One of my "crazy adventure", as my friends lovingly refer to my trips, was to the top of California's Mt. Whitney...14,495 feet. After spotting a tour company on the Internet called Sierra Wildness Seminars who offered guided hikes, I wrangled three buddies together, and reserved the July spot immediately. (www.swsmtns.com. Phone: 888-797-6867. Toll free from Canada: 877-797-6867. Address: 210-A East Lake Street; Mt. Shasta, CA 96067. Group size is limited to eight people. Guide to client ratio: 1:4). I had never climbed a hill, let alone the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States! A wild-hair was the driving force...that, and proof a middle age woman can scale new heights. Joining me on this three day ascent into thin-air were James, Jim, Patricia (aka "Rusty"), and the most significant person on the climb, JB the tour guide. Mt Whitney has thirteen trails open to the public. A wildness permit is required to hike any of them. The permit can be obtained by phoning 559-565-3766 or 760-873-2483/760-876-6200; (web site: www.nps.gov/seki.) The most popular is the Mt. Whitney Trail; it's 11 miles to the summit (22 miles roundtrip). Over 24,000 people annually apply for this trail permit. This is rated Class 1, which means the easiest of the hikes. The trail consists of a well maintained series of switchbacks. Just about anyone in good physical shape, and the desire to reach the top can accomplish this climb. Altitude sickness is the main contributor to the 67 percent failure rate. Some people tackle the Mt. Whitney Trail in one day; I suggest at least two days. There are numerous places to camp along the way. This is the route James, Jim, Rusty & I THOUGHT we were going to conquer. Silly, silly us. Upon talking with the employees of REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) when renting sleeping bags, we were informed the Sierra Wilderness
One of my “crazy adventure”, as my friends lovingly refer to my trips, was to the top of California’s Mt. Whitney…14,495 feet. After spotting a tour company on the Internet called Sierra Wildness Seminars who offered guided hikes, I wrangled three buddies together, and reserved the July spot immediately. (www.swsmtns.com. Phone: 888-797-6867. Toll free from Canada: 877-797-6867. Address: 210-A East Lake
