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The next morning Jean was groggy, even after getting up to have
breakfast.
We packed up our camp and got ready to drive to Mt. Whitney. It
wasn't until nearly 11:30am that we left. The drive past Tioga
Pass has some wonderful views. I'll probably stop at some of the
turnoffs when I have the time.
We stopped for gas on the way, and then again in Bishop for lunch
at Burger King. I was a bit concerned about taking too long. Some
of the drive was at 7000 feet elevation, but after a while we
dropped down to 4000 feet, where we would stay through Lone Pine.
We checked into the motel there. We took turns taking showers
and getting our food ready for the next day's assault on Mt. Whitney.
We finally started the drive up to Whitney Portal at about 5pm.
The drive is one of the highlights of the trip. Mt. Whitney towers
10,000 feet above. But first the road weaves through the Alabama
Hills, which have a completely different characteristic. Then
it's up, up, up the steep switchbacked road. It's actually a very
short drive -- only about 20 minutes.
The camps at Whitney Portal are set relatively far apart, which
was a welcome change from Tuolumne Meadows. Reza, Weihaw, and
I set up the tents while Jean and Jennie prepared a delicious
meal of filet mignon and corn on the cob.
Filet mignon the night before the hike. Reza looks a little hungry!
We were now at about 8000 feet elevation. We got prepared for
bed, and had everything packed and ready for a quick getaway in
the morning. But then Weihaw revealed that he'd forgotten to bring
sunglasses. He was willing to do without, but we convinced him
that was a bad idea. Raw sunlight at 14,496 feet can be very damaging
to your eyesight. Jennie and Weihaw drove down to Lone Pine to
get sunglasses for him.
While they were away, Reza, Jean and I enjoyed the sun setting
over the Mount Whitney massif. The sound of rushing water provided
a pleasant backdrop.
Just about the time that Jennie and Weihaw returned, about 8:40pm,
I came to a disturbing realization. I'd forgotten my hiking socks.
Not only that, but I'd forgotten my entire bag of clothes, which
included my jacket. I could get an extra pair of socks from Jennie,
but I couldn't do without my jacket. Jean and I drove down to
the motel, where I'd left it all. So it wasn't until about 9:30pm
that we were finally able to get into our sleeping bags. By then
it was completely dark, and everyone else was already asleep.
Or trying to sleep.
The campsite next to us had a campfire going and they were talking
and drinking beer. After enduring this for about a half hour,
Jean finally told them to please keep it down.
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