Andrew Kollar stands on top of Mount Whitney
Mammoth Lake, at mile 906 of the Pacific Crest Trail
Andrew Kollar, left, pictured with hiking buddies met along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Andrew Kollar's tent pictured along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Our group — Drops, Peg Leg, Paradise, Rocket Daddy and myself — left Kennedy Meadows with a little extra pep in our step as we left the desert behind and entered the Sierra. The ascent out of the Meadows was stunning. Watching the ecosystem change under my feet from the golden brown of the Mojave to the emerald green was surreal. Within the week we would pass two major milestones, climbing Mount Whitney and crossing over Forester Pass, the highest point of the entire Pacific Crest Trail at 13,200 feet.
The approach to Whitney was a steady uphill climb through Inyo National Forest where the water was abundant for the first time on trail. We walked through prestige alpine meadows and along royal blue lakes as jagged mountains set a panoramic backdrop.
Our original plan for the Whitney summit included an overnight stay at Guitar Lake, a breathtaking alpine lake and one of the last flat spots before the countless switchbacks — this would have allowed for a sunrise summit the next morning. Unfortunately PCT permits didn’t allow for us to camp where we intended, which forced us to scrap our original plans at Crabtree Meadows, nearly four miles short of the lake. Despite having already walked 12 miles to get to Crabtree and it being after 2:30 p.m., we decided to make a push for the summit with the intent to summit just before sunset and make the descent in the dark.
I knew there was a time limit to reach the summit in time to catch the view, which made me hike just a little bit faster than my normal, slow and comfortable pace. The trail wasn’t steep or technical but the altitude wasn’t something to be taken for granted.
Standing 500 vertical feet from the summit of Mount Whitney, elevation 14,504 feet — I put my arm out to lean on a boulder to regain balance. My body was exhausted, my head hurt and I was short of breath but not short of determination to push through the discomfort to make it to the highest point in the contiguous U.S. Roughly 45 minutes later my effort proved worth it as I stood overlooking the Sierra Nevada.
At 7 p.m. I was welcomed with a simultaneous “congratulations” and high-fives by other hikers as we shared the accomplishment of making it to the top. I was overjoyed to have made it and decided to share my excitement by making a phone call to my family back home (there is usually no cell service in the Sierra but the summit overlooks the small city of Lone Pine where I was able to pick up just enough coverage to make a call home.
After watching the red-orange alpenglow from 14,504 feet, we began our uneventful and dark descent back to Crabtree Meadows where my tent was already set up and waiting for my return. Although we only logged 12 PCT miles, we hiked a true 28 miles and my feet were sure to let me know. I was physically and mentally exhausted but the exhaustion was muted with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
From Whitney, the PCT coincides with the rugged John Muir Trail and leads hikers through a true wonder of the world. I will always remember Inyo National Forest for the relentless up and downs, countless mosquito bites, cold river crossings and overcoming the doubt of physically being able to propel myself up and over about 10 passes with thousands of feet in elevation change over the course of 200 miles.
I arrived in Mammoth Lakes Sunday, July 1, where I said goodbye to Paradise and the rest of the group I’ve hiked with for more than 400 miles as they decided to stay in town to celebrate the Fourth of July while I decided to push on.
It was a true pleasure hiking with all of them, especially Paradise who was my hiking partner through the toughest stretch of the trail.
Now, I’ll set off on the 184-mile stretch from Red’s Meadows to South Lake Tahoe, alone for the first time in about 700 miles. It was hard to say goodbye to the trail family but I’m looking forward to getting back on the trail and continuing this adventure.
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Andrew began his thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada on May 14. Along his hike, he is raising money and awareness for MS along with publishing frequent updates from the trail in the Nisqually Valley News and on his Adventurously Andrew Facebook page. If you would like to donate, visit http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/adventureswithandrew
