Mother Nature had it in for us. Friday morning (3am) we were emergency evacuated from our campsite due to a wildfire just a few miles away. Without any of our gear and unable to return to our camp, our group twiddled thumbs hoping there would be containment on the fire soon. Fortunately, firefighters got the situation under control and we returned to camp that evening, preparing for Whitney the next day. The hike up Whitney was beautiful. No clouds, no wind, and blue skies. It was gorgeous. Everything above 14,000ft was a bit of an ass kicking with the thin air. Coming down the mountain on Sunday, there was more smoke, but this time from a different location than the Friday wildfire. Turns out another lightning storm had caused a new wildfire, this time extremely close to the Whitney portal. We were emergency evacuated yet again… two times in three days. I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunity to hike Whitney. I know a lot of permits were cancelled this weekend. Anyways, it was a great trip with some great people. Glad we made it out safe. … Read More >Mother Nature had it in for us. Friday morning (3am) we were emergency evacuated from our campsite due to a wildfire just a few miles away. Without any of our gear and unable to return to our camp, our group twiddled thumbs hoping there would be containment on the fire soon. Fortunately, firefighters got the situation under control and we returned to camp that evening, preparing for Whitney the next day. The hike up Whitney was beautiful. No clouds, no wind, and blue skies. It was gorgeous. Everything above 14,000ft was a bit of an ass kicking with the thin air. Coming down the mountain on Sunday, there was more smoke, but this time from a different location than the Friday wildfire. Turns out another lightning storm had caused a new wildfire, this time extremely close to the Whitney portal. We were emergency evacuated yet again… two times in three days. I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunity to hike Whitney. I know a lot of permits were cancelled this weekend. Anyways, it was a great trip with some great people. Glad we made it out safe.
