have ideas to hike to the summit of Mount Whitney, then there are helpful ways to get you ready for the challenge.
- Short repetitive conditioned hikes.
If you are living in California, there are so many to choose from. These are usually 1,500 to 3,500ft in elevation. The slight change will help a lot along the way because your body starts adjusting to these small changes. Find similar trails near home weeks before the planned hike and try out walks at least thrice a week.
- Try out Mt. Wilson
After a while on the short courses, it is time to upgrade to much bigger courses. Mt. Wilson, for example, has a height of 5,712ft, 14.5miles, and an elevation of 5,000ft. Which is already thrice or double what you are used to. Mt. Wilson is the real test to get you on track for the significant conquest. Little Santa Anita Canyon on the trail will offer the much-needed distraction with its fantastic scenery and historical markers on route to Mt. Wilson Observatory.
- Try even more prominent Cucamonga Peak
The aim is to get you acquainted with elevation, so upgrading to higher peaks seems like the logical way to do so. Cucamonga Peak is 8,858ft high, 12 miles to the summit, and has a gain of 4,314ft. If seclusion is your thing, then this is a trail you will enjoy in your preparations. The track is a natural beauty worth exploring, especially the path along Icehouse Trail, which allows you a sneak peek at surrounding mountains. After your run-in with Mt. Wilson, adaptation to this trail is a lot easier.
- Close to big leagues, San Gorgonio Peak
At the height of 11,503ft, 18.5 miles to the summit, and 5,492ft gain, San Gorgonio is the last leg of the race before you attempt your significant conquest. The views from Mt. Wilson and Cucamonga Peak are eye candy, but San Gorgonio is what Mt. Whitney feels like in terms of impact on your body. It is a preview of how it feels on the trail to the summit of Mt. Whitney, only a shorter gain and 4 miles off. You are likely to summit Whitney if you can wrap up Gorgonio.
- The big leagues, Whitney preview hike
At this point, you merit a pat on the back for getting this far but do not lose the bigger picture, Whitney. The trick is to acclimatize well. The day before the hike, arrive early enough and spend a few hours at Whitney Portal around 8,374ft and do a short walk up the Whitney trail. That should help you get ready for the actual hike to the summit.
I can honestly guarantee a successful climb if you heed the training manual above. Hiking is a game of experience, and that is built over time. Different landscapes offer different occasions, which are applicable in some other escapades in the future. Hiking is a game of endurance and persistence which requires mental strength at times to pull through. It is worth noting that endurance exercises should get you to the end of the course of any trail on the globe.
