... climbing Mt. Whitney (14,494 ft. - 4417 m)

Mount Whitney is situated in the Sierra Range. It is the highest peak in the United States except for Alaska. This is the reason, I think, why many people climb it: for the challenge of being on the highest mountain of the "lower" 48 states. Other than that, Mt. Whitney is not that great - my opinion, of course! The view from the top is not irresistible and the trail is really boring. What makes climbing Mt. Whitney strenous is the altitude and the weight of your backpack if you plan to stay overnight.

Here there are some pictures:

Mount Whitney as seen from Lone Pine
The looong way to the top
Mirror Lake (10640 ft. - 3243 m)
Base Camp at Trail Camp over Consultation Lake
Trail Crest and ...getting closer
Finally ... ... over the Top.

Summer 1996: climbing Mt. Russell (14,086 ft. - 4294 m)

Maps about the pictures
Alberto Nannarelli ( alberto@ece.uci.edu )