http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/ Climbed Mt. Whitney via the moderately technical Mountaineer's Route with Yura Friedman and Sasha Kizler. The peak, at 14,505 ft, is the highest point in the "lower 49" United States. http://images.fotki.com/logo3.gif http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/ http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0107.html A glimpse of the High Sierras
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1499/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0107-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:16:30 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0113.html A look back onto Owens Valley from Whitney Portal Road
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1298/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0113-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:16:45 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0121.html Just before heading up from Whitney Portal trailhead
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v572/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0121-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:17:07 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0124.html Whitney trailhead. Mountaineer's Route splits off from the main trail in 1 mile
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1503/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0124-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:17:31 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0130.html A view up Whitney Portal
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1497/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0130-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:18:08 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0136.html Huge granite slabs
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1472/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0136-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:18:34 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0141.html Yura & Sasha after just crossing the falls before climbing E-Ledges
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1298/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0141-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:18:57 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0145.html At the begging of the E-Ledges climb
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v559/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0145-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:19:32 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0151.html On the Ledges
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v522/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0151-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:20:02 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0153.html IMG_0153.jpg
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v530/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0153-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:20:35 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0156.html At Lower Boy Scout Lake. Whitney is hidden in the clouds. Ice wall and Mt. Thor at left.
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v540/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0156-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:20:57 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0162.html You can see Lower Boy Scout Lake and Owens Valley in the background
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1503/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0162-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:21:16 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0165.html Ice wall and Mt. Thor
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1474/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0165-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:21:29 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0168.html At Upper Boy Scout Lake. Storm spilling into the valley over Mt. Russell col
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v1114/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0168-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:21:46 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0174.html Tying the tent down tight was the right move!
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1354/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0174-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:22:04 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0175.html Yura's solution to wet socks and food storage
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1502/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0175-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:22:33 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0176.html Acclimatization hike up UBSL valley. Mt. Thor in the background
]]> http://images109.fotki.com/v773/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0176-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:22:48 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0183.html Yura at Mt. Russell cirque, 700 feet above Upper Boy Scout Lake, during our first acclimatization hike.
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1475/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0183-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:23:06 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0184.html Descending back to UBSL. Damn it was windy up in the cirque!
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v525/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0184-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:23:18 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0185.html Receding in the background: UBSL, ice wall, Thor Peak, Lone Pine Peak, clouds over Owens Valley
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v547/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0185-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:23:38 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0189.html Next morning perfect weather. UBSL & Mt. Russell
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v605/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0189-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:23:54 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0197.html Leaving UBSL for high camp at Iceberg Lake
]]> http://images46.fotki.com/v1492/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0197-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:24:12 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0200.html First close-up view of Mt. Whitney and the two Needles
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1354/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0200-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:24:25 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0202.html Signs of a wet avalanche
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v540/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0202-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:24:43 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0208.html Whitney & the Needles. Yura crossing a moraine
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v616/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0208-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:25:02 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0214.html Maksim traversing the side of the gully. Moraines and Thor Peak in the background
]]> http://images105.fotki.com/v451/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0214-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:25:20 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0217.html Further up the traverse. Whitney wall in the background
]]> http://images105.fotki.com/v443/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0217-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:25:32 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0218.html First glimpse of the Couloir (above Yura's backpack)
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1485/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0218-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:25:56 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0228.html Climbing up steep shute toward Iceberg Lake. My first time on a ~40-degree snow slope
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v535/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0228-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:26:10 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0230.html Sasha in the chute just below Iceberg Lake. Three climbers resting in the gully below
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1298/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0230-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:26:36 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0238.html Maksim right before reaching Iceberg. Whitney and Couloir in the background
]]> http://images54.fotki.com/v564/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0238-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:26:53 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0240.html Sasha right below High Camp (Iceberg Lake)
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1502/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0240-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:27:18 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0242.html Yura reached High Camp. Mt. Russell behind him
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1484/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0242-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:27:40 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0251.html Melting snow @ high camp
]]> http://images54.fotki.com/v555/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0251-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:27:53 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0253.html Setting up camp @ high camp (Iceberg Lake)
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v526/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0253-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:28:13 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0258.html Icebert Lake & Mt. Russell
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1504/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0258-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:28:33 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0259.html Steve & Zhenya descending down the Couloir after sunset
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v530/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0259-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:28:50 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0264.html A happy picture with Zhenya & Steve who just returned from the summit. They're about to head down to camp @ UBSL
]]> http://images109.fotki.com/v792/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0264-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:01 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0268.html Team-mate's body just found by the Korean team's search party. She died barely 100 m above camp. Whitney @ sunrise.
