@@NorwegianXplorer Agree, this is the best, most thorough video I have seen ever. I am preparing for a July summit and am afraid of heights and your video was so detailed and I know whole heartedly that I will be able to accomplish this based on your video of the actual trail to summit and back. Thank you very much!!
Back in the mid-seventies I had been hiking in Yosemite and decided to drive south on 395 to see the eastern side of the Sierras, a view of the escarpment of high peaks I had only heard about. I hadn't planned to drive up to Whitney Portal, but ended up picking up a hitchhiker who was headed there, so I took him the to the end of the road. He was going to backpack up to the peak and told me how pretty the trail is. After watching him leave I decided on the spur of the moment to throw my trail shoes on just to visit the first lake along the trail. In shorts, a tee shirt and a canteen slung around my shoulders, I headed up. That first lake was pretty and other hikers told me that just a little further up was another that was very pretty. I went to see that one too and yet again other hikers, including the one I had taken up the road, suggested I go just a bit further to see the next lake. A few hours later when I reached the area where folks were camping under the eastern ridge of the peak, they suggested that if I had gotten up there that quickly, that I might want to go just a little further up to the notch at Trail Crest, where I would finally be able to see over to the western side with the many peaks and valleys of the Sierras before me. When I got there it was gorgeous. I saw the sign indicating the peak was less than two miles away and folks told me that the trail from that point on was relatively level compared to what I had just come up. What the heck, I decided that as long as I had come this far, I may as well go for it. The view from the peak in every direction was fantastic. The door of the stone hut at the top was open, but the inside was full of snow. Oops, I guess someone forgot to close it before last winter's snows. No smokey air like you had, but the sky was completely overcast. It was getting pretty cold with no jacket and the few folks up there had left. I was alone for a little while enjoying it. In the seventies, the way up to Whitney was not the crowded, regulated trail it is today. I saw lightning hit Mount Langley and then Lone Pine Peak. Perhaps being on the highest peak all alone was not such a good idea after all. I headed back down, at a fast walk, sometimes jogging. I hid under a rock overhang below Trail Crest when hail started falling, but finally decided I was just going to get colder if I wasn't moving. As I lightly jogged, I kept opening and closing my hands into fists, to keep the blood circulating in my arms. A few hours after I had been on the peak, I was safely back at my car having had a great time on my accidental trip up to the peak. I also recall one thing thing that struck me when I did the peak in 2006 from the backside like you did. I remember looking up as I approached the massive rock wall to the south of Guitar Lake that spanned the view from left to right and thinking it surely must be nearly as high as Whitney. It seemed huge. Later after reaching Trail Crest that wall had shrunk to just be a low ridge that I could easily look over to see the valleys, peaks and other ridges beyond it. That perspective change was amazing and made me feel truly small in in this beautiful wilderness.
Amazing experience just heading up like that, glad you didnt get any frostbite or anything, yes, that climb up from Guitar Lake is special, I was blown away by it even with the smoke, the way its been built is just incredible, I knew it was crowded so I was never that excited to do it, but it really blew my mind!
Lukionest that’s probably the “wackiest” Mt. Whitney day-hike account I’ve read. (Oh, the reckless enthusiasm of youth!) You were very lucky you didn’t become hypothermic up there!
Hiking in Yosemite has been a dream of mine to do 3 4 day overnight trip. Unfortunately I don't have experience to do such a trip. I am physically fit I luv outdoors.. and enjoy good company. My question is would u consider ever letting someone as myself to hire u to do a short overnight backpacking trip as in the Yosemite. I would need to kn what all supplies and equipment I would need to purchase. And of course your fee for the guided trip. Please let me know if this is something u would consider. Thank u again
@@momartinez6109 Thanks for the interest, its not something I would consider doing, I think you need to have a permit or certification to be legally able to do something like that, and I am sure there are already guides in place in Yosemite that you can find. Thanks for the offer though:-)
Just like I remember it......dry, barren, and rocky with not a lot of margin of error for a misstep in many places. Oh how I miss my knees. Thanks for the excellent video!
Just got home from camping and really enjoyed your latest video. My husband and I have often commented on why someone would want to hike Whitney in the dark and miss all those amazing views along the trail ! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Those peaks you showed were truly breathtaking. Looking forward to taking more virtual trips with you.
