Future Stuff
So, I'm looking at:
- Mount McKinley
- Mount Fuji
- Mount Whitney
- Mount Rainier
- Mauna Loa
- Half Dome
The last two are more trifle additions to the list than real goals given that I've 1) already done Mauna Loa and 2) Half Dome is a one-day event. But, anyway. Update: Mount Fuji turned out to be a meaningless pursuit as well.
[ Mount McKinley ]
So, Mount McKinley has the 3rd most prominent peak in the world (even ranked above Kilimanjaro) which reaches to 20,320 ft (the highest point in North America), and it is referred to as an "expedition" and not a "hike" and it takes some two to three weeks to accomplish and requires some $6k in gear/misc other expenses and wind speeds can reach 100mph+ and temperatures can reach -70F and the "hiking season" is June and only 50% of the expeditions are successful. Other interesting deterrents include flash freezing (due to the aforementioned wind and something I just learned about, called the venturi effect) and sporadic avalanches. I'm not giving up on it, but I think it might have to wait.
Summit: 20,320 ft
Duration: 2 - 3 weeks
MISC: Some helpful information here and here.
PROS: Most significant accomplishment of the various options. Located in North America. Ridiculously beautiful. Opportunity to visit Alaska (assuming there's anything there to see). Has killed more than 100 people.
CONS: Immensely difficult to find someone willing/able to accompany me (assuming that I'm actually willing/able). Probably requires a professional guide. Not located in the 48 states. Requires the most training (3 to 6 months). Highest probability of death (more of a lure than a deterrent). One-month window for hiking (June). High (50%) probability of failure to summit (mainly weather related). Expensive gear ($6k+). Long (3 week) expedition duration.
[ Mount Whitney ]
Mount Whitney ascends to 14,505 ft and ranks a paltry 81st in terms of prominence, world wide. It has a well established trail that does not require a professional guide and with some effort the entire hike can be accomplished in one very long day. The summit of Mount Whitney represents the highest point in the contiguous 48 states and one can apparently see the lowest point (in Death Valley) from the summit (and vice versa). Mount Whitney is located in California which is a relatively convenient location. I understand that enough people do this hike that "human waste" was becoming an issue, so they provide (for free, no less) "WAG Bags" (see here). Use your imagination. There's something not entirely glamorous about that. Despite the fact that this hike can be accomplished in one day, it would still be a physical challenge, and there is some prestige associated with it being the highest point in the area. It could serve as an entertaining and worthwhile training exercise, maybe. (Image stolen from Wikipedia.)
MISC: Some helpful information here, here, here and here.
PROS: Not entirely without prestige (highest peak in the lower 48 states). Convenient location (California). Could be a nice training trip for Rainier or McKinley.
CONS: WAG Bags. Only a one-day hike. Popular. Suitable for inexperience hikers during the Summer.
[ Mount Fuji ]
Mount Fuji has a relatively low peak at just 12,388 ft, and is apparently a significant tourist attraction and features paved roads (for a significant portion) and staffed "stations" along the way. The thought of a hike that is crowded with people isn't entirely appealing. The longest possible hike (starting at the lowest possible station) can reportedly be accomplished in as little as 7 hours. The relatively mild weather during the hiking season would require no gear beyond standard day-hiking stuff, which would certainly be convenient; but convenience isn't the point and staying home would be even more convenient. Did I just get into a straw-man argument with myself?? Anyway. This hike would certainly be interesting, in so far as hiking volcanoes is definitely interesting, but flying all of the way to Japan for a 7 hour hike? I dunno.... (Picture stolen from Wikipedia.)
Summit: 12,388 ft
Duration: 7 hours
MISC: Some helpful information here, here, here and here.
PROS: Not entirely out-of-the-way when Hawaii could serve as a mid-way stop (in either direction) to hike Mauna Loa. It's a volcano. Amazing sunrise view from the summit.
CONS: 20+ hours of flying for 7 hours of hiking. Major tourist attraction. Litter problems. Not a significant accomplishment.
[ Mount Rainier ]
Mount Rainier ascends to 14,410 feet and ranks 21st in prominence, world wide. Its topographic prominence is an astounding 13,210 ft which places it above K2. Of course, K2 has an extra 14,000+ ft of elevation on Rainier, so its not like I'm saying that Rainier is a tougher hike or anything. Some people recently died hiking Rainier and I hear that the Winter hike is particularly challenging and well suited as a means of training for a Summer time McKinley hike. In particular, Rainier involves traversing the largest glaciers South of Alaska and it takes up to three days to reach the summit (weather permitting). Apparently only about half of the summit attempts succeed, which is a definite plus in terms of appeal. The location (Washington State) is also decidedly convenient (better than Alaska, Hawaii or Japan). Mount Rainier looks like a definite must, if only for its purpose as a training exercise. (Image stolen from Wikipedia.)
MISC: Some helpful information here ... and not much else that I could find.
PROS: Satellite imagery of the mountain looks like a giant, up-side-down octopus. Kills people on a regular basis. Winter-time hike is particularly challenging. Readily available (and affordable) guided tours. Convenient location. Glaciers and similar difficulties would be excellent experience to have.
CONS: Nothing comes to mind, assuming a Winter-time ascent.