Activities: Rock Climbing

Ok, vacation is almost over. Now you are ready for the most famous mountain in the Sierra, Mt.Whitney. At 14, 495 feet it is the tallest in California and the lower 48 states. But first, go down to the town of Lone Pine and check out the brand-spanking new Eastern Sierra Mountain Center. Built by the legendary Doug Thompson, owner of the Whitney Portal Store, this is the place to grab a shower, buy some chalk (who needs chalk in the mountains?), sleep with a roof over your head (price of a bed should be no more than a pound of beef jerky) or find out about conditions. Conditions? Well, you won't have to worry about conditions. This is California! Sun shining 'till you can't tan no more...unless it is afternoon thunderstorm season. Watch it! A lot of Whitney climbers met their end as a lightning rod atop that peak. After a fine meal at the Mt. Whitney Restaurant or Margie's Merry-Go around, head on back up to the Portal and sleep a night at altitude. The route of choice on Mt. Whitney is the East Buttress. A cruise for experienced climbers, with an early start, you should be able to get off it before the thunderheads crown the summit at noon. Nearby Mt. Russell offers exquisite grade III, crack climbing - Mithral Dihedral, south face and another exquisite ridge, The Fish Hook Arete...and Keeler Needle offers up several big wall routes and the historic Harding Route, a grade V that can be completed in a really long day. Ok, are you ready for your vacation from your vacation? In two weeks you can accomplish at least one major climb in three of the four areas, and a little craggin' along the way...and most likely have the weather co-operate. Something that could not be said for just about any other climbing area in the world.