Coach Weber's Badwater 2000 Photo Album
Part 4 of 6
On the Mountain!
This section takes the runner from Whitney Portals (Mile 135.0 at 8360 feet of elevation) to the Summit of Mt. Whitney (Mile 146 at 14,494 feet of elevation). It completes the "lowest-to-highest" challenge.
(above) 7/30/2000 5:40 AM. Having slept the night in Lone Pine, I was well rested and ready to begin the trail ascent of Mt. Whitney. This photo is taken about 2 miles up the trail from Whitney Portals.
(above) 7/30/2000 5:42 AM. The jagged summit of Mt. Whitney lies ahead. The Badwater racer first sees the summit when coming down Townes Pass at mile 60 of the race. At that point, the summit appears as a small feature on the horizon. Now, the summit stills feels far away. For me, it will take another 7 hours of climbing.
(above) 7/30/2000 5:53 AM. Waterfalls alongside the trail. The racer who continues on to the summit is rewarded with nature's beauty.
(above) 7/30/2000 6:11 AM. The third sunrise of the 2000 Badwater to Mt. Whitney summit attempt.
(above) 7/30/2000 6:22 AM. Theresa leads the way as we break through Treeline. Above Treeline, the course proceeds over granite boulders with towering cliffs and peaks all around.
(above) 7/30/2000 7:22 AM. On the lower part of the mountain, one ascends through a series of basins.
(above) 7/30/2000 7:28 AM. Scott Snyder leads me up the trail. Crew and runner are both tired...3 days have passed since the journey began at Badwater.
End of Part 4.
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
Copyright 2002. Scott Weber. All rights reserved.