Mount Whitney: Taking the Mountaineers Route to the Highest Peak In the Lower 48

[@james_w]

"The thing about Blake is that he hardly ever dies"

[@t.mitchell9135]

Thinks to self: “That doesn’t look so bad.” Remembers these guys ran up Mt. Rainier in one day: “Never mind.”

[@iwasadeum]

Lol right? These guys are straight up mountain goats.

[@felix-ve8jk]

I think as long as you prepare for the trip you should be fine. I haven't done it yet but I'm researching the possibilities and talking to plenty of people (including Elevation Sierra Adventure in Lone Pine) and it should be feasible for any regular hiker in at least decent shape.

[@felix-ve8jk]

Keep in mind this is the Mountaineers Route...there are several other routes that are easier.

[@t.mitchell9135]

felix Thanks! I’ve only ever done one alpine climb out west (Mt. Timpanogos )so I think Whitney isn’t really on my radar at this point. Maybe it will be after I get a few higher peaks under my belt though!

[@nathansexton5668]

Hah! I wish they’d explained a few parts, specifically the ebersbacher sheer granite cliff midway thru the vid

[@gogerwi]

Danny, Blake, Arron, you guys are super fortunate to to have the friendship that you do and and share the incredible hiking passion you do. Thanks for taking us along.

[@camstatik]

I climbed Mount Whitney when I was 14 as a Girl Scout. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Especially to sign the book at the top of the mountain with my name. I remember distinctly that a storm came in really fast, and you would be amazed how 20 people got down that mountain so fast. LOL. It’s absolutely amazing to see forest on one side and desert on the other. It was about a 15 day expedition. We went through Sequoia national Park so I did not come up the way of the desert. A.k.a. lone Pine. I will never forget that experience. Getting able to see Hitchcock lake below mount Whitney was absolutely astounding.

[@nicthegiant]

"A grown man should not share a tent if he does not have too" spoken like a true outdoorsman/ backpacker

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

"He hardly ever dies." Instant sub.

[@jorgehernandez2938]

"I'm so pumped on friendship!"

[@DCMACNAMARA-vh6op]

🥒

[@bboss8048]

I miss Blake.

[@hurricanearrow]

This is literally me every time I manage to reach a summit.

[@bythetimeyoufinishedreadin9083]

8:59 that's one of the coolest shots I've seen, well done.

[@mcats8]

What an inspiring channel. The friendships, the fitness and adventures. Just awesome !

[@finesupplements9698]

Good job. You guys make it look like a casual “walk in the park”

[@mikesepicphotos]

Somehow this 6 year old video just came onto my recommended videos. I have watched a lot of Mt. Whitney summits. This is BY FAR the best one I've seen. Nobody has captured the beauty of this hike like you guys did in this video. Awesome work!

[@brandonhall182]

This is seriously one of the best day hike to summit videos I've ever seen. Whitney is mind blowing, great job!

[@kenwbrenner]

Very nicely done (as usual). Thankful you all made it up and back safely. That one steep stretch looked pretty tough... In 1976, when I was finishing my Navy time in San Diego, a couple of my buddies from the submarine I was on decided to do the hike up Mt. Whitney. It was May, and we found out the trail was still snowed in. So, we did Mt. San Jacinto instead. While you took a different route, I appreciate your doing that hike for me so I could see the views from the summit. God Bless for safety...

[@HikingNerd]

I can't believe this video has been out for nearly two weeks and I'm just seeing it now. Loved the shot at 6:18! You guys are a hoot, keep up the great work! One of my favorite channels.

[@TheRealTomWendel]

Well done! Good to see you in the Sierras. Lots of great adventures there. If you haven’t been to the Palisades and Bishop Pass, those are great places to check out. Thousand Island Lake is another. That Mountaineer’s Route is not a casual stroll. There have been a lot of long falls, and many deaths. I did it in March with International Mountain Guides. It seems like it might have been easier both getting to the couloir and going up it when it had a lot of snow. At that time of year days are usually warm enough and nights are generally freezing, so you have to haul an overnight pack.

[@MrUrmother22]

1st time I did this I was 12 with my dad and uncle. Changed my life. I know live in Colorado and miss this mountain so much. It has a special place in my heart.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Such a good video and amazing scenery. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@peterhyperman]

Absolutely amazing views. Surreal place for sure. Thanks for sharing!

