I really enjoyed your video. I first attempted to summit Mt. Whitney with some friends in 2015 from the portal but a blizzard hit the morning of the hike. The next year we tried again from the portal. The others made it but I got altitude sickness and had to turn around just before reaching trail crest. This was just after my 69th birthday. The next year I tried going solo from Cottonwood Pass but I carried too much and was going too slow so I didn't have time to complete the hike. I turned around at Rock Creek and came back over the New Army trail. So the following year I tried again going solo. I lost a lot of weight. I got my pack down to under 40 lbs and was making great time. At Crabtree Meadows I tried a flavored tuna fish and used some tartar sauce I had grabbed from a restaurant packet which had been in our refrigerator for who knows how long. It didn't taste good but I thought it was the flavor of the tuna and ate it anyway. I got food poisoning. I met a doctor, an EMT and a nurse at different points on the trail while trying to hike 23 miles back to my car over those mountains. I made it but it took a month to fully recover. So I tried again in 2019 after my 72rd birthday going with a friend. This time it was a complete success which began and ended at Cottonwood pass. If I ever get to go again I would take the Cottonwood Pass route. It is a lot more fun and has a lot of interesting views just as you have shown in your video. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
I love that you’re all still smiling despite the bad weather and having to turn around when you’re all so close. I’d still consider this a win. Great video! Not sure about the lightening but I’d invest in an umbrella for future hikes. I’ve used regular umbrellas which I loved but decided to invest in an actual hiking umbrella with the silver sun reflector which I hear keeps you cooler by about 20 degrees and you can use it to collect rain water to filter later. Although it will add weight to your already heavy packs. Thanks again for sharing this fun video!
This is the fist Mt. Whitney video I've run across with a different approach. I'm planning to hike Whitney when I retire in 2024.. thank you for the good example..I'll be coming from out of state and my dates will need to be flexible so I'm pleased to hear that another option is availble besides the hard-to-get Portal trail permit option. I'll need to re-acclimate since I've been living just a few hundred feet above sea level that last 10 years. I did several 14ers in Colorado when I lived in the Denver area.. I really miss the quick access to good hikes; I've been wanting to do some hikes in the Sierras for a long time. I'm hoping I'll be able to make it around to Yosemite also when I'm in the area. You seem like people I would enjoy hiking with.. I'm very easygoing myself.. I hope I get to make some new aquaintences when I'm out there, currently it's looking like I'll have to go solo--my former hiking buddy in Denver has had some health problems that have put him out of the game.. I"m trying to stay healthy myself so that I'm able to enjoy my retirement years. I'm 64 now, but besides a little extra pounds, I'm in good health.. I"m planning to do some hiking north of here in the Appalachians once now and then prior to my upcoming plans in the Sierra Range to get somewhat prepared. I'm hoping I won't have too much of a problem acclimating---I didn't have any real problems years ago when I hiked Blanca Peak in Colorado after just arriving in the state from south Alabama---100 miles from the Gulf. Thanks again, I subscribed and look forward to checking out more of your informative videos for good adventures. Perry M
Hiking Whitney from Cottonwood is so beautiful. It also allows you to have more time acclimating to the elevation. There is so many great hikes around California. Yosemite is one of our favorite places to visit and hike.
I did a loop hike in this area a few years back, it was mostly a two week fishing/exploration trip but I took a day to summit Whitney from the west same as this couple. If you are confident enough in your route finding abilities and you plan your trip in the late summer to not have to worry about snow/ice I would suggest a different more scenic route. Start at the horseshoe meadows trailhead, which is right next to where this video starts but take the fork to cottonwood lakes. Easy 5-7 miles to campsites near water and a good first day yo acclimate since there is almost no elevation gain. Then you can take either new army pass, or if no snow a more direct route over army pass is my preference. You can then head up the beautiful miter basin and over Crabtree pass. Crabtree is a little off the beaten path but still pretty straight forward as far as off trail passes go, class 2 maybe a few moves of class 3. After that the hike through the beautiful Crabtree basin is easy and will take you to Crabtree meadows. The rest of the route is the same as in the video. I took the route the couple in the video took on my way back out and didn’t much like the long, flat, sandy stretch of the PCT. Not a section of trail I’ll likely use again. Easy enough trail but fairly birding imo. Hope you make the trip and have an excellent time!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Whitney is on my list too to do when I retire to celebrate the next part of my life. Best wishes for your hike!
