Sure the trail is runnable. Originally, the Badwater Ultramarathon finished on top of Whitney (146 miles from Badwater), but now due to permit restrictions it finishes in Whitney Portal (135 miles). Still some of the Badwater runners get permits for that day and finish at the top. I know Scott Jurek did that a few years ago, but he's not the only one.
Running Whitney wouldn't be much different than doing the Pikes Peak Marathon, except it goes about 400' higher and the trail is 22 miles, not 26.2. The main Whitney trail is a very mild grade for going up a 14er. It's class-1 all the way. There's nothing class-2 about it. The only downside is having to carry a good bit of water. The rarified air is rather dry to say the least. Another 14er that's runnable is White Mtn (home of the world famous Bristlecone Pine Trees). People have ridden mtn bikes (and even unicycles!) to the top of that one.
RE: Hiking Mt. Whitney Trail in mid-March
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I have run it...easily the hardest thing I have ever done. I took a camelback and some power bars. Took about 4 hrs to the top and about 4 to come down. I will admit I thought it would be a breeze, looking back on it I think I was lucky to not get altitude sickness or hit bad weather.
Another option is the mountaineer trail that pretty much heads straight up. I believe there is no permit necessary, but there is almost always ice so you will need some clamps. -
Read "Climbing". It's a magazine about the sport. In the first few pages are Obits. It goes with the sport.
Whitney by trail is a long haul but not technically difficult. Horses have made it to the top. Doing it during the winter changes everything.
The summit is worth it. Beautiful view.
http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/chrysler_n_cook_days/mt_whitney_hut2.jpg -
Sorry GORP. Missed your email.
It's been a few years since my Mojave days.
I came in via Barstow on hwy 40. I drove into the rec area and then did a cross country it to Hole in the Wall and spent time in the woods mountain. It was beautiful but also (at the time) very deserted and quiet. I really liked it. I just don't know what it's like these days. I went off season and avoided the crowds. Of course summer is very tough but I went in the fall when everyone was back at school and or work and things had cooled down. I carried in my own water. If I remember right there were no easily reachable sources of water. I did run into an Indian who lived and trekked in the area quite a bit and he knew where to find water but he had lived in and around the desert for much of his life.
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/mojave/images/locations.gif -
if you decide to hike Mt. Whitney
whatever you do....
DO NOT GO INSIDE THE HUT -
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