Mount Whitney

USA / California / Lone Pine /
 mountain, summit, nature conservation park / area
Named for geologist Josiah Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states.
First known ascent was in 1873.
Shown for many years on U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey maps with an elevation of 14,494 feet (1929 datum) but when the base geoid was recalculated in 1988 (NAVD88 co-ordinates) the elevation was revised to 14,505 feet.
The "Mountaineer's Route" up the north-east side was pioneered by John Muir.
36.5785°N, 118.2923°W (WGS84/NAD83)
USGS MOUNT WHITNEY (CA)

The yellow outline traces the 14,000 foot contour.

peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=2829
www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=36.57859&lon=-118.29237&d...
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Whitney
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   36°34'34"N   118°17'39"W

Comments

  • I ascended this mountain in the summer of 1981. It was a lucky break that there was no thunderstorm on that day, too. The one striking recollection I'll always remember was how out-of-breath I was. It was a constant with breathing hard, but with the thin air, the lungs just did not fill with air. Progress was slow, too. Take a few steps, then had to stop for a moment's rest, then take a few more steps. If you do this hike, be sure to carry plenty of water. Not much water found on the trail [above the tree line], and its safety is doubtful.
This article was last modified 7 years ago