In October of 2022, I joined my brother in the California desert with the goal of doing something that we’d dreamed about for over a decade. By some fortuitous swing of geology, walking from the lowest point in North America, Death Valley’s Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level, to the highest point in the lower 48 states, the summit of Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet above sea level, was not only possible, but also seemed just slightly outrageous. It had been easy to kick this trip down the windy road of life, with moves, jobs, and other hikes getting in the way, but this summer, Arthur had finally taken a stand — L2H was happening this autumn. It didn’t matter that I was bumming around on the East Coast while Spice was flying SOBO on the Appalachian Trail in the middle of our ECT adventure. Once I had an official invite from Arthur, with Spice’s encouragement it was an easy decision. To the desert!
L2H Summary
Route resource: Blisterfree’s website
Start/End: Badwater, Death Valley to Mount Whitney summit
Mileage: Approximately 135 miles, plus 11-mile return to Whitney Portal Trailhead
Dates: October 13-20
Resupply: Panamint Springs Resort, Lone Pine
Water caches (total for two people): 4 gallons at Wildrose Rd, 2 gallons at Saline Valley Rd x Hwy190, 5 gallons eight miles up Saline Valley Rd
Highlights:
- Crossing the Badwater salt flats before sunrise.
- Finding water at every expected source and water cache.
- The cool breeze on the ridgeline from Telescope Peak.
- Sunrise on the Panamint Valley playa.
- Walking with a full load of water plus a gallon jug in one hand.
- Caravan of Europeans way off the driving route to Las Vegas.
- Cerro Gordo ghost town and the epic trail beyond.
- Endless jokes and farts.
- Eating 5 lbs of salty fries each at Whitney Portal.
- Getting dizzy at 13,000ft.
- Hanging with Arthur and the family.
Trip Report
L2H Introduction: 135 Miles From Badwater to Whitney
L2H Day 0: Could This Be The Hardest Part?
L2H Day 1: Smooth Survival
L2H Day 2: Escape from Tuber
L2H Day 3: Oasis
L2H Day 4: Thirty Pounds of Water, Each
L2H Day 5: The Best Trail in the World
L2H Day 6: Nowhere Left To Go But Up
L2H Day 7: The Real Riley
L2H Day 8: Numb Joy
If you have any quick questions about any of this, please feel free to contact me. And if you want to dive deeper, I offer Thru-Hike Coaching, which is great if you are an aspiring backpacker or thru-hiker. Overwhelmed by all the details, or don’t know where to start? I would love to help. From route planning, gear choices, on-trail safety, and food selection, I’d be honored to contribute to your journey!
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