Ascent of Mt. Whitney, 1972

So after Yosemite, we drove on east and south to the Owens Valley and the town of Lone Pine, at the eastern foot of Mt. Whitney, highest peak in the contiguous US. We climbed it via the popular Mt. Whitney Trail, tenting over-night a little more than half-way up. It was the highest we have been, 14,505 feet, until Nepal, and, so far as we can remember, the only significant summit we ever reached together. Not that we didn't try others, but that's a different story....

East Face of Mt. Whitney, from Whitney Portal; note the
two Needles to the left of the summit peak

First day on the trail, resting

Vicki; note nice green crusher hat

Looking back toward Owens Valley; I think we camped near
the lake

Looking toward the summit

Typical terrain; the sky seemed to turn a darker blue at the
highest elevations

Looking west into Sequoia National Park

Now on the top-side, walking toward the Needles and the
summit

Past the two Needles

Vicki on the summit

And me, with attractive red hat