Dawn hour from near Trailcrest, 13500'. Mt. Hitchcock from the previous photo is now way below us in this look to the west. Guitar Lake is the next one down and right from the two lakes in front of Hitchcock.
The mist in the valleys is actually smoke from a wildfire near Rattlesnake Canyon.

Finally there! Mt. Whitney, 14496'.
Part of our group is lounging in the only place out of the wind we've ever found on the summit, besides the dreary interior of the research cabin. The guy in the shiny green jacket is fivenineclimber himself.
In the far background is the Owens Valley. This is the beginning of the Great Basin Desert, and is the land of little rain, to quote Mary Austin (1903).
Closer behind our friends to the right are Mt. Russell, climbing peak par excellence.
Photo: Tim Bluhm, musician, mountain man and guide.

Mt. Whitney seen from the summit of Mt. Muir. The latter is a worthwhile detour of some 30 minutes, easily accomplished on the way down from the summit.

The fading light on the range seen from Lower Crabtree Meadow on the evening of our Whitney climb.

A sudden late afternoon snowstorm at the final camp, an unnamed lake close to the Soldier Lakes area.

The last day offers many far reaching vistas like this one.