Mt. Whitney (6 days) Badwater Basin (6 hours) 2013

We get comfortable and take for granted the many luxuries we have at our finger tips, such as caring family, safe secure shelter and clean and running water.

I don't think this years's Mt. Whitney hiking was physically harder than the Haute Route nor Mt. Toubkal but it was mentally harder. Perhaps because of where i am in my self reflecting stage of life, being on this hike on my own or perhaps because it's been many many years since i called a one person tent home for more than one night, didn't sleep (out of fear and altitude) nor shower for days. No matter though, every hike opens a new door of

insight for me. The people, the sites, our guides, the food, and the extremes made this trip most memorable.

Enjoy some pix.

No matter what hike, nor how challenging, the sites are majestic!

The USA National Parks are natural wonders! 

Where should i hike next????

Day 1

Woke up at 4am...don't know what has me more anxious, the tent mate prospect, the weight of my pack and bag, the WAG bag concept, the 100 degree weather, or the altitude...no matter, it will all be great! 

Leaving Dow Villa for a healthy breakfast @ alabama hills...then to meet the group to start our journey...

Up up and away - the trip of extremes!

Off to the EXTREMES...Mt. Whitney and Badwater Basin in Death Valley!

Getting on a plane to LAX then driving 4 hours to Lone Pine, CA.

Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the 48 contiguous states @ 14,505 feet (Alaska has Denali! and a few more taller than Mt. Whitney). This will be on average 8-10 miles a day, we are takin' the long way round...Supposedly the snow is all gone. It's a pack in pack out adventure.

Badwater Basin, Death Valley, CA is the lowest point in the United States @ 282 feet below sea level and second lowest in the Western Hemisphere.

Going to try to blog on this trip, but have been forwarned, cell service non existent and there are no "plugs" to recharge...

Stay tuned for pix either way! Onwards and upwards my friends!!

First half of Day 1 - Mount Toubkal Hike

After we finished breakfast at eight am, with the snow covered mountains in sight, we drove from Asni to our starting point in Imlil (1680m) to meet our mules and guide. There is one Chief in each village, he manages the workload schedule of every mule used for mountain treks.

Looking and feelin' happy!

The people were always very nice, main language, arabic, Berber in these parts, french as a second language with some english words here and there.

Off and trekking we go. Our guide was most amazing. (His contact details to follow)

Our friends, Lara and Remy joined us.

We had 12 miles ahead of us and 2000m of altitude to gain.

On the initial ascent there are many stores and convincing salesmen, if we stopped every at each one or bought every item we liked we would have never made it out of the gate! There are shops from Imlil to the last one about 2200m.

We stopped for tea at, what i used as a land mark, "white mosque village". Look at the solar panels!!!

Pre hike prepping...

After a long day of traveling, flight from JFK to Madrid, Madrid to Marrakech (9 hours) and 1 hour drive from Marrakech airport we arrived at Kasbah Tamadot, a welcomed luxury!

Next few pix - donkeys, camels and storks oh my...lots of flora and fauna en route to Asni via Marrakech.

Met with our guide...hmmm look ma' there's still snow! So much for hiking daddy's sources!!! 7am start tomorrow.

Packing Up for Mt. Toubkal

Up, up and away! Hiking Mama taking off on another adventure, this time dragging Hiking Daddy along for the ride...

Destination: Mt. Toubkal (4167m) It is the highest mountain in North Africa. The trek to the summit is challenging but non technical. We drive to Imlil a remote High Atlas village to begin.

 

 

Gear: Confused about what to pack...Doesn't seem to be as strenuous as the Haute Route, certainly not as long. Snow has melted, as of two days ago. Weather forecast high 80s by day, lows 60s in the evening. So far have boots, 2 pairs of socks, blister repair shop, sunscreen, hat, poles, water pouch and toothbrush...contemplating gloves, hat and rain gear...still can't bring myself to even look at trail mix since the july haute route hike!

 

Stay tuned to see what I packed, for daily updates and pics!