Mt. Whitney winter climb

StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
edited March 21, 2013 in Landscapes
Was on Whitney (Lonepine, CA) last weekend, the highest point in contiguous states, about 14.5K. The pictures are at about 12K elevation where we setup base camp. Even though sun was out, freezing wind was relentless and every exposure was commitment to pain knowing that removing mittens would cause hands to freeze for next 20 minutes. Other hindrances were having glasses on so not being to able to see the viewfinder. Removing them not so easy.....had to go around baklava and bandana etc.....oh and pack with camera included was 50 lbs that you have to haul for 8 miles and 4000 feet!

Anyways, hopefully these snaps are WORTH your time. Any helpful suggestions and criticism is REQUESTED.

1) Wind blowing on glacier to base camp

1204_whitney_winter_climb_0028-10-3-X2.jpg

2) Approaching base-camp

1204_whitney_winter_climb_0028-2-X2.jpg

3) Kitchen at base-camp

1204_whitney_winter_climb_0028-10-2-X2.jpg

4) Clouds doing something funky as sun getting ready to go down

1204_whitney_winter_climb_0028-12-X2.jpg

5) Need to go up that chute....

1205_Mt_Whitney_Trail_Camp_0006-95-X2.jpg

Cheers!

Comments

  • WernerGWernerG Registered Users Posts: 534 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    All except the second look as cold as you described it. You captured the weather beautifully. The second looks positively balmy in comparison. Those lenticular clouds in #4 are gorgeous.
    Werner
    http://wernerg.smugmug.com/
  • spacefuzzspacefuzz Registered Users Posts: 102 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    So you did the standard route? I brought my camera up the mountaineers route last Feb and yes that was hard!

    Any photos from the summit?
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    spacefuzz wrote: »
    So you did the standard route? I brought my camera up the mountaineers route last Feb and yes that was hard!

    Any photos from the summit?

    I stepped on my bladder with my crampons on at 1:30 am and helmet wouldn't fit....couple of gear malfunctions....I gave it a try but not being able to reach for my nalgene on chute and taking pack off....I decided to come back. Will try to go up Moutaineer's route in April....and also last weekend in April before season opens, would take this trail again up the chute with proper gear. Got other trips lined up before that though.....please post your Moutaineer's route pics....can use the scouting report!
  • spacefuzzspacefuzz Registered Users Posts: 102 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    Sure, it was a great time but unfortunately we didnt make it to the summit either. Weather moving in and we tried to go to fast and hard.....altitude hit me like a sack of bricks. I really want to try again in a few weeks as well over one of the weekends in April, maybe I will run into you!

    http://500px.com/MatthewKuhns/stories/32937/mt-whitney-mountaineers-route-march-2012
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 20, 2013
    Great pics of an awesome journey, Stumblebum.

    No critiques here, it looks like you have your technique wired quite well, especially given the challenging conditions. bowdown.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • Alpha_PlusAlpha_Plus Registered Users Posts: 253 Major grins
    edited March 20, 2013
    Looks like a challenging few days! But it sounds like quite the adventure! Love the photos, but not a huge fan of the last shot. I'm finding it hard to get perspective... I was thinking if it was shot lower to the water, it might help - it would give more of a reflection and larger foreground elements. Just my opinion...

    Well done
    Karl Lindsay
    Nikon D600
    Samyang 14mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 | Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 | Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
    Induro CT-014 Tripod
    karllindsayphotography.com | Photos on Facebook | 500px
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2013
    Alpha_Plus wrote: »
    Looks like a challenging few days! But it sounds like quite the adventure! Love the photos, but not a huge fan of the last shot. I'm finding it hard to get perspective... I was thinking if it was shot lower to the water, it might help - it would give more of a reflection and larger foreground elements. Just my opinion...

    Well done

    Thanks Alpha! I am sure to return to this spot many more times, and will get down at water level! I love reflections and am going to try and incorporate that angle as part of hitting different angles!
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited March 21, 2013
    kdog wrote: »
    Great pics of an awesome journey, Stumblebum.

    No critiques here, it looks like you have your technique wired quite well, especially given the challenging conditions. bowdown.gif

    Thanks kdog!
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