]]> http://images50.fotki.com/v1525/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0268-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:13 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0272.html A round of photos before summit push
]]> http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0272-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:35 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0273.html IMG_0273.jpg
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1298/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0273-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:56 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0274.html IMG_0274.jpg
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v551/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0274-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:30:12 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0278.html Near where the woman died in the night. Our yellow tent is next to the big round rock below.
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v543/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0278-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:30:29 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0280.html At the end of the steep section of the Couloir
]]> http://images109.fotki.com/v782/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0280-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:30:50 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0284.html Yura resting midway up the Couloir. Owens Valley and Lone Pine in the background
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v612/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0284-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:31:11 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0295.html Maksim approaching the scree section just below the Notch
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v529/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0295-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:31:30 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0300.html This view's got it all: the Notch, the Couloir, Iceberg Lake, Whitney Portal, the road, Alabama Hills, and Lone Pine
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1504/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0300-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:31:52 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0302.html Sasha in the Notch
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1501/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0302-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:32:14 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0306.html Sasha checking out the traverse route, looking for the Chute
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1501/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0306-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:32:33 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0308.html In the Chute. That thing was steep, exposed, and somewhat scary as hell!
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v1112/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0308-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:32:53 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0315.html In the Chute. Trying to smile :-)
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1477/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0315-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:33:15 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0321.html Yura @ the summit
]]> http://images105.fotki.com/v451/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0321-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:33:36 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0324.html Sasha
]]> http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0324-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:33:57 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0328.html Yours truly @ the summit!
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1504/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0328-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:34:23 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0350.html View of the meandering Main Trail from the Summit
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v570/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0350-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:34:46 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0352.html Mt. Whitney summit -- customary group photo
]]> http://images47.fotki.com/v1474/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0352-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:35:06 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0354.html We left our mark in the summit register
]]> http://images110.fotki.com/v565/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0354-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:35:22 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0361.html Yure back in the Notch. Notice Sasha & me barely visible up in the Chute (upper left). This picture does not do the Chute justice -- in reality it's WAY steeper!
]]> http://images105.fotki.com/v447/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0361-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:35:41 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0367.html Sasha blow the Cliff; I'm still above, about to rappel down to him
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1504/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0367-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:36:04 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0369.html Starting my rappel
]]> http://images28.fotki.com/v987/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0369-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:36:28 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0370.html I left my sling and carabiner as grateful gifts to the Mountain
]]> http://images108.fotki.com/v1354/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0370-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:36:55 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0389.html Drying our soggy gear in the motel parking lot Monday morning
]]> http://images43.fotki.com/v1389/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0389-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:37:29 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0426.html Masha joined us for Mammoth Lakes and Death Valley
]]> http://images107.fotki.com/v525/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0426-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:37:45 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0428.html IMG_0428.jpg
]]> http://images54.fotki.com/v563/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0428-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:38:03 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0438.html Well-deserved jacuzzi. Mammoth Mtn in the background
]]> http://images49.fotki.com/v1501/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0438-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:38:28 GMT http://public.fotki.com/vokinhsalak/mount-whitney-via-m/img0443.html IMG_0443.jpg
]]> http://images28.fotki.com/v1000/photos/9/164949/7529508/IMG_0443-th.jpg Mon, 11 May 2009 19:38:48 GMT