Altitude sickness and risking your life to climb a Sierra classic | Mt. Whitney’s East Buttress

Mount Whitney: The gem of the Sierra, the tallest peak in the continental US, and the biggest mountain we’ve ever climbed! Almost a century ago, Mount Whitney was climbed with ropes for the first time and since then, climbers from all over the world have come to put their skills to the test. So naturally, we wanted to climb it too! After a heinous hike on the North Fork Lone Pine Creek trail and experiencing mild altitude sickness, we set up base camp directly below Mount Whitney as we built up the courage to get to the top. It was no easy feat but it definitely checked the box as a High Sierra alpine classic! Enjoy:)
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[@codyandvictoria]

Want to climb Whitney? Check out our full guide here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZiogYmfhrd6bLM 🤙🏼

[@jameshicks990]

I hiked Mt.Whitney when I was 15 years old and a resident of a CA boys group home (Tahoe turning point). Mt.Whitney was the end of a 21 day and over a 120 mile hike on the John Muir trail for us. It's one of my greatest memories in life and while I didn't know it then, it actually help shape me into the person I am today. John, JT, Tom,Ben,Chris,Dean and me (Jimmy). We did it fellas,vwe did it!!! Miss you all.

[@Weapon12]

That's awesome man. I hope the rest of those dudes found there way in life too!

[@craigbritton1089]

Getting out in nature is one of the best therapies for those in " residential treatment" programs. Glad you were helped. I worked for decades with your demographic; and we and the system failed too many.

[@KipJackson]

Love the increased effort in the edits !!!? Get these two a National Geographic special

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha ONE DAY bro!

[@jon112media]

yeah sure felt like it! edited with music in mind plus such a well told and driven story! Pacing was so good also 12:00 looked crazy, but usually it pales in comparison to what it must've felt in person Cody. what a climb!

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks for watching everyone 😊 Want all the details about this adventure? Subscribe and stay tuned for a trip report coming soon! 🏔️

[@mitchellsayer180]

Amazing job y’all. This climb is monumental I feel like most viewers can’t understand how freaking exposed that slab pitch was!

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha camera will never do it justice

[@brianmartin6150]

Congratulations on a true classic! My wife and I love your videos. You guys have such a positive attitude towards life and the outdoors. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

[@SustainablyVegan]

Damn I was STRRESSSSED watching Cody climb that section with no protection. Absolutely amazing views! You guys never cease to amaze me with how you can hike and climb all this, whilst also filming. We've been loving watching all your climbing (and hiking). A real joy to watch xx

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha risking his life for a good climb 😝Thanks so much! 🤗 always a pleasure to have you stop by

[@look585]

Congratulations on your summit, well done!! My wife and I really enjoy your adventures and you keep inspiring us to keep on pushing!

[@Trail_Trash]

Thanks for taking me along 👍👍

[@Douglas.N.]

I'm so happy seeing this video and your adventure as I'm still on a high having summited it only 2 days ago but on the hiking route. Amazing that you guys climbed it! A fan of your channel.

[@codyandvictoria]

Such a huge accomplishment. That hike is honestly so hard. Props to anyone who can do it!

[@kennethhieke6623]

Holy Cow! absolutely amazing! Thanks for taking us along w you 🙌

[@ksawi97]

Wonderful job guys! Congrats on reaching the top! I sincerely appreciate all the hard work you guys put in to make those videos come to reality. The editing is absolutely top-notch, which has been visible for years, but above all, you are such lovely people and that's why those videos are so beautiful ❤

[@johnmckay719]

Thank you for making videos of CLIMBING, not just HIKING. Perfect combination of talking and showing the process. Hope to be able to do some more technical stuff (rock climbing) soon!!!

[@ChrisWorksCreative]

Incredible you guys, just incredible. Congrats for making it to the top of Whitney! Beautiful footage, editing, and people as always. 🤟

[@JREV123]

Epic. Best video yet. Loved the documentary format.

[@antnguyen]

Among many great things about this video, I enjoyed the doc style approach

[@BeckiandChris]

JESUS! what an adventure!!! 😍😍

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks friends! Such a good one and we’ll probably never do it again 🥵 😂haha

[@patycontreras_]

Omgooosh! Guys! This is amazing! I could feel the emotion and the wind blowing the hair at the very top of that mountain! It is almost as high as the Nevado de Toluca!! I’m so glad you did it and accomplished this goal! So happy for you! ❤✨🙌🏻

[@SethandJoncee]

You guys! this vid was great. Awesome to see you overcome the challenges. Felt real for us just watching from the couch!

[@bobpickering1]

An excellent video of one of my favorite routes. Nice job!

[@alissalauren2063]

Incredible. You guys are awesome.

