19:08:45 From  Ann  to  Everyone : Does it cross the PCT?

	David: Yes, the HST joins the PCT briefly before turning off to Crabtree Meadow

19:12:17 From  Kurt’s iPad  to  Everyone : are the trails well marked?

	David: Yes, they are very well marked. The NPS does a great job with trial signage.
  
19:13:57 From  Ann  to  Everyone : HST History video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jgiU6Kq1nI
19:15:34 From  Melody George  to  Everyone : What is the permit situation?

	David: I don’t know. You will have to check at recreation.gov

19:16:06 From  Melody George  to  Everyone : Is ice axe essential in all seasons?

	David: Perhaps in the early spring. I recommend checking with the rangers. We went in the late summer, and there was no snow on the trails.

19:18:56 From  Dave Mentz (he/him)  to  Everyone : After what time of the season would/could water supply typically be an issue?

	David: We had no problem with water in the first week of September. Maybe later in the fall in a low snow year it might be a problem, but I can’t say for sure.

19:18:59 From  Tom and Mary At Home  to  Everyone : In recent years, fires have been an issue for fall trips in the sierra.
19:19:26 From  Michael Scuderi  to  Everyone : Walker Pass via Lake Isabella is more scenic but slower
19:21:08 From  Reynoldson  to  Everyone : There were fires to the north near Yosemite. Some hikers had to be helicopter rescued while David and I were hiking.
19:25:28 From  Carol  to  Everyone : What was that about horses?

       David: Horses and pack animals are common on these trails. After all, the original maps labeled the HST as a Horse Trail!

19:26:19 From  Webmaster Troop681  to  Everyone : Do you need to get permits for each camp? Can you change your plans and camp other places instead?

	David: When we went, there were no prescribed camp sites. We could camp wherever we wanted. That may have changed since then, so I recommend you check with the park rangers.

19:29:41 From  Darcy Nebergall  to  Everyone : Did you drop your big packs for the summit?

	David: There a spot where everyone drops their packs on the way up. Can’t miss it.

19:30:24 From  TatyaTatyanaAKimball  to  Everyone : Are there a lot of climber trails _ fun exploring trails -off main trail?

	David: I think there are, but we did not try any. I would love to re-do the trip and add in some extra days for exploration. The best opportunity for that I think is around Kaweah Gap.

19:33:30 From  Roland&Lisa  to  Everyone : HST: I was able to go to website and pick days for permit.   JMT: Lottery system - have not yet won.
19:34:41 From  Kari  to  Everyone : I think permits are acquired via "recreation.gov" (not reservation.gov).

		David: OOPS – thanks for the correction!

19:35:23 From  joshuaskurnik  to  Everyone : Dad, where’s all the juicy stuff?? Like when I almost got altitude sickness.

		David: Josh – I was trying to preserve your dignity! But that is a good lesson to be learned. I advise a day of altitude acclimatization at the trailhead. Explore the Giant Sequoias and camp at the trailhead the night before setting out. Take a wilderness first aid course to learn how to deal with altitude sickness and other medical issues in the wilds.

19:35:45 From  Kurt’s iPad  to  Everyone : at the first meadow stop, first day, you said there was a horse adventure outfit

		David: Yes, but I don’t know much about it. There are tent cabins, a store, and I think a horse corral. I bet the park rangers can tell you more.

19:36:00 From  Reynoldson  to  Everyone : only the young got altitude sickness
19:36:26 From  Carol  to  Everyone : Yes, it was the horse adventure outfit I was interested in hearing about.
19:44:51 From  Michael Scuderi  to  Everyone : What were typical temperatures?

		David: Summer weather in the Sierras is wonderful. Days are 65 to 75 degrees, never too hot. Nights will drop to freezing or below. Lots of direct sun – bring good sun protection. But flash thunderstorms are common, and snow can fall anytime. Be prepared.

19:45:39 From  Anne Harai  to  Everyone : do you know of any guides who lead this trip?

		David: No, I do not.

19:46:09 From  TatyaTatyanaAKimball  to  Everyone : Are fires allowed?

       David: Fires are allowed where designated. We had a campfire at Bearpaw Meadow and Upper Funston Meadow. I think the general rule is that fires are prohibited in the alpine zone above 10,000 ft, and anywhere a prohibition is posted.

19:46:27 From  Ann  to  Everyone : Bears?

       David: We saw no bears. It is mandatory to protect your food from bears (and other critters like mice and marmots) everywhere on the trail. If the campsite has no storage locker you must use an approved bear proof cannister.

19:47:08 From  Kari  to  Everyone : Wildlife encounters?

		David: Almost none. Just marmots and birds. I bet mice were everywhere but hidden.

19:55:13 From  Louise Suhr  to  Everyone : Mileage rom Guitar to summit, then to next camp?

		David: see answer below, about 12 miles

19:55:32 From  Kurt’s iPad  to  Everyone : what is the elevation gin between guitar lake and mt Whitney?

		David: about 3,000 ft.

19:56:03 From  Stacey Lissit  to  Everyone : +1 to question about elevation gain from Guitar Lake to Mt Whitney summit
19:56:20 From  Nico Olmsted  to  Everyone : 1+
19:57:09 From  Carol  to  Everyone : What is in the building?

