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"

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@bythetimeyoufinishedreadin9083]

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

[@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.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

"He hardly ever dies." Instant sub.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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”

[@sandb1867]

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

[@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.

[@brandonhall182]

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

[@ajjunebug]

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

[@ThroughMyLens]

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

[@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...

[@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

[@vpmm2j]

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

[@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.

[@peterhyperman]

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

[@upsidedahead]

I blew out both my knees just watching

[@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.

[@SingleShotSingleTake]

Great footage of the route. Congratulations and thank you!

[@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...

[@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 👏👏

[@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!

[@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.

[@DM-hw4cr]

Those lakes around you have amazing fishing. Miss Mammoth

[@gilligansisle6914]

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

[@limitless1692]

Wanderful vlog.. And great views :)

[@smileyhappyradio]

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

[@kylemcconnell606]

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

[@foxyMamaIdaho]

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

[@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?

[@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!

[@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!

[@massimolombardi1569]

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

[@standardannonymousguy]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@spencerstokes5711]

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

[@mikemcintosh9933]

Cool images and clouds. Liking your videos :)

[@MediocreAmateur]

Thanks!

[@michellelee427]

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

[@robertmacdonald733]

Nice video. Was always my favorite way to Whitney summit

[@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). =)

[@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

[@shawnwalden2669]

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

[@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?

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

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

[@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.

[@fugley100]

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

[@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?

[@RealSoundNow]

Best video on Whitney I've seen.

[@EduSanjuan777]

I would love to see one of Mt. Assiniboine

[@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!

[@jimmyzee2011]

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

[@stephanpace8678]

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

[@pmk5238]

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

[@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

[@jumolangma8557]

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

[@TheMountainMatt]

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

[@ThuyNguyen-hl4zy]

Great video. Love the story. Thank you.

[@jeffgordonsmom1730]

Y’all stamina is legit

[@buddyrupp6235]

Awesome footage! Thanks

[@chrisc9869]

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

[@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.

[@bethgardner360]

My kind of fun! Good vibes and good times.

[@fritzd2116]

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

[@sergeikuznetcov8240]

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

[@mikel917]

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

[@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.

[@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?

[@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!

[@Crossedlol]

Awesome Channel and videos. Watched way to many already

[@bloomheller22]

Good music.

[@Judd97]

You guys should hit up Capitol peak in Colorado. I'm sure Danny could get some sick footage of the knife ridge with his drone.

[@MediocreAmateur]

We've talked about that peak for a year now. I think this is the year we get out there.

[@Judd97]

Looking forward to that vid for sure. Keep up the great work!

[@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

[@SamSchilling]

"Not too hard, not too technical. Glad I brought the ice axe, a slip there at he end could have resulted in a gruesome death." Classic Danny

[@Predazord007]

Enjoyed this one. Keep it up lads 👍🏻

[@dant3113]

Man I wish I had friends like yours. I'm summiting whitney tomorrow via this route and it honestly doesn't look bad at all. But I'm a bit nervous still.

[@bythetimeyoufinishedreadin9083]

How’d it go?

[@bythetimeyoufinishedreadin9083]

Dan T That’s great to hear. Did you have any experience with an ice axe/crampons beforehand?

[@dant3113]

@@bythetimeyoufinishedreadin9083 I've used crampons before but not too much since I dont live near snow. I havent had experience with ice axes but I do want to summit Whitney again in the winter when there's more snow.

[@johnnysims2136]

So cool! Great video!

[@samjenkins9346]

So sick! Video was incredible quality too!

[@caleshtcincredibles]

got vertigo on some of this, wow.

[@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.

[@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..

[@OutsideChronicles]

Awesome climb, I love your videos. Well done!

[@carlgaebe8699]

You guys are awesome!

[@kentlewan]

Awesome camera work. I wonder how you do that? I was on Whitney last summer ... the descent is painful. Glad you guys got to slide part of it.

[@phoenixking5000]

Great view

[@junkbox7588]

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

[@jaimevega8231]

What a cake walk that was , I mean sliding? Or glistening?

[@28105wsking]

What a beautiful hike!

[@dc2090]

Do you need a permit for Mt.Whitney's Mountaineers route?

[@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?

[@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.

[@owengray485]

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

[@derbagger22]

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

[@nilsalb]

Danny, is there a reason you guys didn’t put on crampons near the top of the mountaineering route?