To the Summit

Bob Johnson on the rocky trail to the summit.

From Guitar Lakes it is another 1,700 feet of uphill climbing to get to the "Trail Crest".  I timed it for curiosity and it took me 1 hour 37 minutes.  The first young Brits who got to Trail Crest did it in 54 minutes from Guitar lake!  (The two turtles got an earlier start in the cool 35 degree morning temperature!)  

Trail Crest is a point where you can remove your back packs and go the last 2.4 miles and 1,000 feet to the top carrying minimum weight (just water, cameras and snacks).  This is because this is the only trail to the summit and it returns to this point.  Bob and I got to the official top around  10:45 AM.

Bob and Doug at  the top of Mount Whitney!

Heineken can of beer (supplied by Doug) sits on top of the official US Geological Survey benchmark disc.  We shared the beer with the British Army boys and Keith!

14,496 feet elevation.  Top of the contiguous USA.

Hey Bob, we made it!  When do you want to do it again?

52  miles total.  We averaged about 12 miles per day of up and down for four days plus a final almost 4 mile descent from Outpost Camp to Whitney Portal.