[@ajjunebug]

The slide down part!!! I love that, that would be a dream at Whitney lol. These guys are awesome.

[@sandb1867]

Great photography and editing. The views are stupendous! Great job guys.

[@VagabondLobster]

My dad and I climbed mt. Whitney together. Loved seeing some of the familiar sights in the video. That sliding down looked a lot more fun than the 99 switch backs. Lmao. Brutal

[@upsidedahead]

I blew out both my knees just watching

[@SingleShotSingleTake]

Great footage of the route. Congratulations and thank you!

[@wayphun72]

I walked there from Mexico, climbed that mountain and then continued on to Canada, twice 2011 and 2013 ;-) -Spitfire

[@virgo714]

Wow... nowa thats an accomplishment 👏👏

[@richardsokolis7314]

Did this back in 1972 and slid down that snow chute. It was ice when I did it. Shredded my jeans and long johns. What a blast.

[@vpmm2j]

I hiked Mt. Whitney in 2009. Love watching your videos, makes me want to climb mountains again 😍

[@aliensoup2420]

You guys really kicked this! I did the same route 12 years ago in late Sept. with no snow and it took me 16 hours. 10 up and 6 down. Started in the dark and ended in the dark. Of course, you shaved a couple hours off by skipping the switchbacks and sliding down. Good thing you didn't smack your butt on a rock.

[@Antinarella1]

Awesome job! I hiked Whitney in July of '18 with my 3 best friends. It was the most gruling and breathtaking hike I've ever done. The scenery in and around Mt. Whitney is unmatched. No amount of photos or videos can ever do it justice. This video makes me miss it. Well done...

[@kylemcconnell606]

"he hardly ever dies".... great video!

[@trevorpullen3199]

"A grown man doesn't share a tent, if he doesn't have to". I (a grown man) recently shared a 2-person tent with a buddy (also a grown man) and two large dogs. It was cozy, I'll put it that way.

[@jacksonhall5725]

But did you want to?

[@gilligansisle6914]

That one was awesome guys!Beast mode for sure. Great job it looked like so much fun! good music too.

[@jo-jobighiker5552]

If you do the trail, then it's 11 miles each way, and you climb from the 8600' parking lot to about 14,500'. Takes about 15-18 hours round trip. If you start at 3 AM, you summit around noon. Or you can make it a 3-4 day pack trip. Mt. Whitney has the highest outside toilet in the lower 48! On a busy summer weekend, the 99 switch-back's look like one of those ant farms.

[@shawnwalden2669]

awesome!!!!! thanks for taking us along!!

[@DM-hw4cr]

Those lakes around you have amazing fishing. Miss Mammoth

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Summer is here 👍🏽👣👣👣👣🏔bring on the videos, great job guys

[@smileyhappyradio]

Great attitudes, and video, inspiring me, to just go do it, experience life, regardless of the obstacles in my way...

[@JohnnyBGoode-yi4kp]

Just started watching your mountaineering videos and loving them! Just wondering- why do you guys always run downhill? Is it just to get down faster because of boredom, to alleviate stress on your knees, or to just keep up a decent workout all the way down?

[@foxyMamaIdaho]

Inspiring as usual! And your commentary is joy to hear.

[@abalone317]

Great video!!! As a classical musician, I also very much enjoyed the music as well :)

[@erbium4308]

HR2!

[@jakollee]

@@erbium4308 ever heard Vladimir Horowitz’s performance of it? It’s like he has three hands!

[@standardannonymousguy]

I'm digging the videos! It totally looks like something that I would love doing!

[@michellelee427]

You guys are amazing! Thanks for hiking so that I don't have to, and still enjoy the view!

[@brandonarrastia]

When I went I had standard bates boots, and the crampons wouldn't properly fit, so the chute took us over 5 hours because I kept sinking the snow! We got close to the summit but didn't make it :/ Congratulations on the climb and great video!

[@spencerstokes5711]

My favorite video y’all have made so far! Thanks for the inspiration 👍

[@stephanpace8678]

Just use the ice axe if your glissading down a peak best way to make sure no accidents.

[@limitless1692]

Wanderful vlog.. And great views :)

[@RJ-hi5pw]

Looks like a great hike. I went for a USA roadtrip in June and drove past Whitney on the way up to Yosemite. Would love to go back to hike it, and the snow slide definitely looks like a great way down!

