Pacific Crest Trail, Mount Whitney Summit Climb

Although Mount Whitney is not directly on the PCT, most hikers want to climb the highest mountain in the US (excluding Alaska) at 14,505 ft. So we leave the trail and hike about 2 miles to the Crabtree Ranger Station. This is the last permitted campsite for PCT hikers before Mount Whitney. It is like a base camp: unusually many tents at this spot, a small river, and a bear-proof box for the bear canisters and equipment that is left here during the ascent. I leave the campsite the next morning with light luggage shortly after six o'clock. It starts out relaxed, past the timberline and Guitar Lake. Then the ascent begins and it zigzags up the mountain. Challenging, but with beautiful views of the landscapes and lakes. At a fork in the road, day hikers also join in, coming from the Whitney Portal to the east of the mountain. On the last few meters, I can feel the altitude, it becomes noticeably more strenuous. Overall, I manage well, as I have already been hiking at 9,842 ft for the last few days. There is a festive atmosphere at the summit: photos are taken and snacks are eaten. Up there, I have a cell phone signal for the first time in a long time. After an hour, I start the descent and finally arrive tired but satisfied back at the campsite.