Hiking Mt. Whitney 2024

Sep 11, 2024 Onion Valley Camp Ground (9600 ft) - Day 01

Today marks the beginning of our adventure. Onion Valley, situated approximately 15 miles west of downtown Independence, stands at an impressive elevation of about 9,600 feet. The access road to this scenic location is typically open from May to November, contingent on snow conditions.

We arrived at the Onion Valley campground in the afternoon, following a six-hour drive northeast from San Diego. The journey was long but filled with anticipation. This campground lies to the west of Death Valley National Park, which, at 282 feet below sea level, holds the record for the lowest point in North America.

The final stretch of our drive was particularly memorable. The road wound its way through the hills, offering breathtaking views as it ascended from Pine Valley. The curves were sharp and the climb steep, adding a sense of adventure to our arrival.

Deer's welcoming us in camp ground

Upon arriving at the campground, we were thrilled to reunite with friends from New Jersey and Texas who had already set up camp. One of the most emotional moments was meeting a high school friend after 28 years, a reunion filled with excitement and nostalgia.

To our surprise, the campground featured well-maintained restrooms nestled in the woods, a pleasant convenience in such a remote location. The area was bustling with enthusiastic hikers, all eager to embark on their adventures. Securing a permit for this trip had been quite challenging, making our arrival even more rewarding.

The first day greeted us with strong winds, causing some concern that our tent might not withstand the night. For dinner, we prepared pasta, a simple yet satisfying meal to keep us going. Despite a restless night with little sleep, I woke up the next day feeling surprisingly energized and ready for the adventures ahead.

Sep 12, 2024 Onion Valley Camp Ground - Day 02

Despite not sleeping well, I woke up early and had breakfast. The bread and scrambled eggs were ready, but I didn’t eat the bread. We then began our hike towards Kearsarge Pass.

Hikers Enjoying The Beauty of Nature

We began our hike early in the morning at 7:44 AM PST, starting at an elevation of 9,191 feet. The cool morning air and the promise of adventure invigorated us as we set off on the trail. The initial part of the hike was a steady climb, allowing us to gradually acclimate to the increasing altitude.

Along the way, we encountered many pristine lakes, each more beautiful than the last. However, I did get a bit frustrated with the Sawyer Mini Water Filter. Its small size made it quite challenging to use, requiring a significant amount of energy to squeeze water through it.

The trail was lined with pine trees, which got me thinking about how these resilient trees dominate landscapes across the globe. From the foothill of majestic Himalayas, along the way to Everest Base Camp in Nepal to the vast forests of the United States and other continents, pines seem to thrive everywhere.

Happy Day - Blue Sky and Mountains in the trail in Onion Valley

Hiking Path and Terrain

After a long and rewarding hike, we finally made it back to the campground. We bought some firewood and I treated myself to a much-needed hot shower. Now, it’s time to relax by the fire and enjoy some delicious food!

Hike Summary

Start of Kearsarge Pass Hiking

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 7:44 AM PDT

Elevation: 9191 feet

End of Kearsarge Pass Hiking

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 2:18 PM PDT

Elevation: 9191 feet

Statistics 

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 7:44 AM PDT
Distance: 10.0 miles

Duration: 6 hours, 33 minutes, and 57 seconds
Average Speed: 1.5 mph
Minimum Elevation: 9189 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11849 feet
Total climb: 2695 feet
Total descent: 2693 feet

Sep 13, 2024 Friday Mt Whitney Portal - Day 03

The next day, we headed to the Lone Pine Campground, where we would begin our hike up Mt. Whitney. On our way, we stopped at a local restaurant on the main street of Lone Pine. I had a tuna sandwich and clam chowder, and both were really good.

It took us about 30 minutes to reach the Mt. Whitney Portal, which sits at an elevation of approximately 8,300 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Mount Whitney trail.

Upon arrival, we realized we had forgotten to print our permit. Although no one checked permits along the way, we decided to head back to the Chamber of Commerce in Lone Pine to print it. While there, I picked up a t-shirt, a cup, and a 3D map as souvenirs.

Later, as we were setting up our tent and preparing for the campfire, we met a guy named Troy. He shared that he had climbed Mt. Whitney 17 times and offered some valuable tips for first-timers like us. Interestingly, he used to live in Mira Mesa, San Diego. His stories were truly inspirational, and the weather was exceptional on that beautiful September day.

September 14-15 - 1:00 AM Mt. Whitney Portal - Day 04

We began our hike with a mix of excitement and a bit of uncertainty, our headlamps lighting the way. Bear signs were everywhere, and bear canisters were provided at both campsites to store our food safely. I packed about 3 liters of water in my backpack, and the first few hours of hiking in the dark were amazing as we started our ascent.

