July 4, 2002.

Mt. Whitney was the second peak on our (Scotty and I) 4 peak itinerary for the day. See the Mt. Muir details page to read about the first 9 or so miles of the hike up the tourist trail. After descending Muir, we headed up the trail for Whitney, stopping to get some water at a melting snow patch. We arrived on the summit 4 hours and 50 minutes after leaving the Portal. Enjoyed the view, took some photos, tossed the frisbee, and signed the register. There were 3 tourists on top when we arrived, but they all started down, leaving Scotty and I in relative solitude on one of the most popular peaks in the U.S. Fed and watered, we headed down the north slope of Whitney towards Mt. Russell. The north slope descent was much more difficult than expected, steep and loose, with intermittent cliff bands and polished slabs. Patient route finding kept the difficulty in the 3rd-4th class range. There were many relicts of past rappels left on the slope, we found a servicable #2 Camalot, and an old ring piton, along with many rotten slings. The descent to the base and the subsequent crossing of the basin to the base of the South Face of Mt. Russell consumed an additional hour and fifteen minutes. See the Mt. Russell details page for info on peak #3 for the day. This was my 9th ascent of Whitney. I have hiked the tourist trail 7 times, and climbed the East Face one time, and the East Buttress (Sunshine-Peewee) one time. For Scotty's takeon this peak, click here.