Day 1- Summit

8/1/18  The second part of my impromptu 24hr challenge. I needed to summit Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous US within 24 hours of being at the lowest point, Badwater Basin in Death Valley.
DSC00687 Morning view from the day before at the Visitor Center. The Mt. Whitney summit is perfectly highlighted in the sun. I had been nervously watching the weather...
Morning view from the day before at the Visitor Center. The Mt. Whitney summit is perfectly highlighted in the sun. I had been nervously watching the weather…
DSC00855 Most people picking up permits were talking about starting on the trail by midnight or 3am at the latest. That seemed ridiculously early to me. I was planning...
Most people picking up permits were talking about starting on the trail by midnight or 3am at the latest. That seemed ridiculously early to me. I was planning…
DSC00858 Heading up the canyon in the early morning light. First view of the impressive cascades of Lone Pine Creek.
Heading up the canyon in the early morning light. First view of the impressive cascades of Lone Pine Creek.
DSC00866 Sunrise over the White Mountains to the East.
Sunrise over the White Mountains to the East.
DSC00868 The moon was still high overhead as the granite was washed in the reddish glow of sunrise.
The moon was still high overhead as the granite was washed in the reddish glow of sunrise.
DSC00873 A footbridge through the flooded meadows. I believe this is new since the last time I was here 15 years ago.
A footbridge through the flooded meadows. I believe this is new since the last time I was here 15 years ago.
DSC00875 Now officially entering the strictly controlled Whitney Zone above Lone Pine Lake. For all the extreme hassle in getting permits, I was dissapointed that I...
Now officially entering the strictly controlled Whitney Zone above Lone Pine Lake. For all the extreme hassle in getting permits, I was dissapointed that I…
DSC00879 Looking down at Lone Pine Lake still early in the morning. I've been making great time so far.
Looking down at Lone Pine Lake still early in the morning. I've been making great time so far.
DSC00884 The creek and meadows at Bighorn Park with Thor Peak in the background.
The creek and meadows at Bighorn Park with Thor Peak in the background.
DSC00891 Family breakfast in the meadow.
Family breakfast in the meadow.
DSC00897 Thor Peak above the meadow and deer.
Thor Peak above the meadow and deer.
DSC00900 Made it to Outpost Camp at just above 10,000'. It's just after 7:00am, and I'm still feeling confident in my pace. I hadn't seen many people on the trail so...
Made it to Outpost Camp at just above 10,000'. It's just after 7:00am, and I'm still feeling confident in my pace. I hadn't seen many people on the trail so…
DSC01024 A nice waterfall on Lone Pine Creek above Outpost Camp.
A nice waterfall on Lone Pine Creek above Outpost Camp.
DSC01026 A waterfall like this would be a massive attraction in Southern CA. Here it doesn't even have a name.
A waterfall like this would be a massive attraction in Southern CA. Here it doesn't even have a name.
DSC00903 I believe that's called Wotan's Throne. It's cool looking whatever it is.
I believe that's called Wotan's Throne. It's cool looking whatever it is.
DSC00909 Mirror Lake. I didn't stay long and hoped to take more pictures on the way down when time hopefully wouldn't be an issue.
Mirror Lake. I didn't stay long and hoped to take more pictures on the way down when time hopefully wouldn't be an issue.
DSC00911 Trail Crest still high above.
Trail Crest still high above.
DSC00917 Looking down at Lone Pine Lake and the meadows now far below.
Looking down at Lone Pine Lake and the meadows now far below.
DSC00926 Looking down at Mirror Lake.
Looking down at Mirror Lake.
DSC00933 The cascades flowing below Trail Camp.
The cascades flowing below Trail Camp.