Sorry you weren't able to get all the way to very top because of the storm issues...and they are very real up there. But...have to say you traveled the best route for beautiful scenery/views that I saw on my 3 (2-1/2 )twice in '85 and 1/2 way to base camp where switchbacks kick in (ice from that point on not passable for hikers- need ice climbing gear if attempted at all that was in '91. Hadn't been back since nor could I ever make such a hike today. But your video showed the trail you all were hiking was super pretty.. The final part you had to turn back from is nice to say you got there to look out over the Owens valley area, but in truth you hiked and conquered the best of the trail. My two hikes that got to top was with a companion on one and made it a three day hike from portal to top. Companion stayed at base camp 1/2 way point. As getting to that point was all she wanted of the hike. And I went ahead next day and back, and we went back down together on third day. The seconds hike I was in great physical shape at that time from walking and jogging, and altitude had zero effect on me back then. Went up and back the 22miles from portal start point to summit and sigh-in at top in 7hr 56min round trip total. Just to see how fast I could do it not for scenery. Was a personal goal thing with me at the time. But you all saw the best parts. Enjoyed your video greatly. Plus also noted all my times had good clear weather each time, even when upper half iced over and impassible to hikers. The weather that day was good ...cold but good. Thanks for sharing the video of you hike.
Wow what a great adventure.I would count it as a major achievement,you made it 98% of the way.I made 4 attempts starting when I was 12.Tried both routes.Didnt summit till my 4th attemp.Sometimes nature plays a hand.I bet you will remember this attempt more than the one will you finally achieve your goal.Because the attempt was so eventful.🤗
very much enjoyed watching this, I hiked Whitney back in my teens, and now try to go back to Horseshoe Mdws every summer and usually day-hike New Army Pass, so cool to see you enjoying the same scenery and views and sharing them. Yes, 2021 and 2022 were both wet summers, lots of tropical gulf-of-mexico moisture.
Thank you for sharing this Video! I really enjoyed 😉☺ I been up there Mt Whitney several times with my kids through same way. So gorgeous trail right? Good luck to you guys and hopefully see you someday on the trail!!
Yes! I was doing some research about hiking Mt Whitney. Clicked on a few videos and randomly stumbled across this one. Recognized Zach right away. Good to see you man! -Chris Jenkins
Awesome adventure! It's a shame you didn't make the peak but it was the right call. I never knew about this route, seems much better than the lottery process. I've done Whitney twice as a day hike and it's very grueling.
Looked like a great hike. Never fun not to make your goal, but safety always comes first. The mountain will always be there as they say. Did you notice the "flash" ?? at 19:44 on the top of the highest peak in the frame?
Really enjoyed this video. Like watching friends. What is your elevation at home? This was a very sensible trek for one who lives at sea level as do I. Glad you got home safely.
You were in the Golden Trout wilderness within the Inyo National Forest. For clarification, the Wilderness Act of 1964 is a federally designated area. The FS says "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain".
I wasnt award the lottery for Mt. Witney & somehow this video popped up watched it heck I studied it 😂 & now I’m going this route only difference I’m ending back at Cottonwood because I don’t have a extra car. My hike is for September 2024. So THANK YOU! Oh but I’m going make sure to get a veggie burger also.
I’m glad you enjoy the video. The Sierras are amazing. You are going to have a lot of fun. Whatever backpacking route you decide just make sure you get the correct backcountry permit. If you want to exit Whitney portal it is a special permit. Have fun.
Is there a named trail on Alltrails or something you followed from end to end? I understand it is a bunch of parts of different trails I was just curious if there was a place I could look at the overall route you went easily.
If you look at Mt. Whitney via cottonwood lakes on AllTrails it will show a loop. We did the bottom part of the loop to chicken lake, the river, guitar lake, then to mt. whitney and out the portal. We used a map of the area instead of AllTrails. It is a beautiful hike. You can also do it by the cottonwood lakes which is the upper part. I think they are slight different permits. The key is to make sure to do the exit out of Whitney portal to hike Mt. Whitney.