The weather was perfect, not too cold, which added to our enthusiasm. Although I didn’t sleep well the night before, waking up at 1:00 AM due to my overactive mind, I felt somewhat rested thanks to a good night’s sleep after our long hike at Onion Valley the previous day.

As we made our way up the trail, we encountered many fellow hikers. It was clear that many people were ahead of us, their headlamps dotting the mountainside like stars. The sight of all those lights moving up the mountain was both inspiring and reassuring.

As we climbed higher, the sun began to rise, casting a beautiful glow over the landscape. The mountains looked pristine and majestic in the early morning light, making all the effort worthwhile. It was a day filled with excitement and awe as we continued our journey up Mt. Whitney.

Sun Rising - Beautiful morning as we continue to climb...

On the hiking trails, we could sense the excitement and joy of people from all over the states and countries. As we climbed higher, the terrain changed dramatically. The lush pine forests gave way to vast expanses of rocky terrain, dotted with beautiful blue lakes. Some of these lakes were icy, while others were clear and inviting.

We also passed through Sequoia National Park, adding another layer of natural beauty to our journey. The diversity of the landscape was truly breathtaking, making each step of the hike an adventure in itself.

Heading nearer to the Mt. Whitney Peak

Finally, we reached the summit of Mt. Whitney! Some hikers were behind us, and a few were ahead, but standing at the top was a beautiful moment of excitement and joy. We did it!

The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, and the views from the highest peak in the contiguous United States were absolutely breathtaking. It was a moment to savor and remember forever.

Top of Mt. Whitney 14526 feet

US coast and Geodetic Survey Benchmark 1925 - Mt. Whitney

Hike of Mt. Whitney Summary

Start of Mt. Whitney Hiking

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 1:37 AM PDT

Elevation: 8371 feet

End of Mt. Whitney Hiking

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 6:51 PM PDT

Elevation: 8351 feet

Statistics

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 1:37 AM PDT

Distance: 22.4 miles

Duration: 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 25 seconds

Average Speed: 1.3 mph

Minimum Elevation: 8356 feet

Maximum Elevation: 14526 feet

Total climb: 6709 feet

After 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 25 seconds, we finally made it back. That night, we had a well-deserved rest, camping at the campground. The next day, we headed back to San Diego, CA, feeling accomplished after conquering the highest peak in the continental US.

What’s next? Hiking the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, soon!

Hiking to Everest Base Camp

 

When I decided to go to the Everest base camp in early 2023, It was full of excitement and a euphoria. Although, born and raised in Nepal, with the country of majestic Himalayas including Mt. Everest, I have never been to the northern part of the country where mountain rules the human’s imagination, where passion meets the euphoria and nature shows the complexities, human has never imagined.  Himalayas were calling me far from away this time and I was ready for the caravan.

April 01, 2023. We started the trip. It was long flight to Kathmandu – The capital of Nepal. It was more than 25 hours flight with couple of hours starting from San Diego to transit in New York City and Doha. Doha’s airport was amazing with trails of footballs all over the place, the hangover of the football world cup. We were traveling to the opposite part of the earth and yes, it was almost mid night there when we flew from San Diego at 9:25. When we landed in the Kathmandu international airport, the chaos of mismanagement was depressing but feelings of excitement were unhinged. After staying in the Kathmandu, Nepal for couple of days, we headed towards the Everest base camp.

Day 01: April 06, 2023. We reserved a jeep from Kathmandu to Manthali, a rural town in a valley with 1640 ft altitude in the eastern side of Kathmandu. It was four hours’ drive passing through the rides and small villages with agricultural land. We stayed at freedom hotel, which was good and ate nice dinner. We can also see the small, tiny airport from where we will be flying to Lukla, the world's most dangerous airport.

On the Way to Manthali, Ramechap

Day02: April 07, 2023. We had a flight with Tara airlines. Something the airlines did and unexpectedly our flight was early in the morning. There was a single air hostess in the airplane and half of the airplane had a cargo. The small twin Otter plan flew up in the sky and with the feelings of it touching the ridges of the mountain, we finally landed in the Lukla, the world’s most dangerous airport in the world. There is no way that plane can stop when taking off from the airport, the runway is too short. Search the YouTube and look some videos.

Tara airlines - half passenger half cargo! what's going on ?

World's most dangerous airport, Lukla Airport, Nepal

As we start to walk higher in the mountains from Lukla, Rhododendron, Dzo, mule, yak rule in the higher altitude, glad they are well trained and give you the pass when you met them. We found hikers from all over the world, Thailand, France, Singapore, German and also met a Tunisian French surgeon.  We stayed at Phakding, a small mountainous village. The Team is ready! 

