Mt. Whitney Summit 10/9/2021

First time summit of highest point in the lower 48 states.
14,508 ft
6,647 ft elevation gain
20.9 miles

Went with a group I met on meetup and hiked with for a year. Had walkie talkies and person at the base monitoring us. Weather was brutal with snowstorm blowing in day before. Temps with wind -4 degrees but warmed up to 15 degrees before sun came out. Started at midnight. First of the day to summit as people had issues with cold, altitude, fatigue. Slow and steady wins the day! After hearing about this mountain for so many years, it’s a great experience. The trail is easy to follow first 6 miles then 99 switchbacks which I found comforting to ascend and took my mind off the cold. Trail Crest takes you behind the spires towards the summit which had ice/snow on the rocks. Will be coming back next July when I’m hiking the entire John Muir Trail in July/August with a Whitney Summit.
Another milestone:I’ve lost 25 pounds since January 1,2021.