Climbing
Two ill-equipped hikers were rescued from Mount Whitney, California, on November 2nd after a failed summit attempt left them exhausted and stranded on the trail. The pair, who had no prior mountaineering experience, began their ascent at 6 p.m. on Friday, carrying a staggering 150 pounds of newly purchased gear and five gallons of water.
Their ambitious plan to camp at Lone Pine Lake and summit on Saturday quickly unraveled. After a grueling 2.7-mile trek lasting until 3 a.m., the hikers were forced to camp on the trail. One reported blisters and a severe headache, which were early signs of their lack of preparation.
The situation worsened when they awoke to snowfall, and their shoes were filled with snow. Using their iPhone’s SOS via satellite feature, they called for help. One hiker disclosed a pre-existing medical condition—a brain mass sensitive to barometric pressure changes.
Inyo Search and Rescue (SAR) began at 10 a.m., reaching the stranded hikers by 1:40 p.m. After resting and allowing their gear to dry, the hikers, accompanied by SAR team members, felt well enough to begin their descent. They reached the trailhead by 3:15 p.m., aided by a Good Samaritan named Bridget, who helped carry some of their gear.
The hikers lacked essential items such as a map, weather forecast information, and a bear canister. They also carried excessive water weight without adequate knowledge of water filtration options available on the trail.
Despite these missteps, the hikers made some good decisions. They stayed together, stopped when exhausted instead of pushing on, and had a two-way communication device that proved crucial in their rescue.
- Related: Hiker Rescued After Unplanned Night on Colorado 14er After Work Colleagues Left Him to Summit Alone
Inyo SAR, an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit organization, emphasized that summiting Mount Whitney requires research, training, proper gear, and experience. They advise hikers to have the humility and self-awareness to turn back when conditions become unfavorable.
Hiring a guide service is strongly recommended for those lacking experience or proper equipment.
Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous United States, reaching an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421.2 m). Located in East–Central California’s Sierra Nevada range, this majestic mountain presents a formidable challenge to hikers and climbers, with its popular Mount Whitney Trail offering a strenuous 22-mile round trip journey that gains over 6,100 feet in elevation.
