Day 33 - Mt. Whitney...

Today the ladies arose early and hit the trail to Whitney. It was a long night as it was windy and the coldest of the trip. (I guess their tents flapped all night!) By 7am they were packed up and on their way up to Trail Crest, el 13,600'.


Nana, Janet, Vicki and fellow hiker, Tommy hit the trail in the freezing cold...

Meanwhile, I was on the other side of Whitney, some 10,000' below in the Alabama Hills photographing the mountain at first light...


Mt. Whitney at first light...

The ladies made good time up the switchbacks that lead up the back side. Along the way, they were treated to spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.


On the way up...

Finally, they arrive at Trail Crest where they can leave their packs for the final push to the top.


Trail Crest...


Only 1.9 miles to go!!


They were not alone for this final journey...

After leaving their packs, the ladies made the final climb to the summit. Once there, they were treated to unbelievable views for 360 degrees. Although it was still quite cold and windy, the girls stuck around for a couple of hours, visiting with fellow hikers and waiting for friends from the trail to make it to the top.


Along the trail to the top...


The Whitney Hut...


Janet, Vicki and Nana celebrate on top!


Lisa celebrates on top!


Lisa signs the summit log book...

Meanwhile, Nana called me on her cell phone and reported in. It was the first time in 17 days that I had been able to speak with her. It was quite a moment. I was in Lone Pine at the time of the call so I headed back into the Alabama Hills and photographed Whitney with the girls on top. We were blessed with outstanding clouds, both for the ladies and their views and for me and my photographic efforts.


Mt. Whitney with the ladies on top! If you look really close...they are flashing all of us. Of course, you need the Hubble Telescope to see them...

After a couple of hours on top, the ladies headed back down to Trail Crest where they shouldered their packs and headed down towards Outpost Camp, their destination for the evening. This would put them into a good position for Saturday morning and the end of the trail.


These cables assisted the ladies in an especially precarious spot...


The solar toilet at Trail Camp. (Apparently REALLY STINKY!)


Their camp for the evening...