A small blister on the right foot was but a minor cost for the lesson of the day.   No records were set, no awards or medals will be given for my accomplishment, and I have not yet earned the "I have climbed Mt. Whitney" hat.   But a new unit of measurement is added to my vocabulary: that of vertical feet of climb per hour.  With 44 pounds of gear I accomplished sixteen hundred feet of vertical ascent in three hours.  And upon arriving at Lone Pine Lake not only was a Lake Swim conducted, but I Dived the FEOR closed circuit oxygen rebreather.   It was a good day for the Crestline Experimental Dive Unit.

                         Lone Pine Lake is just around the bend...

            Yes, it was a short dive... Yes, the water was cold...  Yes, I had a tripod to get these pictures...  And, yes I got cramps in my calves half way across the lake during the swim.    Did I say the water was cold?

            Beautiful it was.  Will I do it again?  Yes, and hopefully next time with some friends.  (Other Expeditions are planned.   You can join in on the fun by contacting the CEDU Outfitters, and reserve a date on the next CEDU Homebuilt High Adventure on Mount Whitney. )

             Next time underwater photography is required.  The visibility was not too great, about 5 to 10 feet (Hey, just like home).  There were small fish in the lake, thus small fish hunting equipment will need to be evaluated.   But most important there will be a next time, as being there was its reward.

            Stay tuned for Diving Mount Whitney, Part II.

Now for the rest of the story.....  [ Link to Page 2 ]

        Warning:      Page 2 has  more text, and  more images and more maps .
                                        And like the making of sausage, maybe some things should not be known.
                                           Let those with (slow) dial up connection beware.