Mountaineering

The whole experience was tremendous. My own most enduring memories,are of the guides, porters and cooks who took us up there. Whilst I were struggling up with day packs, the porters and cooks were racing up carrying our main packs, together with tents, food and water. By the time we reached camp they had already pitched the tents and prepared a meal. In addition, as we entered the campsite, they greeted us with an African song and dance routine! This was followed by a sit-down meal that was always well presented and palatable (if only I had an appetite). How the cooks managed to prepare spicy chicken and chips at 4,600 meters remains a mystery to me.

Souvenirs: If you are like me and like to get a few souvenirs from your trip, I recommend getting things in Moshi rather than getting them in Arusha if you have the option. Smaller town, easier to navagate, a little more tourist friendly. The Tanzania soccer jerseys are pretty cool if you are looking for a gift for a boy.

I found my biggest enemy on summit day was not the altitude, but the almost unbearable cold. I have spent a lot of time in the cold and grew up in it. I know how to layer and what to wear. But this was a whole new level of cold to me. Take in to account, of course, your personal build and your track record with cold, but I would say plan for colder than you think.

This was an awesome trip and probably the highlight of my trip to Africa. The views, not only at the summit but along the whole trip were simply amazing. The culture of the mountain is so friendly and encouraging as well. As porters pass you, because this mountain is nothing to them, they are almost always positive and remind you to keep going. And I gotta say, reaching the top of a mountain is pretty great.

Come prepared for those un-expected early fall storms. It was 95 degrees when we started our trip to Mt Whitney from San Diego, and it snowed 16 inches at base camp. Nothing like snowballs in summer!

When it is relatively free of snow, from approximately July to October, the Mount Whitney Trail provides a non-technical, but strenuous, route to the summit of Mt. Whitney.

Wilderness permits may be reserved in advance. For more information. click here... Due to the high demand for Day Use and Overnight Mt Whitney Permits, a lottery is held for reservations. There is not a waiting list for cancelations. The space left after the lottery will be available to reserve at the end of April. For trips in May, June or July; apply on April 20, 2011 For trips in August, Sept. or October; apply April 27, 2011 Application to reserve after the lottery.

Bring bear-resistant canister: From May 25 to October 31, backpackers are required to carry a bear-resistant canister; these can be rented at the Interagency Visitors Center south of Lone Pine or the Whitney Portal Store for a nominal fee. Black bears are common along the Mount Whitney Trail. Night sightings of these bears are not unusual. When traveling at night, hikers are advised to wield a bright headlight and a shrill whistle; making many strange, loud noises will alert the bears to human presence. If possible, hikers should travel in a larger group as bears are much less likely to approach a group than a single person.

Only 400 people can make this climb daily, so start early.