Jules takes this photo from the top of Pass.

On his way up, Jules found some snow/ice hidden among boulders, and made a large snowball. This is marmot territory, and marmots look at the snowball and wonder if the hibernation time is near.

Dave, on the other hand, wonders how much wood does a woodchuck chuck?

View now opens to the west. The mountains on the horizon form the Great Western Divide chain. Reaching those mountains would take several days. Namely, Kern Canyon, which lies between, is so deep and wild that it could only be crossed in two places, one way to the north, the other far to the south. There is no direct route west from here.

View east: Cottonwood Lakes #4 and #5 from the Pass.

It is about 1pm. Siesta time!

We are heading north from here, in order to reach the south slopes of Mt. Langley.

Anita poses for Josh at Old Army Pass.

We cannot see Mt. Langley from the Pass, because it is hidden by the Oh Sh*t !! ridge, few hundred yards away.

And - yes, that is exactly what you exclaim when you finally see the summit from this ridge. It is much further than you would hope.

Karine and Jules are now way ahead. They are taking a more challenging east edge of the slope, and are rewarded by nice views of the entire Cottonwood Lakes basin below. They can see six little dots following a more traditional middle route to the top.

Three little dots.

One of the last obstacles on our route is this pile of rocks some sixty feet high.

While no one is watching, Josh steals Anita's water at the foot of the rocky section.

In the meantime, Karine and Jules make it to the top! It is almost 4pm.

Mt. Whitney hovering above their heads. A notebook in SPS register box (right) anxiously awaits their comments.

Lydia and Dave, veterans of HighWire Mt. Whitney expedition in July 2002, follow soon.

Anita and Josh reaching their first 14K summit.

Eating time.

More eating time.

Where did all my water go, wonders Anita.

Some very hungry people.

Ryan at the top.

HighWire Press banner at the top.

Goofy banner photo. Under no circumstances should this picture be used to advertise HighWire Press.

NEXT: EVENING