[@wildzenventures]

Impressive climb, nice job you two! The scenery is amazing, thanks for sharing

[@victoriatran6177]

Congrats Cody and Victoria! What an accomplishment 🎉

[@codyandvictoria]

Thank you! It was definitely a huge success for us😊

[@pattysmith9892]

Wow! You two have really improved your climbing skills! I’m impressed! Great video! The view was stunning! 👏👏👏👏👏🧗‍♀️

[@brookelocher7726]

Y’all are incredible!! And this video was documentary status 👏🏼👏🏼

[@overwatchxrescue]

Looks like an epic climb! Congrats for doing it.

[@ChargeOverland]

Beautiful cinematography as always🙌Such a cool accomplishment to not only summit Mt. Whitney but take the climbing route!

[@yzkid100]

You two are gnarly! I have to give it to you. I hiked the mountaineers route two Sundays ago and looking up at that route from the chute was absolutely nuts. Made it look easy

[@BackpackingVideos]

Love the storytelling, cinematography, everything about the video. I climbed Whitney just a few weeks ago as part of the John Muir Trail--it's great to see it from another perspective

[@Marcela.Isabel]

Saw your new upload, read the title and I literally dropped everything I’m doing and clicked on the video right away. First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on such epic ascent of the highest mountain in the lower 48. The altitude can definitely play a huge role on big mountains like Whitney. Thank you for sharing your experience and just being so relatable with your struggles and how yall overcome it. Dried mangoes is the trick 😋 Amazing quality content as always. You both look really good and yes Victoria with glasses on is so adorable. I can’t wait for the trip report and I’m also curious how did you guys got the permit. Also maybe Victoria can share backpacking meals tips on how to make them. Great job guys and Happy Trails!

[@codyandvictoria]

We will keep all of this in mind for the trip report. Thanks so much for the recommendations!

[@jngregg]

One of your best videos yet! Incredible cinematography, edits, music, loved the old film clips! Scary runout! What an adventure! ❤

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks for the compliments!

[@pevidex]

congrats guys, very inspiring, thank you.

[@thathikingguy]

Great Job! This is on my list to hike but man y’all are brave for the climb. Awesome job

[@BrunoPisaniAdventure]

This is amazing! such a great adventure.

[@cailyn186]

I love you guys SO SO MUCH. Just the intro filled me w sm happiness idek how to explain please keep up the good vibes ❤

[@codyandvictoria]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@derrickkelly4745]

Fantastic work you two. One of your best videos yet.

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@billathis]

Fantastic video. The weather was amazing.

[@hungp.8191]

Absolutely stunning.

[@wendywitzig119]

Whoa, how Epic! Congrats!

[@TuckerandAlyssa]

You guys are so cool and a huge inspiration for us!! Keep up the great work!

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@luckistryke13]

Oh man oh man… my hands were sweating watching you 2 climb. Congratulations. After see this I’m for sure going to just hike up lol

[@jasonissertell]

Absolutely EPIC guys!! Feeling inspired YEEW! 🤙🤙

[@codyandvictoria]

YEEEWWW! 🤙🏼

[@SummitForWellness]

Congrats on the successful summit! If you are enjoying your homemade backpacking meals, I highly recommend investing in a freeze dryer. That was probably our best outdoors purchase yet, and the meals we have with us are so much better than anything you can buy. Basically whenever we have leftovers from our meals at home, we plop it into the freeze dryer and have it on our next trip! Definitely worth it, especially with how much you two get outside!

[@woodycarr]

It's really fun to watch you both! Great chemistry. Great edit.

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks so much :)

[@johnblue9498]

Nothing like watching your kids do sketchy ! Glad you made it! Really glad.

[@codyandvictoria]

🤪

[@LashaPirtskhalava]

Amazing video! Stay safe up there !❤❤❤❤

[@drone_boss]

Great Video!! Epic CLIMB!

[@jerrymestas1231]

Great place to be!!!! Nicely done👊🏻

[@meljane8339]

❤ thank you for posting this

[@nancisumaya6157]

Congratulations! 🍾

[@stevee.7419]

Nice work, and great route choice! 👍🏼🤙🏼

[@Mikehastohike]

That is so sick!! I’ll be on the summit next year but I’ll be taking the hiking route. Great on the two of you for taking the hard route!

[@codyandvictoria]

However way you get to the summit is a very proud achievement! Good luck🤘

[@bryanmendezmonroy6149]

Love the POV of both of ya!

[@Keyoff89]

Loving the vibrancy in this one. Not just editing/color, but the attitudes and spirits as well!

[@codyandvictoria]

❤️

[@trailandtravel]

I summited in June just by walking though. That climb looked amazing!! Congrats!