@@TravelingAtoZ i just recently did Langley as a day hike via Old army pass so i’m a little familiar with the area but not a lot familiar. I haven’t done Whitney yet so will keep this in mind as an option. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Hey thank you for your video, I recently did a day hike with my cousin via Cottonwood pass to the lakes (#3 to be exact). How did you guys acclimate to combat AMS? We're attempting the same thing you guys did end of August.
I recommend getting a Diamox prescription and start taking it about 24-48 hr before. Luckily going from Cottonwood to Mount Whitney you get to acclimate a little bit more than just doing a day hike to Whitney. I get really bad altitude sickness so I always take Diamox any time we’re going to a high altitude place. Some people will take it just when they’re starting to get sick, but I recommend starting prior. If you notice you’re symptomatic then you can always take an extra Diamox. It’s also really important to drink a lot of water as you go up to altitude. A lot of times when people get to higher altitude they don’t drink or eat as much and this will make the altitude sickness worse.
I really enjoyed your video. I first attempted to summit Mt. Whitney with some friends in 2015 from the portal but a blizzard hit the morning of the hike. The next year we tried again from the portal. The others made it but I got altitude sickness and had to turn around just before reaching trail crest. This was just after my 69th birthday. The next year I tried going solo from Cottonwood Pass but I carried too much and was going too slow so I didn't have time to complete the hike. I turned around at Rock Creek and came back over the New Army trail. So the following year I tried again going solo. I lost a lot of weight. I got my pack down to under 40 lbs and was making great time. At Crabtree Meadows I tried a flavored tuna fish and used some tartar sauce I had grabbed from a restaurant packet which had been in our refrigerator for who knows how long. It didn't taste good but I thought it was the flavor of the tuna and ate it anyway. I got food poisoning. I met a doctor, an EMT and a nurse at different points on the trail while trying to hike 23 miles back to my car over those mountains. I made it but it took a month to fully recover. So I tried again in 2019 after my 72rd birthday going with a friend. This time it was a complete success which began and ended at Cottonwood pass.
If I ever get to go again I would take the Cottonwood Pass route. It is a lot more fun and has a lot of interesting views just as you have shown in your video. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
Thank you so much for watching. I am glad you enjoyed it. Congratulations on making it to the top!
I love that you’re all still smiling despite the bad weather and having to turn around when you’re all so close. I’d still consider this a win. Great video!
Not sure about the lightening but I’d invest in an umbrella for future hikes. I’ve used regular umbrellas which I loved but decided to invest in an actual hiking umbrella with the silver sun reflector which I hear keeps you cooler by about 20 degrees and you can use it to collect rain water to filter later. Although it will add weight to your already heavy packs. Thanks again for sharing this fun video!
I will have to look into a hiking umbrella. It may make a big difference for the weather. Thank you.
I admire your good judgment on turning around. You will summit another day! Congratulations on a perfect adventure!
Thank you. The mountain will always be there😊
Chicken lake, pacific coast trail, golden trout forest… I just can’t keep listening.
Welcome to the Sierra’s.
This is the fist Mt. Whitney video I've run across with a different approach. I'm planning to hike Whitney when I retire in 2024.. thank you for the good example..I'll be coming from out of state and my dates will need to be flexible so I'm pleased to hear that another option is availble besides the hard-to-get Portal trail permit option. I'll need to re-acclimate since I've been living just a few hundred feet above sea level that last 10 years. I did several 14ers in Colorado when I lived in the Denver area.. I really miss the quick access to good hikes; I've been wanting to do some hikes in the Sierras for a long time. I'm hoping I'll be able to make it around to Yosemite also when I'm in the area. You seem like people I would enjoy hiking with.. I'm very easygoing myself.. I hope I get to make some new aquaintences when I'm out there, currently it's looking like I'll have to go solo--my former hiking buddy in Denver has had some health problems that have put him out of the game.. I"m trying to stay healthy myself so that I'm able to enjoy my retirement years. I'm 64 now, but besides a little extra pounds, I'm in good health.. I"m planning to do some hiking north of here in the Appalachians once now and then prior to my upcoming plans in the Sierra Range to get somewhat prepared. I'm hoping I won't have too much of a problem acclimating---I didn't have any real problems years ago when I hiked Blanca Peak in Colorado after just arriving in the state from south Alabama---100 miles from the Gulf. Thanks again, I subscribed and look forward to checking out more of your informative videos for good adventures. Perry M
Hiking Whitney from Cottonwood is so beautiful. It also allows you to have more time acclimating to the elevation. There is so many great hikes around California. Yosemite is one of our favorite places to visit and hike.
