Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How to hike Mt. Whitney the smart way: directions, pacing, training, and more.
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* Guide: hikingguy.com/hikes/mt-whitney
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Mt Whitney is a 21.7 mile day hike with 6,600 feet of gain, taking most people 12 to 16 hours. I break down the route from Whitney Portal to the summit, covering training progression, permit lottery strategy, pacing, gear you actually need, and altitude sickness management. Most hikers start between midnight and 5 a.m., so you'll be hiking in the dark initially. The guide includes real-world tips on water sources, camping options, snow conditions by season, lightning safety at elevation, and how to use a pace calculator to plan your day. This is doable for fit hikers who prepare correctly.
00:00 The Whitney Challenge
00:18 Trail Route Overview
01:15 Essential Gear List
02:05 How to Train
04:25 Permit Lottery Tips
05:14 Camping & Water
07:05 Snow Conditions
08:17 Altitude Sickness
11:18 Lightning Safety
12:12 Reaching the Summit
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*Disclaimer:*
Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.
How to hike Mt. Whitney the smart way: directions, pacing, training, and more.
*Gear I'm Using Now:*
* inReach: hkgy.co/inreach
* Hiking App: hkgy.co/app
* Watch: hkgy.co/watch
* Shoes: hkgy.co/shoes
* Pack: hkgy.co/backpack
* Rescue Insurance: hkgy.co/insurance
*Full Hiking Gear List (What I Use Now - Tested & Not Sponsored):*
hikingguy.com/gear
*More Hiking Content*
* Guide: hikingguy.com/hikes/mt-whitney
* Website: hikingguy.com
* Patreon: patreon.com/c/hikingguy
* Monthly Hiking News (free): patreon.com/c/hikingguy
* Subscribe: youtube.com/c/Hikingguy
Mt Whitney is a 21.7 mile day hike with 6,600 feet of gain, taking most people 12 to 16 hours. I break down the route from Whitney Portal to the summit, covering training progression, permit lottery strategy, pacing, gear you actually need, and altitude sickness management. Most hikers start between midnight and 5 a.m., so you'll be hiking in the dark initially. The guide includes real-world tips on water sources, camping options, snow conditions by season, lightning safety at elevation, and how to use a pace calculator to plan your day. This is doable for fit hikers who prepare correctly.
00:00 The Whitney Challenge
00:18 Trail Route Overview
01:15 Essential Gear List
02:05 How to Train
04:25 Permit Lottery Tips
05:14 Camping & Water
07:05 Snow Conditions
08:17 Altitude Sickness
11:18 Lightning Safety
12:12 Reaching the Summit
---
*Disclaimer:*
Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.
