On July 26, 2007 a group of San Luis Obispo County residents will be attempting to climb the highest peak in the continental United States; Mt. Whitney.

Our team of five will depart from the Central Coast of California early the morning of Thursday, July 26th headed for Whitney Portal. Once we check in at the ranger station, we will trek to Base Camp at 12,000 ft. There, we will make camp for the night, eat and rest up for the early morning summit.

Friday, July 27th at about 4:00 a.m., we put on our headlamps and depart Base Camp for the Whitney Summit at 14,505 ft. After traversing the famous 99 switchbacks to Trail Crest, we will sign our names in the climber's book located on the peak and begin the grueling 11 mile decent back to Whitney Portal.

Once at Whitney Portal, a campfire will be struck, tents will be set and we'll rest our tired feet next to a hot fire.

This web blog will document the training and preparation for the climb and then cover the actual climb itself. Hopefully, this will be helpful to future mountain enthusiasts who wish to pursue this achievement.

Failure is not an option.

Chris Wickers
San Luis Obispo, CA.