Mount Whitney: The Complete Trailhead-To-Summit Hiking Guide

Tail Winds
If you're up for the challenge you'll want to get a copy of [this book].


Book Description
Offers a full range of options for every kind of hiker, novice to experienced Covers not just the Mount Whitney Trail, but also several lesser-known or -used routes Includes route descriptions for five other 14,000+ footers-Langley, Russell, Muir, Tyndall, and Williamson Mount Whitney draws nearly 30,000 visitors each year. A good portion of them climb to its top via the Mount Whitney Trail. But there are less-crowded trails to the summit that traverse some of the most stunning terrian imaginable. This hiking guide is the definitive, most complete resource-not just to the Mount Whitney Trail, but to those others as well. Excellent, well-researched route descriptions and planning information make this guide an exceptional resource. A section on what to expect covers weather, high-altitude problems, hydration, and the wildlife you might encounter along the way. Trip-planning tips, plus information on wilderness permits and regulations, thoroughly prepare hikers for any kind of outing, from a one-day ascent to a week-long backpack to a night climb. Paul Richins, Jr. has been skiing and mountaineering for more than 30 years. He is the author of 50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboarding Summits in California. He lives in Eldorado Hills, California.


From the Author
Based on many years of backpacking and ski mountaineering experience in the Mount Whitney environs, I have carefully-crafted this guidebook to include thirteen hiking routes to Whitney's lofty summit for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. Eight routes follow established trails over their entire course while five others traverse seldom-trodden trail-less terrain linking one trail with another before reaching the highest point in the 48-contiguous states. This coveted peak has much to offer those willing to leave civilization behind and explore the vast wildernesses surrounding this magnificent mountain. The book is an important resource for all outdoor enthusiasts regardless of experience and skill level. The first several chapters focus on safe and enjoyable wilderness travel. The later chapters contain detailed descriptions of single-day and multi-day ascents of the peak. Several of the cross-country routes are difficult: probably more difficult than you might imagine. Those attempting these excursions should have extensive route-finding experience and be in excellent physical condition. Not only have I hiked each route depicted in the guide on foot but I have traversed the region on mountaineering skis several times. Based on these many experiences, I was careful to describe the potential difficulties one might encounter on the cross-country ventures. However, it is easy to get off-route where further complications can occur. A well-conditioned and experienced hiker may be required to tackle these unanticipated difficulties. I hope you benefit from the guidebook, but more importantly, that you have many opportunities to safely climb to the top of Whitney. I would be happy to answer any of your questions. I can be reached at prichins@jps.net or my website the Backcountry Resource Center. Happy Hiking, Paul Richins, Jr.


About the Author
Paul Richins was raised in Weaverville, California, and started hiking in the Trinity Alps at age 12. He has more than 35 years of wilderness experience backpacking, mountain climbing, ski mountaineering, and white-water kayaking. As a longtime member of the American Alpine Club and the Sierra Club, he has participated in a number of major expeditions to Alaska (West Ridge of Mount Hunter and the South Ridge of Saint Elias), Canada (East Ridge of Mount Logan), Argentina (Cerro Aconcagua), and Tibet (Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest peak in the world). Paul Richins and two climbing partners completed the first ascent of the Southwest Ridge of Stortind, an impressive peak in the Lyngen Alps of northern Norway. In addition, he has climbed many other peaks in Norway, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, and the western United States. He has hiked extensively throughout the Sierra Nevada and has climbed hundreds of peaks in California. He has climbed Mount Whitney by the various routes detailed in this guidebook and has completed a ski ascent and descent of Mount Whitney’s Mountaineers Route. Paul Richins is author of the highly successful ski mountaineering guidebook 50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California: Mount Shasta to Mount Whitney. He also maintains the Backcountry Resource Center, a website of valuable information for the backcountry skier, climber, or hiker wishing to explore the mountains of California, the United States, Canada, and beyond. Professionally, Paul Richins is an economist working as a project manager at the California Energy Commission, overseeing the work of a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, and environmental scientists. He lives in El Dorado Hills, California, with his daughter, Sierra Nicole Richins. Paul Richins is interested in your feedback and encourages your comments on the book. His email address is prichins@jps.net.


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