Another terrific video. And so good to get so much time of the ascent and then extended footage of the summit of Whitney. Definitely on my list! Thank you.
pinkze he say " 26:55- WAV - WHAT A VIEW ! The fact you are there seeing this and in turn making this beautiful video available for the world to see is amazing, a true credit to a true Xplorer, thank you"
I did the sunrise on top of Whitney from just above Crabtree. Left around 1:30am with headlight on until I popped above tree line.. there was a 3/4 full moon and it lit up the entire back bowl. Never used headlamp again that morning. It was the most majestic scenery; absolutely gorgeous! Surreal! Highly recommend it if you ever climb Whitney from that back bowl. You won’t be disappointed! Just make sure the moon is shining!
Awesome I much prefer climbing places like this after it gets light to see all the gorgeous scenery while going up, not much of a sunrise person, when you say Crabtree do you mean Crabtree Lakes, the route going up from upper Crabtree lake past Discovery Pinnacle? I was looking at doing that, I am glad you recommend it!
@@SummitSeeker546 I also did the sunrise, was the only one there. Incredible experience for me to be on the highest peak overlooking the lowest area Death Valley with the full moon setting on the Sierras...in contrast to the hordes of people there normally.
Bravo for this amazing trilogy (Langley/Lakes/Whitney), Mr Jarl ! This brute nature of stones and rocky mountains is really overwhelming ! The trails are dangerous, and require temerity and braveness ! It is also an art of life to rejoice about simple things such as a beautifull morning, the morning-glow on the mountains, the wonderful colours of the lakes, the fresh water of a creek.... and the basic food (I presume you must be longing, now and then, for a healthy good meal, for the comfort of a bathroom, for a nice soft bed...., aren't you ??) I am 76, thank you to take me along on your Sierra Nevada-adventures ! Ghent, Belgium.
Had a chuckle seeing the railing because the Crest Trail with its sharp drop-off was a much more precarious hike. Those with fear of heights need not apply. Absolutely awesome video.
I’m new to your channel and I’m absolutely blown away. My family and I know and love this part of the Sierra Nevada and you did such a job recording the raw wonders... I shared your videos with them and we were literally breathless with amazement. Thank you for sharing your journeys and capturing them in such a way as to leave us awestruck. Carry on good sir! And be safe!
Beautiful. Those amazing trees growing out of the rocks around Guyot Creek and Pass are one of my favorite Sierra trees. The amazing Foxtail Pine grows only in remote high places and only backcountry hikers get to see these trees. They grow in such harsh places they retain their needles for 20 - 30 years creating the look of foxtails on their branches.
Wow what an amazing place and that crazy awesome trail to the summit. I would think you had to be careful where you stepped so you didn't pitch yourself off the side. Thank you Jarl for this beautiful video.
I hiked the Rae Lakes Loop, Mt. Whitney from the east & west sides almost 40 yrs. ago. I've wanted to come back & revisit some of these areas - love the video!
Loved reliving the summit hike through your video. The hike along Trail Crest was truly amazing -- I'll never forget it! Watching your video made me realize how many of those steps along the way are etched into my brain -- I recognized so much of the actual rock we hiked over. BTW we summitted on 9/1/2020 -- we came up from east side and watched the sunrise at the top of the 99 switch backs where we finally got above the smoke and ash -- the ash looked like snow flurries in the beams of our headlamps on the way up. On 9/2 we hiked out from Consultation Lake and the air was clear - so could finally see down to Lone Pine.
One of the best ‘summit bid’ Whitney videos I have seen. What a ‘lunar’ landscape. I can’t imagine how the thru hikers do that in early season w all the snow covering the Trail and just using micro spikes. At 49:49 that valley, and the rock surfaces on the bottom of the valley, look as if it was carved, then polished by glaciers.
Your videos are so beautiful. I love to watch them. I hiked mount witney 2 times in my teens. I have never been to guitar lake but I remember looking down and seeing it on the way to Witney. The way you did seems like it is a more scenic way. I think there is a base camp on the other trail half way up? I wouldn’t want to camp there though, if I remember it was so busy...28 years ago. I do remember the toilets up there though!! I also remember one section that had drops on both sides. I pray some day I can be up there again. Its a million miles away when sick. Thank you for sharing with me your videos and letting me live through your adventures!
I really enjoyed your video, in part because you captured the less-familiar approach to Mt. Whitney from “the back door,” rather than by way the Portal. (I’m sure you were MUCH better acclimatized than the majority who hiked from the east, since you had already topped Mt. Langley, and also walked several days at altitude.) I also liked how you interspersed your excellent visuals with occasional, explanatory comments. I can tell you took some some extra trouble to set up the scenes in which you walk through the frame-very effective. And, the “zen-like” background music pairs well with your narration, lending your video a calming, meditative tone. Your obvious appreciation for the trail and scenery inspires me to do this route, myself, sometime. Thank you!
