“I believe that, with anything in life, if you have the patience, desire and passion, you can do whatever you set your mind to.” - Ed Viesturs
Mt. Williamson viewed from Owens Valley
Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States, stands 126 feet taller than Mt. Williamson. Regardless, Mt. Williamson is widely considered a more challenging peak. Although Mt. Williamson requires a class 3/4 scramble up a narrow chimney at over 13K to gain the summit plateau, whereas the non-technical standard route up Mt. Whitney is famously labeled "the longest staircase in the US," technicality is not the issue; its the approach. The Shepherd Pass trail starts at approximately 6,300 feet, 11 miles away from Shepherd Pass. Its going to be a slog!
Mt. Tyndall from Shepherd Pass
The first challenge will be hiking to and establishing basecamp fairly close to the pass (at this early point, exact location tbd). To get there with enough left in the tank to launch a summit bid the following day, Tess and Nu will have to get into the shape of their lives.
On 7/23, our heroes filled their backpacks with MCAT study guides and cookbooks and took off on their first training day. Below is a map of their route, hosted by walkjogrun.net. They were spotted on 21st Street by James.
"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir
Approximate Locations of Mt. Williamson and Mt. Tyndall
On July 22, 2013, Tess and Nu heard two mountains calling: Mt. Williamson and Mt. Tyndall. Situated in the great Sierra Nevada range, standing 14,379 and 14,025 feet respectively, these two beauties rise from the Owens Valley, approximately four hours north of Los Angeles.
Though not as famous as their parent peak barely ten miles to the south (Mt. Whitney), Mt. Willy and Mt. Tilly are not to be taken all willy nilly. This blog will chronicle the conception, planning, training, approach, and attempt.
