LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1501551
LOCALadk 38 Forester Pass (13, 200') was our biggest and L AST pass of the hike. It's the highest point along the Pacific Crest Trail. The views up there are worth every step. Despite the height, we didn't find reception BUT we did find a joyful moment of celebration. Descending into Bighorn Plateau, the image of Mt. Whitney drew near and set us up for an awkwardly short mileage day. We contemplated pushing to the summit, but Michael had a vision of a sunrise ascent that captivated the rest of us. We settled at Guitar Lake, staging our sunrise ascent of Mt. Whitney. The Kentucky boys and I decided that we didn't want to put away a damp tent at 2 AM, so we opted to cowboy camp beside one of the most beauti- ful vistas I have seen in my life. Under a well-lit moon, we started hiking the 3,105 ascent to Whitney. The first three miles are full of switchbacks. We almost didn't even need headlamps. The moon was so bright. Once arriving at the Trail Crest, some sections of trail get a little hairy. There is some rock scrambling and some parts that are narrow with steep drops. It didn't matter in the dark. I distanced myself from the group as we got close to the summit, charging with a wide smile. At 5:39 AM I had reached Mt. Whitney (14,505'). It was a moment of perfect laughter. 211 miles through the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains ends here, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. About a half an hour later Michael appeared with "Searcher," then Anna and Sonic, then "Wish-Wash." High fives flew as we got comfortable on Mt. Whiney in our sleeping bags waiting for the sun to rise. Granite hands outstretched to the rising sun, wel- coming us stinky thru-hikers like garden ants. Hues of orange and purple emerged as the six of us enjoyed what we collectively called the most beautiful sunrise we had ever seen. Those sixteen days in the Sierra's were incredible. Some of the happiest days of my life. I'm thankful for the chance to meet wonderful people, discover the sublime, experience our beautiful public lands, and return home to my favorite moun- tains—the Adirondacks.