Unfortunately Mt. Whitney is very busy, especially it's walk-up route, the Mount Whitney Trail. Due to the enormous use every route on Mt. Whitney is permitted, and now permits were available. After some research, I found if you climb the Mountaineer's Route in one day no permit is required. Very few people climb the mountain this way as it is very long and technically difficult.

We managed to find a place in the bear-infested campground, and even had a close encounter with a medium sized black bear in the early morning hours before our climb. The climb up the Mountaineer's Route was very nice, except for large amounts of loose rock on the upper reaches of the route.

We made the summit after 6.5 hours, and back to the portal after 12.5 hours where we met my Dad and sister at the Portal Store. They had just ordered french fries (3 potatoes worth, for $2.50), so we happily dug in, and ate another order.