                    Happy Dogs of Lukla

In the way to Namche Bazaar, Rhododendron flower.

Day 03-05: April 08, 2023. It was a nice trip from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, a harsh mountain and many suspension bridges. For the sake of altitude sickness, we stayed in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization.

Sagarmatha National Park,  Namche Bazaar

Day 05: April 11, 2023. We went to viewpoint which was 12,100 ft.  Story of Sherpa, Tamang and Rai – three ethnicities that rules the rural Himalayas, was interesting to learn on how each ethnicities tried to control the upper Himalayas. Most Sherpas are businessperson in Namche, and Sherpas are also trainers for mountaineering although our guide was a sherpa. There was old airport on the top of the Namche Bazaar. We met people from Australia, Cambodia, Switzerland and India. Rai’s are working on almost every hotel in Lukla. Even with newest democracy and secular country, equity and equality remain at horizon. We also met a PL/I programmer from Germany, who spent most of his time in IBM and Siemens writing assembler. Finally, after six hours we arrived at Pangboche at 2:00 PM.

On the way to Pangboche from Namche Bazaar.

Day 06: April 11, 2023 , the next we reached a Dingboche, small town of twenty-thirty lodges. We also went to the French bakery café – which was really nice.  We met people from all over the world in the lodge to name; Israel, England , Germany , French.

Dingboche 

Day 07: April 12. We had breakfast at hotel mother earth, lobuche. Drink hot chocolate at the world’s highest bakery café in the elevation of 4930 meter, met folks from Colombia. The next day we will reach at the Everest base camp. My heart was pounding a bit when I was sleeping, it was an oxygen issue, or something related with altitude sickness. Nevertheless, I didn’t have to take the altitude sickness medicine. It was also a sad day because on that day in the year 2023, three sherpas lost their life in Khumbhu Ice fall.

On the way to Lobuche

Worlds highest bakery cafe

Day 08:  April 13 As the altitude goes higher and higher, the cost of food increases exponentially. You even have to pay for a flask of hot water and charging the phone about 5$ each. Source of electricity is the solar panels which are not so efficient in the high Himalayas. One thing I was surprised was the huge number of hikers coming from the Asian countries and how things both culture and economy is changing in that part of the world. Nevertheless, median age of hikers skewed in 50s.

 

Day 08 : April 13: We left for Gorakshep at 6:35, the final destination from where we can climb Kalapatthar and go to the Everest base camp. We reached Gorakshep at 9:00 am. The helicopters fly every seconds – sometimes for evacuation, often to support logistics to the climbers. We can see the tent all over the places in the Everest Base Camp. We ate at the highest altitude restaurant – 5190m. The same day we went to the Everest base camp, take some cool pictures and call it a day. It took an hour thirty minutes to reach the base camp. The big, majestic stone was amazing.

way to Gorakshep

Way to Everest Base Camp

The final stretch way to Everest Base Camp

Finally, Everest Base Camp , April 13, 2023

Happy Face

Day 09 : April 14 We woke up at 330 am in the morning and make our way to the “Kala Pathar” – black stone, although we met couple of people on the ways, but we were the first one to climb the Kala Pathar.  It took 1hr 30m to reach the top of the Kala Pathar. We also met a girl from Czech Republic. There was a majestic view that you can see from Kala Pathar and Kala Pathar was 18519 ft, which is higher than Everest base camp, 17598 ft.

Mt. Everest from Kala Pathar. 

Day 10: April 15 The new day began, and we are going down from today, glad we accomplished, it was a difficult hike, but we are going down. We arrived in Pangboche, it took about eight hours.  We will be heading to Namche tomorrow. We are racing against the time. 

Day 11: April 16, we headed towards the Namche. It was really easy going down but still it was beautiful and amazing. There were about 12 people in the room ready to eat dinner every day and there is always a furnace in the center of the room and wooden logs. 

Day 12: April 17. We headed towards the Lukla from Namche Bazaar, still the hike is all about going down, meeting yaks, Dzo and mule along the way and passing through the suspension bridge. Wondering about these himalayas and when I am going back again. Sometimes you see somebody working in potatoes field. I bought few bracelets and two T-shirts.  Everybody looks happy slept in a very nice room adjoining to the Lukla airport.  Next day we fly to the Ramechap  from Lukla, the world's most dangerous airport and we were back to the Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal

What an amazing trip, I would love to do it again. Thank you Jeweltrek.com and our Sherpa Rinzi for making this trip wonderful.