What a view-------14,497 feet

Everyone has their place of refuge, the place that they feel closest to God. Mine is, and will always be in the mountains. How can one not be mesmerized by the awesome beauty and power of the earth? Every time I climb a mountain I feel closer to Heaven, and it is my favorite place in the world.

Months ago I began planning this three day excursion to Mt. Whitney. The process involves getting a permit, which is not so easy. There are only 100 quotas a day for the Mt. Whitney trail and it is a first come first serve. We were lucky to get the day we wanted! But on July 22nd all 4 of us drove up to Lone Pine, CA. Lone Pine is a beautiful little town in the shadow of Mt. Whitney. From almost everywhere in town you can scan the skies to the west and pick out the jagged tooth sticking out above all the others. It looks so far away, yet in less than 24 hours I was confident that we would be huffing and puffing our way to the top.

We all woke up at 0100 on the 23rd. Jess and Steph drove Kevin and I the 13 miles up to Whitney Portal (the start of our trail, and the end of the John Muir trail). By 0145 we were on the trail. It was a spectacular night, cool with a 3/4 moon which lit our way so much as we did not even need our headlamps for most the morning. We saw the occasional hiker who was just as crazy as us, trying to summit and return in a day. By sunrise (approx 0540) we had made it just above the trail camp (12,000 feet high-6 miles in). We were glad for the sun to rise so we could warm up a little! Sweat and cold air does not mix well!

Now in the sunlight, we began the difficult park of the trail. We pushed ourselves up the 2.2 mile, 1600 foot climb up to the trail crest. We lost track of switchbacks but has got to be upwards of 75 or so. By the time we reached the crest we wishing it were cold again! Once you get to the crest you are officially in Sequoia National Park, and the view is spectacular. Now only 2.8 miles, and 1100 feet to the top (Unfortunately you lose about 500 feet in elevation so it is more like 1600 feet still! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

We slowly trekked our way around the back side of the peak, and started to see more and more hikers who had camped out high on the trail and had much more energy than us! Some of them would blow by us. Kevin and I just smiled and kept pushing! Soon we were able to see the shelter on top of the mountain and within minutes, and a second wind of energy we took the final steps to the top of this 14,497 foot monster!

We took the time to enjoy the view from the top! It was a beautiful day, clear skies, cool breeze.... just amazing! We ate lunch, and tried to keep a marmot from stealing our stuff! The view was simply breathtaking!

The way down was kind of bittersweet. Sweet because we were thinking about the pizza that was waiting for us at the bottom, but bitter because it was hot and we had 11 miles of toe smashing, knee pounding, head throbbing downhill left. :( But we made our way down, stopping along the way the talk to people on their way up. The common question: HOW MUCH FURTHER?!?!?!? I just smiled and politely said, "Your almost there." I know that they hated me for saying that! lol. We even talked to a rescue team who we watched land their helicopter in the middle of the canyon who were looking from a "dying man from Texas." I can only imagine at this point what Jess was thinking at the bottom!!

In the end, we made it down alive. Our feet were sore, our shoulders hurt, but our pride was higher than ever. We had just climbed the highest mountain in the lower 48 states in one day! It will be a story that both Kevin and I will tell for the rest of our lives.

Yes, Jess and I are horrible at updating this thing, but when we do....... There is plenty to read. We have been so busy over the last three weeks, life has just been crazy. First Kevin and Steph were here for 2 weeks, then 2 days later Nikki flew in. WHEW!!!! It has truly been amazing though getting to spend time with our family, doing so many fun things. Life is good. :) I am taking Nikki to the airport today, however the fun does not stop here for us. In 2 days (on Wed) Jess and I are flying to Reno, NV for the Association of Aviation Ordnanceman 2008 Symposium. This was one of the awards that I received last year, and this time I get to sit on the selection board for this year’s recipient!!!! Fun!

Until next time----->
JoSh and jEsS