Thank you Steve, i really do enjoy this immensely, thanks for coming long, and yes I was very well acclimatized, so I didnt feel anything from the altitude at summit
Love it. I've been on the peak twice, once on a spur of the moment, unplanned hike when I was in my twenties, coming up from Whitney Portal after taking a hitchhiker up there and once three decades or so later coming from Mineral King as part of ten day solo loop out and back. I've also flown directly over Whitney in my hang glider when I was in my thirties. All three times were very memorable. Great scenery and as usual wonderful footage from you.
What an outstanding series, and another absolute stunner. Your ability to be so nimble on those rocks all while filming and taking in the incredible views ,,, is amazing. Thank you!
Yours is the best photo shoot of the Whitney climb and there are many. I was there 55 years ago. A little different then. No crowd then, I was there alone then. Your detail on the trail shows some trail improvements have been made. But your great video makes me remember it like it was last week. Thanks.
Jar, did you need a permit to hike up Whitney from the back side? Also, do you have a favorite hiking region? Sierras? Utah/Arizona canyons? Wyoming? Pacific Northwest?
You need a permit to enter or exit through the Whitney Zone yes, but you can visit on a normal backcountry permit if you both enter and exit from the guitar lakes area.
Majestic! It looks like you were walking through some ancient ruins left behind long, long ago! Beautiful! I really enjoy the way you film your journey...I feel as if I am walking the trail (oh if I only)! Thank you for sharing! Stunning! Beautiful! Gorgeous!
In the winter you can just slide down the slope next to the 99 switchbacks, using your ice-axe to brake. It's a rush, and saves a lot of walking. The fencing on the switchbacks helps you get past the ice patches in the shade. From Whitney Portal to the top and back is 22 miles.
Incredible video. I will never be able to do this hike for real in my life so thank you for sharing your hike with me. It was awesome and I was hardly out of breath. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this video! We drove up as far as we could go, then hiked a ways further, but hubby is affected by high altitudes.We enjoyed the area below where the real climbing starts. I always wished I could do this climb, but my old knees won’t make it. Thanks for taking me there with your video.❤️❤️
Those heights get to me even on camera--and then you are leaning over the edge to peer down. I have only just discovered that people make films of their backpacking trips. Very much enjoying your channel. Would love to be able to do this, but not at such heights!
Jarl! Good to see you man. I saw you in the myownfrontier video with Joey Coconato in the Sawtooths in Idaho, and I ended up visiting some of the same places you did and loved them - you and Joey helped me research my trip. I've seen your channel before and didn't know about it, so glad to see it is you! Maybe see you out there someday
Awesome! I love the ruggedness of the climb although some places looked quite scary with very steep sides. Very enjoyable viewing, thanks for sharing your adventures!
Works been killer but finally made the time to catch up in all your Sequoia and Sierra videos. Jarl you've been getting around this crazy year and can't thank you enough for taking us along your adventures. Don't know about you but with the shutdowns and lockdowns it makes me want to spread my wings more than ever. I had a lottery permit for whitney back in June but the trail wasn't opened yet so made other plans. Happy to see many people made the peak this year. Congratulations on your Langley and Whitney summit brother. I made the summit back in 2010 via main portal trail and the cable section was still to sketchy in June that year so we all put on crampons and went straight up and down the snow chute next to the 99 switchbacks. Have stood on top of many summits but whitney is by far my favorite. I agree that section from trail crest to summit is best on earth. Think about the great John Muir doing it before the trail was cut and how much effort went into his summit. Muir is my inspiration. Take care Jarl and keep em coming🍻
I'm watching this on my 82" TV in 4k and it looks like I'm there on the switchbacks. So clear. I can almost smell the granite. Can't believe it was shot on an iPhone.
Great video! Very close in like being there. Many years ago, on a trip to Grand Canyon, we woke up and looked out of the tent and it was gone. Zip, nothing but a gigantic space, filled with solid pale blue smoke from a wilderness fire.
You really did a wonderful job documenting the beauty of this amazing mountain! You also posted this just in time for my Mt. Whitney YT binge session. Thanks for sharing it! I'm so excited to be hiking up Mt. Whitney in a few weeks.