		David: I’m not sure. I think it is explained on the NPS website. They also talk about lightning protection on the summit if a storm rolls through. Good reading.

19:57:14 From  Foothills Mountaineers  to  Everyone : Various reports on the internet say it's 2500 to 3000 feet of gain.  Guitar lake is at 11,500'
19:58:03 From  Michael Scuderi  to  Everyone : It was built in 1909 for the SMithsonian
19:59:31 From  Foothills Mountaineers  to  Everyone : Looks like a total of 15.5 miles Guitar Lake to Whitney summit and down to Whitney Portal.  12 miles to Outpost Camp.
20:03:38 From  Bob Heyman  to  Everyone : Good job David and Josh (and Andrew)
20:04:06 From  Kalman Brauner  to  Everyone : FWIW, one can do Mt. Whitney as a day trip from Whitney Portal.  Day trip permits are easier to obtain.
20:04:19 From  Foothills Mountaineers  to  Everyone : But that is a killer day!!

	David: Many people do it in two days, and camp at Trail Camp.

20:04:23 From  Ann  to  Everyone : How much did your packs weigh? What did you take that you wished you hadn't and what did you wish you had taken with you that you left out?

	David: I think the base weight without water and food was about 20-25 lbs. A week of food is about 15 lbs. We started with two bear cannisters, but really only needed 1 for the three of us for the Whitney zone. We may have had a bit too much camp fuel. I can’t think of anything that we needed but did not bring (excpet maybe better desserts) Remember: No one ever complains that their pack is too light!

20:04:26 From  Roland&Lisa  to  Everyone : Awesome! thanks so much!
20:04:37 From  Nico Olmsted  to  Everyone : that was awesome!
20:04:38 From  Amy Jackson  to  Everyone : Thank you!!!
20:04:46 From  Nico Olmsted  to  Everyone : Thank You!
20:05:01 From  Michael Scuderi  to  Everyone : Great show!
20:05:08 From  Marguerite & Ron  to  Everyone : Thank you David!
20:05:11 From  Carol  to  Everyone : Highest point in the US, meaning higher than Mt. Rainer?
20:05:13 From  DJAdmin  to  Everyone : Great job David!! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure!!
20:05:17 From  Kalman Brauner  to  Everyone : Good presentation. Tnx.
20:05:25 From  Eric Schoenmakers  to  Everyone : Thank you David, this was excellent!
20:05:34 From  Anne Harai  to  Everyone : I would go next year :)
20:05:45 From  Bob Bluman  to  Everyone : Thanks, David! Great trip and excellent presentation!
20:06:13 From  Carol  to  Everyone : Do you remember the name of the horse adventure outfit?
20:07:07 From  Kalman Brauner  to  Everyone : Both Mt. Elbert (CO) and Whitney are higher than Rainier.
20:07:15 From  Foothills Mountaineers  to  Everyone : The Sierra Mountain Center and the Sierra Club offer guided trips all around the Sierra crest - I would start there looking for guided trips.
20:07:27 From  Anne Harai  to  Everyone : Thanks!
20:07:40 From  Carol  to  Everyone : I'd like to know if someday I could join the horse adventure.
20:07:45 From  Susan M  to  Everyone : that is correct, 10k feet
20:07:50 From  Juliana  to  Everyone : Where are you getting the wood for the fires

	David: I don’t exactly remember. We must have foraged for dead wood. There may have been some firewood left at Upper Funston Meadow by previous horse packers.

20:08:10 From  Foothills Mountaineers  to  Everyone : Horse packing trips - see rockcreekpackstation.com
20:11:05 From  Matt and Karen  to  Everyone : Thanks for the great presentation!!!
20:11:08 From  Carol  to  Everyone : I see the answer.
20:11:12 From  Anne Harai  to  Everyone : is there parking at the trailhead if you decide to drive there?

		David: Yes there is ample parking at both trailheads.

20:11:14 From  Kalman Brauner  to  Everyone : FWIW both Massive and Harvard in CO are also higher than RainIer.
20:11:29 From  Carol  to  Everyone : Thank you for that information.
20:12:22 From  Anne Harai  to  Everyone : cool - thanks :)
20:12:26 From  susanharris  to  Everyone : Great presentation.  Thanks.
20:12:50 From  icemanbb  to  Everyone : Great presentation, Thanks.
20:12:54 From  Anne Harai  to  Everyone : Great presentation - definitely convinced me to go!
20:12:56 From  Tamara Smith - Cripple Crow Ranch  to  Everyone : thank you
20:12:58 From  TatyaTatyanaAKimball  to  Everyone : Thank you!
20:13:06 From  Kate Storms  to  Everyone : Fun trip !  thanks
20:13:08 From  Britta Ahlm  to  Everyone : Thanks for a great and inspiring presentation!
20:13:08 From  brian talbert  to  Everyone : Nice presentation, thank you!
20:13:09 From  Nancy Lloyd  to  Everyone : Thank you!
20:13:09 From  Ann  to  Everyone : Very well done for the first round.
20:13:13 From  Susan M  to  Everyone : Thank you
20:13:24 From  Ann  to  Everyone : thank  you!