Climbing Mt. Whitney with my daughter
Watching Serena work her way up the 99 switchbacks. You can see her on the bottom right corner of the picture.
When my 16 year daughter asked me to train her to climb Mt. Whitney, I was beyond stoked. Having trained over a dozen groups to do Whitney, this was not new to me, but training my daughter was new and a wonderful time to have time together. To add a twist, she was only a year of recovering from ACL surgery which was something that we were both wary of.
We started training in May with three solid months of hikes and testing out gear for her, which is something she really enjoyed not just to test and try but also invest in herself. Normally I would train a group, but seeing that she was my soul and sole focus, I opted out of training a group. Rather, I invited some key friends who were skilled and able and that wanted to enjoy the challenge and adventure. With that all said, only one of my dear friends joined along with my husband, but instead of doing the full monty, they opted for a shorter (more tolerable) version.
On July 28th Serena and I set off to do Whitney. It was indeed a sole and soulful experience. Below outlines the series of events that led to a beautiful experience for us both - Serena summiting and me (mom) learning to trust and let go.
“5am - talked about Plan B - she would walk on without me. ”
1am - On the trailhead with Strava ready to go. Did the obligatory “weigh the pack” moment, and set off (my pack was 16 lbs and Ser’s was just under 15lbs..not too bad). Normally I like to start my groups at 3am, but after hearing my story of hiking under the stars and seeing the sunrise high on the mountain, Serena was all in for the 1am start.
3am - (Outpost Camp, 3.8m, 10,000’) I started to feel the altitude sickness (something I know all too well). I’ve hiked Whitney a dozen times and of those times, three I did NOT get sick. Ironic, I know. Not only is it dangerous to play with altitude sickness, but it means that potentially I could put myself and my daughter at risk. Getting sick was not an option. Over the next 2-3 hours, I consciously slowed my roll, took lots of breaks and drank water regularly.
5am - Talked about Plan B - she would walk on without me.
6am - (Trail Camp,6m, 12,000’). Only six miles and four hours in, and I was seeing all the tall tale signs of the green-gut, head swelling, dry mouth, nausea, disoriention bubbling inside me. I knew going any further would not fair well for me.. Serena however had no issue, was as strong as an ox and ready to go.
It’s at this point that we initiated Plan B: Filled up her water, told her to turn around if she felt sick, and told her to eat often (doesn’t have to be a lot…just something) and drink water. We planned to meet at Trail Camp or top of switchbacks. Gave her a big hug and sent her on her way.. I watched her set onto the 99 switchbacks. I was relieved that there was a group of hikers slightly a head of her to help keep her on track. I then put on every piece of clothing, curled up in a ball, and slept hoping to reverse some of the symptoms. I realize now that there is no scientific proof for this but at the time, I was not going to leave my daughter and yet I knew she was going up. My only option was to make sure I could stay strong and sleeping seemed like the best viable solution.
“I asked multiple people if they saw ‘a young lady with a white puffy jacket’. ..no one remembered seeing her.”
7:30a - woke up and thought ‘OH SHIT…I sent off Serena alone! Get up woman…”. I knew I had to proceed with caution and needed to be sure my symptoms abated. I had a peach cup, the kind you have in elementary school, with all the yummy sugar. That actually sounded good to me, and knew from previous races, that the sugar would kick in right away. It was a good test for me to see if I could move on. I downed the cup, walked down to the lake to fill up water, and within that time gained energy and felt better than I had all morning. I proceed up the 99 switchbacks.
9:30am - (Trail Crest, 8.2m, 13,600’) After a walking for 2 min and resting a min I made it to the top. had asked multiple people if they saw ‘a young lady with a white puffy jacket’. no one remembered seeing her. Was going to rest but my thought went back to Serena- what if she needs you.
10am - started walking along Trailcrest, a ridge line that separates Sequoia and Inyo National Forest and separates to drastic land masses - one full of trees to the west and a desert to the east.
10:30 - (Just past the JMT junction, 9 miles, 13,480’) I was resting on a rock, when a nice man asked me if I was okay. I told him I was waiting for my daughter.. He said ‘Serena?!’. i said yes and without any warning tears flowed from my eyes and I felt a sense of relief that Serena was okay…and not just okay, but he told me she made it and kicked butt passing people all the way and that she was amazing (of course she did!) and then I saw her and more tears poured out. I was never so happy to see her little smiling face. Apparently, after she summited, she hung out at the top for 30 min and befriended several hikers in the hut and shared stories.
Even though we were less than 2 miles from the summit, we together headed down. I was going to finish the hike with her. And honestly, she was my summit. Nothing could beat seeing her.
She shared her stories the summit and people she met. She had her own adventure and loved that she was able to experience it in her own way. ❤️
MAMA TALK / REFLECTION…
I knew in my gut that Serena would be fine and was completely capable. She’s aware of her surroundings, can read people, and physically strong. My mom & coach brain were having a struggle of wits and experience - on the one hand I trusted her implicitly, but also know as a coach and guide, that anything can happen on the trails and there’s no one you can call to rescue you. You get your ass up and down…that’s that. And if Serena needed me, I had to be as close to her especially within day light and weather was good, hence my need to keep ascending. Luckily, she was GREAT and had a beautiful experience. I needed to trust her to have her own experience and yet I struggle with my experience that you need more than trust to be safe.
I was a single mom for almost ten years and for most of my daughters’ lives. I was always aware that I wanted them to self sufficient, speak for themselves, take care of themselves, and be aware of themselves and surroundings.. Even simple things like, ordering your own food, or speaking up, or pitching a tent or making dinner, it is important they learn to trust themselves. I am always proud when girls do well in school or sports, but seeing them tackle life’s struggles and learn has always been more important.