[@TheMountainMatt]

That hike is on my list! That view is unbelievable!

[@robertmacdonald733]

Nice video. Was always my favorite way to Whitney summit

[@johnbednarski5114]

using crampons in that last icy stretch would have made that final part of the climb a lot safer

[@MediocreAmateur]

I totally agree.

[@Type2stoke]

Why use crampons on the accent when you can just wear them as you glissade down...with your ice axe strapped to your pack...

[@jakollee]

I’m confused? Someone was wearing crampons, visible at 4:39-4:41. I think I even see front points at 4:36.

[@mikemcintosh9933]

Cool images and clouds. Liking your videos :)

[@MediocreAmateur]

Thanks!

[@RealSoundNow]

Best video on Whitney I've seen.

[@SingingMagick]

My dad and I did Whitney last august-I cannot tell you how jealous I am that you got to slide down the 99 switchbacks

[@jimmyzee2011]

awesome guys!!!!!! thanks for making great vids for us to watch.

[@buddyrupp6235]

Awesome footage! Thanks

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

You might be right. But my cello teacher Margaret Rowell went to Mt. Whitney with horse and buggy and scaled the summit. Her Son has climbed mountains on all continents. Oddly enough, he died in a plane crash.

[@chrisc9869]

Wow blake really missed out on the way down! Glad you guys made it up their

[@VincentTamer]

I really enjoy your videos! I appreciate the range of music you use, cutting in classical at times especially! I am curious what you are using to film? It seems like some go pro footage but I notice you have a larger camera (sony?) as well. I asking because I am seeking a camera that is better than my iphone but not too large that it becomes an annoyance on my backpacking trips. Thanks!

[@fugley100]

I did a day hike regular route out and back. I left at 1am got back at 5pm. You guys are fast.

[@Rwmd953]

I have a mountaineering book from the 80s and it just says for any sings of altitude sickness to take a opiate painkiller if your body sore from a hard day opiate

[@austingalb1709]

You guys ever share a list of the gear you are using in these videos? Very interested in the make and model of the packs ya'll are wearing. Thank you.

[@KevAlberta]

The best pack is the most comfortable one for your body

[@mkgreenluv]

So am I?

[@jeffgordonsmom1730]

Y’all stamina is legit

[@pmk5238]

You guys are amazing..you make it look so easy!

[@keithboone4800]

I noticed that you use bottles versus a hydration pack. What do you think the advantages are?

[@nightmareon.E53rdst]

1-When your in Oxygen debt its easier to poor than suck through a tube. 2- Easier to refill at a stream This is why I prefer bottles..

[@ThuyNguyen-hl4zy]

Great video. Love the story. Thank you.

[@bethgardner360]

My kind of fun! Good vibes and good times.

[@EduSanjuan777]

I would love to see one of Mt. Assiniboine

[@johnnysims2136]

So cool! Great video!

[@juangarcia1974]

This vídeo was so awesome and very informative, thank you for sharing and one question what month of the year was this?

[@MediocreAmateur]

Thanks! May 18th

[@michaelkniephof2959]

I always enjoy your vids! Keep 'em coming. It was cool to see you guys trail-running in the Uintas a few weeks ago. We're gonna frame that picture that we took with you guys. =) (We'll have to Photoshop Blake in though). =)

[@caleshtcincredibles]

got vertigo on some of this, wow.

[@Predazord007]

Enjoyed this one. Keep it up lads 👍🏻

[@PatrickGalbraith]

gotta do this in 4 weeks in prep for Aconcagua. BTW - what anti-nausea pill did you take? I'd like to get out of tech and have this job!

[@sergeikuznetcov8240]

Awesome video! It is so hard to be at that altitude, but you keep a great attitude!

[@massimolombardi1569]

Mamma mia che montagna è bellissimo stare sospesi ad oltre 4000 metri .Grandi.

[@mikel917]

I'm a hiker, but not in their league. Wow. Beautiful hike.

[@fritzd2116]

Great video. Your enthusiasm is great to see. Subscribed!

[@nickdannunzio7683]

Awesome... what time of year? what was the change in temperature? did you have anything other than water? total elapsed tie vs. your estimated time? recommendations on what to / not to bring? would you do anything differently? (are items you should add to enhance this vid for others)... Thanks for sharing...