I did a loop hike in this area a few years back, it was mostly a two week fishing/exploration trip but I took a day to summit Whitney from the west same as this couple. If you are confident enough in your route finding abilities and you plan your trip in the late summer to not have to worry about snow/ice I would suggest a different more scenic route. Start at the horseshoe meadows trailhead, which is right next to where this video starts but take the fork to cottonwood lakes. Easy 5-7 miles to campsites near water and a good first day yo acclimate since there is almost no elevation gain. Then you can take either new army pass, or if no snow a more direct route over army pass is my preference. You can then head up the beautiful miter basin and over Crabtree pass. Crabtree is a little off the beaten path but still pretty straight forward as far as off trail passes go, class 2 maybe a few moves of class 3. After that the hike through the beautiful Crabtree basin is easy and will take you to Crabtree meadows. The rest of the route is the same as in the video. I took the route the couple in the video took on my way back out and didn’t much like the long, flat, sandy stretch of the PCT. Not a section of trail I’ll likely use again. Easy enough trail but fairly birding imo. Hope you make the trip and have an excellent time!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Whitney is on my list too to do when I retire to celebrate the next part of my life. Best wishes for your hike!
Thank you.. you too of course.. get out there.. see you on the trail maybe
Sorry you weren't able to get all the way to very top because of the storm issues...and they are very real up there. But...have to say you traveled the best route for beautiful scenery/views that I saw on my 3 (2-1/2 )twice in '85 and 1/2 way to base camp where switchbacks kick in (ice from that point on not passable for hikers- need ice climbing gear if attempted at all that was in '91. Hadn't been back since nor could I ever make such a hike today. But your video showed the trail you all were hiking was super pretty.. The final part you had to turn back from is nice to say you got there to look out over the Owens valley area, but in truth you hiked and conquered the best of the trail. My two hikes that got to top was with a companion on one and made it a three day hike from portal to top. Companion stayed at base camp 1/2 way point. As getting to that point was all she wanted of the hike. And I went ahead next day and back, and we went back down together on third day. The seconds hike I was in great physical shape at that time from walking and jogging, and altitude had zero effect on me back then. Went up and back the 22miles from portal start point to summit and sigh-in at top in 7hr 56min round trip total. Just to see how fast I could do it not for scenery. Was a personal goal thing with me at the time. But you all saw the best parts. Enjoyed your video greatly. Plus also noted all my times had good clear weather each time, even when upper half iced over and impassible to hikers. The weather that day was good ...cold but good. Thanks for sharing the video of you hike.
Thanks for the info! My cousin and I are going to hit this trail in September. Excited!
It is a great hike. Enjoy!
What a great video. We just took the same route and the streams were super high and lots of snow for August.
Thank you. I am glad you enjoy the video. Congrats on you hike! I bet it was beautiful with all the snow this year.
Wow what a great adventure.I would count it as a major achievement,you made it 98% of the way.I made 4 attempts starting when I was 12.Tried both routes.Didnt summit till my 4th attemp.Sometimes nature plays a hand.I bet you will remember this attempt more than the one will you finally achieve your goal.Because the attempt was so eventful.🤗
very much enjoyed watching this, I hiked Whitney back in my teens, and now try to go back to Horseshoe Mdws every summer and usually day-hike New Army Pass, so cool to see you enjoying the same scenery and views and sharing them. Yes, 2021 and 2022 were both wet summers, lots of tropical gulf-of-mexico moisture.
Thank you for watching. It is such a beautiful area.
Great video I have really enjoyed watching it.
Thank you for watching.
Thank you for sharing this Video! I really enjoyed 😉☺
I been up there Mt Whitney several times with my kids through same way.
So gorgeous trail right? Good luck to you guys and hopefully see you someday on the trail!!
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it. It is such a beautiful hike.
Awesome 👏🏼 That’s an amazing & challenging route for sure. What an adventure.
