High Sierra Topix

Eight of us backpacked and met on the summit of Mt Whitney, taking different routes and start times. We slept on the summit, viewed the sunrise, descended the main trail (some of us bagged Mt. Muir and Trail Crest Tower) then carpooled to Death Valley to watch sunset from Badwater. We saw the sunrise at 14,497' elevation, and the sunset at -280' on the same day, just like Norman Clyde did 80 years ago.

This was the first backpack I've done in 2 years, first time taking an overnight pack up the Whitney trail, and first time sleeping at 14K. It was an awesome thing to do with BobR and friends.

Wednesday morning - Fall colors


Our goal


Sunset on our way to the summit


Wednesday night - Slept in the summit hut with DaveG and SteveC


Thursday morning - Gathering for the sunrise at 14,497'


Sunrise


Side trip to Muir (CL3 summit block)


3 of us on small summit of Mt Muir (14,012')


Descending Muir (BobR & Jay joined us)


Side trip to Trail Crest Tower (we climbed the wrong one, the guys found it, old register from 1958) Mt Muir behind


Thursday evening - Sunset at lowest point on the western hemisphere, Badwater in Death Valley (-280' elevation)


The white sign says "SEA LEVEL"


A trip to remember

Very nice Snowy!
A lot of first's in one trip, which makes it even more exciting.
What were the morning temps at sunrise on Whitney, and at sunset
at Badwater?

Absolutely fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing this.

That is certainly an epic day and a half!

I finally ran into Bob Rockwell in the Sierra, for the first time, a few weeks ago. It was by Cirque Lake and I was on a 3 day trip to Crabtree Lake. He was disappointed that I wasn't planning on doing Whitney as part of the trip. I was about to boast that I've been on top of Whitney over 25 times, but then I realized he's probably been there 25 times just this summer!

Temps were about 29 at sunrise (14K), and in the 80's (guessing) at sunset (below sea level). I'm just glad I slept in the summit hut. One of the guys froze (didn't bring enough gear, from back east), and had to get to warmer ground as soon as we took our sunrise group shot.

Yeah, BobR is up there almost every weekend now. I hope to be doing what he's doing when I'm in my mid 70s!

Snow Nymph;
Good for you to get out on a backpack trip again, and what a cool thing to do, geographically speaking, seeing sunrise from the highest point and sunset from the lowest in the same day.
CD says props to you.
Cheers,
Herm

Looks like a spectacular trip. Must have been incredible spending the night on the summit! Thanks for sharing

Sounds like this was a great experience, thanks for sharing!

What a cool idea. Congrats on a good time. My one time spending the night on the summit I was treated to a fantastic sunset and sunrise from the summit and the perseid meteor shower in between - quite an experience

Herm, love the quote! Hi to CD! Didn't know you were on here.
Greg/windknot, it was a big event for me, with a lot of "firsts". Was totally mellow for a few days reliving the trip.
Brian, Thanks! And you just reminded me to update my profile. We are neighbors!