Training

“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.

Spotted on 21st St by James

7.7 miles