Thanks for your vids/channel! My 15yo son and I did Onion Valley/Whitney summit/Portal in early August and I found the channel earlier while trying to find vids to show my wife what we saw (my pics were good, but video helps convey how majestic it is). Sorry you had to do it in smoke, but envious of all your other days in the Eastern Sierra you've documented.
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this beautifully filmed video. You have a real gift in producing fine quality videos. This video brought back pleasant memories. Decades ago a neighbor and I summited Mt Whitney. We cowboy camped within a stone windbreak and began ascent about 4am. The view from the top was magnificent. The very best to you for good health and safety. I just came across your channel and really enjoy the professional quality of the video. 🤗
Haha, thank you so much, it wasnt that hard at all, I was well acclimatized after 6 days above 10k and one previous fourteener on the same trip and it was only 2500 ft of gain from Guitar Lake. Down to Whitney Portal was a long haul though.
Absolutely incredible!!! I love your videos!! Your videos have inspired me to start hitting the trails. I'm putting together my gear and soon will be out there somewhere!! LOVE IT!!
Summer is really the best time to hike Whitney NO SNOW. 🍻 congratulations 👏👏👏 14,000 fter’s are no joke of a hike...sad the Creek Fire was started by the most dangerous animals on earth...humans 🤦♂️
Excellent video log of the hike up to the summit from the west. I am not able to backpack any more, but began backpacking with my dad in the High Sierra when I was age six. You trips bring back many fond memories, and I've traveled with you to see places I never had the opportunity to visit in person. Some day, you should do the Mt Whitney Mountaineer's route. Just spectacular!
Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoy the videos! Been wanting to do the mountaineers route, so I might just do that if the chance presents itself? Have you done the route in summer or winter?
@@NorwegianXplorer I did the Mountaineer's route twice. Once in early summer while I was in high school and there was lots of snow in the gully and beyond the notch on the way up. We had to wear crampons with ice axes and kick steps in the steeper places. Second time was about fifteen years ago with my two sons. That was in August with no snow. Great hike. Both times, I camped at Iceberg lake. I understand now this route is on a lottery system in summer because it is so popular.
@@NorwegianXplorer The time I did Mountaineer's route in July with snow in the chute, that was a long time ago. Not difficult as I remember. There was a tricky spot above the notch that was icy. The trip in August was just a scramble up the chute to the notch and then up a steeper section to the outdoor toilet. Not technical. I tried one of the East Face Routes in my thirties in July, a 5.7 climb, .I think it was. We got halfway up and the weather changed and began to snow on us. We came down. The Grand Staircase exposure was extreme. The Mountaineer's route reminded me of several scenes in yourvideo on the backside when you looked down a chute.
Another fantastic video, Jarl. I've summited Whitney 7 times, with 2012 being the most recent. My first time was October 10, 1986. Nothing beats the view on a clear day. I really enjoy the "windows" where the trail goes along the very top of the ridge. There is on spot below them, tho, that is my favorite. There is a wall that stands about 10' above the trail, that is easy to scramble up and look over to the other side, which is a near-vertical chute. Can make you a bit nervous to imagine a thin sheet of rock is all that is separating you from that drop :-D You mentioned looking across Bighorn Plateau (one of my favorite viewpoints) to Forester Pass. You can't see Forester from Whitney, there are too many peaks and ridges in between. Beyond Bighorn Plateau would be the upper Kern River, then the northern portion of the Great Western Divide. I hope one day to explore the upper Kern and maybe go over Colby Pass into Cloud Canyon. I think a great loop would be the High Sierra Trail from Lodgepole, then take the trail over Colby pass, down the Roaring River and back around by Ranger Lake and Siliman Pass. Thanks for all the effort you put into these videos. They are welcome relief from the daily grind :-)
Thank you so much Greg,, its a remarkable place Mt Whitney. I did scramble up and take a look down the window you mention, I believe the first shot out on the other side is through that window!! Thanks again!
I like the fact there is not much air up there, but you don't seem to have a lesser stride. The mountain looks like one little push, you could bring down the whole thing the way the rocks are stacked.
Another stunning video!! My hands were sweating as you were walking along the spires. It's sad to see all the fires out there for sure. My wife is a native of Ridgecrest, which is just slightly southeast of where you are, down highway 395.
Thank you, I always feel a connection with Ridgecrest because of its proximity to the Sierra but never taken the detour to visit. Smoke was heavy the last time I passed by.
