Coach Weber's Badwater 2000 Photo Album
Part 3 of 6
Lone Pine to Whitney Portals
This section takes the runner from Lone Pine (Mile 122.4 at 3610 feet of elevation) up to the Whitney Portals (Mile 135.0 at 8360 feet of elevation). Whitney Portals marks the 'end of the road' and the official finish line of the Badwater Race.
(above) 7/28/2000 7:02 AM. Mile 122.5. This photo is taken just beyond the turnoff from the main street of Lone Pine onto the Whitney Portals Road (it is the third of three turns on the entire course! Tough to get lost on this course!!). This turn onto the Whitney Portals Road is always a significant place for me...it marks the beginning of the 13 mile climb to the finish line of the race (this final half-marathon also includes 4750 feet of climbing!) and is where I always take a rest to have breakfast. This breakfast is bought by the crew for me at the local Lone Pine diner named "P.J.s" and is brought to me to eat along side the road under the trees . I look forward to this break for many, many hours. I have "spicy scrambled eggs", hash browns, and coffee. For some reason, the addition of hot sauce makes the meal quite delicious to me! In addition to eating, I also take a few minutes to fix the feet. This year, I took care of several blisters and cut an additional hole in the toebox of my right shoe to relieve a hotspot.
(above) 7/29/2000 9:04 AM. Mile 126. 100 miles + a marathon! The opening miles of the Whitney Portals Climb are quite tedious. It is a step by step struggle to gain the "Z switchbacks" (pictured above, about 4 miles ahead). The climb is very deceptive. It does not appear steep, but the grade is 10%. I am holding my back as it quite sore. Scott Snyder is walking with me. In the distance (center) is the summit of Mount Whitney...still 20 miles by road and trail away.
(above) 7/29/2000 11:08 AM. Mile 132. This photo is taken on the "Z Switchback" looking back towards Lone Pine (the previous picture was taken about midway down that road, looking up to this point). The road climbs very steeply. I am always amazed when I look down from this point at how far I have come from Lone Pine and how much elevation has been gained. I also reflect on how, many hours before, I could see this switchback from the 100 mile point...the switchback seemed so very, very far away...and now, I am here. Now, the finish of the race is just 4 miles ahead.
(above) 7/29/2000 11:20 AM. Mile 133. Theresa continues the care that enables me to continue at a faster pace on this steep climb. She sprays me to cool me off. She hands me a can of Coke...simple sugar and caffeine are the fuel of choice in the final miles.
7/29/2000 11:43:52 AM. Mile 135. The Finish Line! One sweet feeling! My 7th consecutive finish of the event ('94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, and 2000). Time: 53 hours 43 minutes and 52 seconds.
7/29/2000 11:50 AM. Mile 135. My excellent crew! They made the journey possible through their non-stop assistance, support, and motivation.
End of Part 3.
Badwater Photos Part 1: Start to Stovepipe
Badwater Photos Part 2: Stovepipe to Lone Pine
Badwater Photos Part 3: Lone Pine to Whitney Portals
Badwater Photos Part 4: On the Mountain
Badwater Photos Part 5: Higher on the Mountain
Badwater Photos Part 6: The Summit
©2006. Scott Weber. All Rights Reserved.