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Posted by Bill S on April 1, 2008 at 12:43:00 am EDT
In reply to Planning a Trip to Mt Whitney July/August 2008 posted by BigSmoke on December 9, 2007 at 10:19:22 pm EST

Ah, yes, acclimatization. Well, you could spring the big bucks for one of those oxygen deprivation tents that are supposed to simulate high altitude.

As you know, 9-10 thousand is where people start having problems if they head up too fast. The two preliminary day hikes will help. But if you could camp overnight at altitude for one of them, it would be better. For example, if you could camp the night before you leave the Portal at the campground there (abt 8500 ft, if I recall), having done the two dayhikes you mention, that would help more than staying in one of the Lone Pine motels.

As they say on Kilimanjaro, polepole (= slowly, very slowly). Take the hike up to your high camp slowly, shooting lots of photos and enjoying the spectacular scenery. You have plenty of time, so take all day for the first leg, slowly enough that you are breathing through your nose, not having to breather through your mouth. Summit day you can push a bit harder, but still pay attention to what your body is telling you - slow enough pace that you don't have to stop, but a steady pace (the old tortoise and hare business - rush too fast and you waste time sitting and recovering, plus boost your chances of AMS). Hopefully, like me, you will adjust easily.

Keep us informed!

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