[@bloomheller22]

Good music.

[@mikem1925]

“A grown man shouldn’t have to share a tent…” Amen Danny. I became a convert to that philosophy when 3 grown men shared my tiny 2 man tent and spent the night on a rock ledge at 12,500 with t’storms and rock fall. To add to the experience, my buddy had elevation sickness and spent the night crawling over me so he could puke over the ledge. Thanks for the memories. Love your channel. Btw, I will be climbing with that same guy in the Tetons in 2 days. Backcountry hardships build great friendships, don’t they? Peace

[@jumolangma8557]

You guys are ready for an attempt at Mt. Everest. Or Mt. Denali at the very least.

[@ES-ge7bb]

Wow, what a day hike! Like your sense of humor. Approx what time did you start and end?

[@MediocreAmateur]

We started just before 6am and finished around 2:30pm.

[@carlgaebe8699]

You guys are awesome!

[@phoenixking5000]

Great view

[@chepelabrat]

I would love to see you guys do the JMT unsupported or supported make for an amazing adventure, welcome to my backyard the Sierras

[@MediocreAmateur]

I hear that's a tough permit to get? We would love to do it especially after getting a glimpse of the area. It's an awesome place!

[@karlplaysdrums]

Sierra.

[@harrisonaero]

@@MediocreAmateur Not if you do it south to north. It would be a natural for you guys to do fastpacking. Find someone on one of the forums (FB, etc) that is going southbound and arrange a shuttle swap.

[@Crossedlol]

Awesome Channel and videos. Watched way to many already

[@uprightape100]

Cool.....might add originally the Bad Water To Whitney 135 miler footrace was a 142 miler and went ALL THE WAY to the top. In July. Starting in frickin Death Valley.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Awesome climb, I love your videos. Well done!

[@owengray485]

What pill did you use to help mitigate the altitude sickness?

[@samjenkins9346]

So sick! Video was incredible quality too!

[@28105wsking]

What a beautiful hike!

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Great stuff! Subscribed to your channel. Look forward to the next video. I will be taking inspiration from your videography for my own videos. How did you make that map animation?

[@junkbox7588]

You guys are bad ass ! You make shit look East.. Blake keeps you guys balanced.

[@frozenragu]

Blake's gotta cut out the soda and fast food...I was thinking about him this morning after a rare can of coke last night 🤣

[@keithharrington7350]

from what point did you do the glissade? Can you send a map screenshot of the spot?

[@alexsupremewolf]

Is this comparable to the Longs Peak Keyhole Route? Is it more sketchy or technical?

[@derbagger22]

"Fighting off nausea" is universal for had the runs...

[@Govanification]

Have ice axes, don't use them for glissading. Great vid guys but that's a good way to get dead if you tumble or get going really fast.

[@rivernet62]

Do you mean, don’t glissade with *crampons*?

[@gt40f]

@tyvek05 he's absolutely right, glissades can get out of control. They aren't kidding when they say they are amateurs they are physically fit but their technical aspects are amateur

[@jamesbadham228]

@@gt40f While they may not follow textbook technique, these guys are wayyy experienced. At a certain point, you are able to be in a situation and understand the quality of the snow, the steepness of the terrain, the temperature - in a word, the environment around you - and reasonably assess whether you are safe or not. They were not sliding fast and were completely in control. The slope did not get steeper as they went down. No big deal.

[@shawnpatterson7924]

What tights are those? I've been running the Arcterx and I can feel the cold humidity a lot. Do they work good? Temp range that you'd run in them?

[@MediocreAmateur]

Aaron said they're an old pair of salomon 3/4 tights and he says he loves them. On the day we did Whitney I'd say the temperature ranged from 30's-60's? I run in a pair of Swix with small wind panels on the thigh and shins. I find them to be pretty comfortable in colder temps.

[@505fastlife6]

I live at 7000 feet. Would it be easier for me to adjust to alltitude like this than someone who say lives at sea level? Edit: are Blakes sunglasses prescription i noticed he wears glasses?

[@sergeikuznetcov8240]

When you slide down on snow (glissading is a fancy word for that) you should use an ice axe to be able to stop or slow down yourself.

[@tyrbaldur5317]

@Phil M would a loop help if your wrist were in it?