It was so beautiful. It is a great route. It is nice taking your time to see the views and acclimated to the elevation.
Yes! I was doing some research about hiking Mt Whitney. Clicked on a few videos and randomly stumbled across this one. Recognized Zach right away. Good to see you man! -Chris Jenkins
Thanks for watching! It was a great hike.
Awesome adventure! It's a shame you didn't make the peak but it was the right call. I never knew about this route, seems much better than the lottery process. I've done Whitney twice as a day hike and it's very grueling.
It is a challenging and amazing hike. Someday we will complete it.Thanks for watching.
Amazing hike
It is an amazing and beautiful hike. Thank you for watching.
Thank for share, I actually watch the entire vdo...💕🙏
Thank you for watching.
Thank you 🙏🏼🏕️♥️
Looked like a great hike. Never fun not to make your goal, but safety always comes first. The mountain will always be there as they say. Did you notice the "flash" ?? at 19:44 on the top of the highest peak in the frame?
Really enjoyed this video. Like watching friends. What is your elevation at home? This was a very sensible trek for one who lives at sea level as do I. Glad you got home safely.
We live at sea level. Hiking from Cottonwood is a great way to acclimate and help with altitude sickness.
Nice and informative video
Glad you liked it. Happy hiking.
Good on you guys
Thank you.
You were in the Golden Trout wilderness within the Inyo National Forest. For clarification, the Wilderness Act of 1964 is a federally designated area. The FS says "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain".
Thank you for the information. Happy hiking!
You answered my question! No lottery still okay!
It is nice that there are other ways to get a permit to hike Whitney than having to go through the lottery. Happy hiking.
I wasnt award the lottery for Mt. Witney & somehow this video popped up watched it heck I studied it 😂 & now I’m going this route only difference I’m ending back at Cottonwood because I don’t have a extra car. My hike is for September 2024. So THANK YOU! Oh but I’m going make sure to get a veggie burger also.
I’m glad you enjoy the video. The Sierras are amazing. You are going to have a lot of fun. Whatever backpacking route you decide just make sure you get the correct backcountry permit. If you want to exit Whitney portal it is a special permit. Have fun.
@@TravelingAtoZWhat’s the permit to get in order to end at the Whitney Portal? Thanks!
I see this was posted in August. But when was the actual hike? Looks like April may?
July 16th
Sorry you didn't summit but it seems a good adventure anyway!
You so sweet 😂😂❤if you go again please Invite me thank you for share this Beautiful hike
It is a beautiful hike! I am glad you enjoyed it.
A lot thank you
Is there a named trail on Alltrails or something you followed from end to end? I understand it is a bunch of parts of different trails I was just curious if there was a place I could look at the overall route you went easily.
If you look at Mt. Whitney via cottonwood lakes on AllTrails it will show a loop. We did the bottom part of the loop to chicken lake, the river, guitar lake, then to mt. whitney and out the portal. We used a map of the area instead of AllTrails. It is a beautiful hike. You can also do it by the cottonwood lakes which is the upper part. I think they are slight different permits. The key is to make sure to do the exit out of Whitney portal to hike Mt. Whitney.
@@TravelingAtoZ i just recently did Langley as a day hike via Old army pass so i’m a little familiar with the area but not a lot familiar. I haven’t done Whitney yet so will keep this in mind as an option. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Hey thank you for your video, I recently did a day hike with my cousin via Cottonwood pass to the lakes (#3 to be exact). How did you guys acclimate to combat AMS? We're attempting the same thing you guys did end of August.
I recommend getting a Diamox prescription and start taking it about 24-48 hr before. Luckily going from Cottonwood to Mount Whitney you get to acclimate a little bit more than just doing a day hike to Whitney. I get really bad altitude sickness so I always take Diamox any time we’re going to a high altitude place. Some people will take it just when they’re starting to get sick, but I recommend starting prior. If you notice you’re symptomatic then you can always take an extra Diamox. It’s also really important to drink a lot of water as you go up to altitude. A lot of times when people get to higher altitude they don’t drink or eat as much and this will make the altitude sickness worse.
@@TravelingAtoZ Thank you so much!!!... I really enjoyed your video and will watch more of it and am going to subscribe now of course!