Almost to the End of Day Two, So I'd Better Summit Up...

We reached the top of the mountain around 1030 hrs, which is not a fantastic rate when you consider that some trail runners can finish the whole thing in about 3 hours, but it was not a bad clip either. During part of the journey I wondered how long it took to build an 11.2 mile trail in such extreme conditions; that question was answered by the plaque above. Can you believe it only took TWO YEARS?! Incredible...



For some reason, my father doesn't look too winded in this picture...



And finally, the main reason I came on this trip: to reach the summit with my dad! See the road over my shoulder that eventually disappears? At that vanishing point is about where the city of Lone Pine is.



Now, I had told you that this trip took some interesting twists and turns. If you recall back to the legally blind man who nearly scaled Mt Muir (which is kinda bizzarre in and of itself) it might interest you to know that it was also his 50th birthday the day of this trip. Regardless, it will definitely interest you to know that he decided to commemorate the whole affair by packing up a $150 bottle of Dom Perrione champagne to the top of Mount Whitney!

Since the entire contingent was composed of engineers for Raytheon, naturally there was a huge pool betting on what altitude Mike's bottle would explode at. In the end, he won out, uncorking the beast at the apex of the mountain, and everyone in the vicinity was adequately rewarded with what is perhaps the BEST champagne I have ever tasted.

I dare say, that was the classiest birthday party I had the honor of being invited to.