Topo and GPS tracks for the 21mi, 6800ft gain trip up the main Whitney trail.
(plus an extra downhill .8mi back to the campground at the end, but I wasn't carrying my GPS for that)

This was my 2nd summit of Whitney. My 1st ascent was part of an aborted JMT trip that got cut short when hurricane Rita dumped some unexpected snow on the area.

We got about a 4am start after sleeping at the Whitney Portal campground. I had acclimated at Barcroft Gate the night before and ended up having minimal altitude issues today.

The first several miles were by headlamp and this is the Lone Pine lake trail junction. Kurt kept the notebook of time vs. milestones for the whole trip.
Last comment 09/02/2009.

Looking down at Lone Pine Lake as the sun began to rise over the Inyo Mountains to the east. Headlamps from hikers below in the bottom left of the shot.

Stopping for a break along the early trail.

Approaching Outpost Camp which was overflowing with campers this morning.

At a little after 6am it got light enough to put the headlamps away. We'd be breaking them out again in about 13 hours.

Ready to begin the first real set of switchbacks above Outpost Camp.

Another rest stop along the trail before Mirror Lake.

Gen/Kurt adjusting their packs.