[@Weapon12]

That was a cool video. As someone that is scared of heights couples like this fascinate me. My palms are now sweaty.

[@cwarfield]

Epic! Well done!

[@Karenwhitepaints]

I was in Lone Pine last week, congratulations on completing that climb! Altitude is no joke!

[@codyandvictoria]

Beautiful area! Love the 395

[@RobertBrinson]

Oh, wow! I just summited Mt. Whitney this past Sunday, September 10, 2023, but not the Mountaineers Route! ;-) I backpacked the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow on the west side of Sequoia National Park to Guitar Lake and up to the Trail Junction, where you pick up the Whitney Trail that all of those 20 to 30 other people took! Then I exited out Whitney Portal by going down the Whitney Trail. Unfortunately, the summit was all socked in at the time I was up there. So, I didn't get those views, but I got a picture with the sign! You definitely took the sketchier route!

[@duarte1082]

Incredible video!!!

[@toothnail605]

EPIC! What an accomplishment, great job, really enjoyed it! Been snowboarding up in Mammoth and June Mt for many many years; head up from San Diego lol gonna be looking at Mount Whitney a lil different now, and I thank you for that!

[@Pompomgrenade]

Beautiful documentary, congratulations on your climb👍

[@sosa_uly]

Unreal! What an epic video!

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks a ton for watching!

[@VideoSchoolOnline]

Nice storytelling! Great stuff 🎉

[@ducttapeonthetrail9733]

The color editing is just awesome😙

[@christinabonnyman]

WOW WOW WOW🤩 Incredible video and incredible route! That third pitch literally had my palms sweating😅

[@codyandvictoria]

My palms still sweat thinking about it 🥵

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I've been thinking of doing that documentary style with the self-interview for my videos. Was cool to see it in action here and really adds something to the video. That free solo section there was nuts, my palms are all sweaty.

[@jaylenrankin3594]

Best video yet!

[@codyandvictoria]

Hey!! Thanks a ton.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Wow, this is impressive. I just hiked it and I can't imagine doing it the way you did!

[@codyandvictoria]

Hey! Cool to see you here 🤙🏼 let us know if you want to go climbing sometime 😬

[@stevencall3968]

Sketch just watching... Kudos peeps!

[@crool88]

Great job!!!

[@3Elements]

“Are we bringing the #4” - the ritual opening statement to all alpine climbs.

[@codyandvictoria]

😅 always.

[@brian.walker]

Nice work you two! Way to crush it!

[@codyandvictoria]

❤️

[@TimmyLodhi]

Love love love the editing on this one!

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@MarshallWitkowski]

good video, guys. Keep it up!

[@zacharypajes8072]

Inspiring. Working and training to get to your guy’s level!

[@codyandvictoria]

You got it!! 💪🏼

[@EricSheffey]

Super cool video. I had permits a few years ago and intended to climb the East Face, but wildfires ended up forcing us to bail on our plans. Seeing you lead that run out pitch definitely reminded me of leading the Friction Pitch on the Upper Exum of the Grand Teton earlier this year. Despite the low grade, it felt super sketchy lol.

[@AdventureOutThere]

And we thought the switchbacks were hard. 😂 Congrats guys! Great film!

[@codyandvictoria]

Yeah we saw the 99 switchbacks and thought, "we'll just climb it. It's much easier!"😅

[@peterm8788]

Thank you for inspiring videos.

[@codyandvictoria]

Thank YOU for watching :)

[@EddieB.Realtor]

10:40 I Love the sound of the mountains around you. I moved my phone close so I can hear them. I’ve only hiked it x2 and can’t wait to be back.

[@aspiringelephant]

You guys did a really great job with this video. Thoroughly enjoyed it :)

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks so much. Will be making more soon!

[@zoltanvonsomogyi7272]

I climbed that route over 40 years ago. On the accent we watched a rock the size of a short buss careening down the Mountaineer's route that we were going to decending in a couple of hours. That was frightening! Good job, and great filming! Stay safe, kids ❤

[@codyandvictoria]

Sounds like rocks coming down that route is common (and scary). I think we'll stick to our round -about descent if we ever do it again

[@nicolasguillenc]

Nooo that was so high my hands are sweating!!! Good for you guys, looks fun and the scenery is beautiful

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha I love these “hands are sweating” comments

[@MizzCriss]

Wow 🤩 Amazing video 🤩👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@codyandvictoria]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lourensstrydom9707]

Probably one of your best videos yet! Scary though! My two young boys (Rees, 5 and Evan, 8) enjoyed watching this with me. Rees said, no way! Love all the way from South Africa.

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks for watching! Sorry for the curse words in front of the kiddos 😣 we’re not exactly making videos for kids on this channel but hopefully it sparks an adventurous spirit

[@faithhopkins9261]

Great video 👍

[@brycedybdahl2196]

Met y’all at Glacier Lake. Awesome video! Keep up the good work

[@codyandvictoria]

Yo!! Good to hear from you. Stay in touch maybe we’ll see ya in Vegas sometime.

[@salocin7190]

badass guys awesome video

[@heiser_bill]

“It probably doesn’t look like much on video” - haha, I started getting sweaty watching you guys at several points there, with thousands of feet of air below you. But thats why I’m a hiker, not a climber. 😆

[@Mike-vd2qt]

30 years ago you could summit Whitney at daybreak and no one would be there. Before permits for day hikes were required we could leave the Portal at dusk on a full moon. Jog up with a day pack to below the switchbacks, rest a few hours trailside, finish at daybreak, then head back down. Wool sweater, hat, potable aqua tabs, bag of trailmix, and a snickers bar. Last time I jogged it was my 40th birthday. Great video, thanks for the memories, nice to see the Climbers Route up close.

[@codyandvictoria]

Couldn’t imagine how different things were back in the day. Blows my mind to think people had these places all by themselves. But super thankful that we can still experience it today without high rise hotels and swimming pools.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

@@codyandvictoria If you ever get the chance, take the 50 mile route from Cottonwood Pass, north on the PCT, across Whitney Meadow, and summit via the backside past Guitar Lake for a loop out to the Portal. That route gives a nice flavor of the Eastern Sierra, especially late fall when the crowds thin out. Happy trails ☮

[@healthcoachadrian]

You guys are getting pretty good at a fast rate! I’ll be living through your videos for the next 8-10 months since my firstborn is due in November so no outings for a while! Unless it’s a small camp trip lol

[@codyandvictoria]

Congratulations! Gonna be a wild ride!

[@douglaspfeiffer]

Epic! 😮

[@nickdambrosia2304]

On the hike: Gorgeous but terrifying! On the video itself: Great Edit! Excellent color grade!

[@codyandvictoria]

Yew! Thanks a ton 🤙🏼

[@ofthenearfuture]

This was great! I already knew you guys succeed haha, but it was still Tense at times! And I really liked the talking head shots. But what an epic summit

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha yeah hard to keep the success on the down low 😅

[@jasonblundo1249]

Awesome video and congrats to you both on your incredible summit. I just Climbed Mt Whitney for the third time last month. All 3 times I went up the Mt Whitney trail and did it in 1 day. It was a little tough and it makes for a long day. But the way you went up looks a bit tougher. It's really cool to watch your video and see Mt Whitney from a different perspective. It looks crazy. You 2 rocked that rock and it was inspiring to see. Is this the mountaineer route? Anyway great job and cheers 🍻

[@codyandvictoria]

The hike is no joke! The mountaineers route is a bit different. This is the “East Buttress” climb. Mountaineers route goes up the couloir to the right of the mountain.

[@Lighthesensor]

Edit looks great! And I thought the regular trail was tough 😂 now I have to go back and climb it. Although that no pro spot looks pretty intimidating.

[@codyandvictoria]

You definitely should! Such a great climb! And luckily there's an alternate way you could go to avoid the sketchy no protection part... but that's not how it was original climbed so we wanted to do it the right way😊

[@paulstubbs1843]

That looked pretty terrifying to me on camera 😁 very well done 👍

[@codyandvictoria]

Mission accomplished haha. It was pretty terrifying honestly

[@mormar81]

I don't know about risking your life? If you are an experienced alpine climber you are ready for the climb as you were and as I was, and feel like it's challenging rock climbing that you have reduced risk by knowing what you are doing and doing it well. I never felt my life was at risk. I never saw you get altitude sickness either, but maybe you titled this video in such a way to get more views. I thought the hardest part was managing my breathing between 13,500 and 14,500. Congrats on the EB! Climbing Whitney is a great accomplishment! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do it and will always remember it as something I'm proud of. I'm sure you feel the same way especially since it was only your third alpine climb. Well done.

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks for the comment. "Risking your life" comes from the part where Victoria says "Cody is better at risking his life than I am". I'm curious if you made it that far in the video?. And of course, titles and thumbnails are designed to get people to watch... Same as movie posters and trailers. It's just part of the KZbin game.

[@JJRosasPhoto]

This was insane, had me sweating but now I wanna go and hike up to the top

[@codyandvictoria]

You definitely should! Such a cool experience to stand on the tallest mountain in the continental U.S.🤘

[@markhoffmann5941]

Nice climbing... brought back memories. I soled the East

[@codyandvictoria]

Would be an epic solo!