Comments for Blake Miller's Playground

Comment on Mt. Whitney via Horeshoe Meadows, Crabtree Pass, July 26-30, 2009 by Blake Miller

Blake Miller — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:29:03 +0000

So i just got back to updating my blog and some of the “spam” filtering and out of a couple thousand, see a few legit ones. Sorry, i don’t spend time much on my personal blog these days.

@Roy – this trip should be doable, but there are a few areas where scrambling and steepness come into play. But, I’d plan on 3-4 days, vice the 2-3. If you only have 2-3 days, then do the main trail by stopping at the 2 camps – one one way up, other on way down.

@Derek – Thanks man! I just found your blog and post on the same trip. http://bit.ly/agEBGM Great TR and it brought back all of the memories of my trip. I never made it back to Whitney this year, but hope to return next.

Comment on Neck Update – 9/28/08 by Blake Miller

Blake Miller — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:11:11 +0000

Hi Erin,

First, sorry for the delay – i had not been keeping an eye on my blog and don’t get many comments to respond to

In my case, yes, the disc was so herniated that it was compressing the entire spinal cord causing issues pretty much all around. Though I never felt “dizzy” in the head, the uncordination, wobbly legs and trouble doing most normal activites, were enough. Luckily, my doctor got me into surgery within a few days cuz it was so bad. He said that each day it “compressed” the more permanent damage that ‘could’ occur.

It’s been 2 years since everything and I’m 100% recovered. Though I do admit that my running pace has slowed and i’m having a hard time getting it back to pre-surgery levels. Not sure if it’s just old age, or the herniation . .. or likely, a combination of both.

Best of luck to you,
Blake

Comment on Neck Update – 9/28/08 by Erin

Erin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:07:01 +0000

Hello Blake,
I was wondering if you could tell me more about your neck C3-C4. I am having similar problems. I had an MRI and there is a slight bulge at C4 -C5. I am also having trouble walking, I sometimes feel dizzy and uncoordinated. In your case the doctors attributed this to the C3-C4 herniated disk?

Comment on Mt. Whitney via Horeshoe Meadows, Crabtree Pass, July 26-30, 2009 by Derek (100 Peaks)

Derek (100 Peaks) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:29:38 +0000

Enjoyed your trip report.

I read it before my own recent excursion. Mine had a different flavor due to more snow all around, but one quote was in my head on day 2, from Soldier Lake to Upper Crabtree Lake, “While only 5 miles, we both felt it was one of the longest 5 miles we did . . ”

Our 5 miles ended up being about 7.5, according to my GPS, what with the wrong turns and needing to scale the ridge to the left of the unnamed lake at ~12,000 feet. It was supposed to be our light rest day, but we hiked from about 10AM to 7PM.

My trip report with pics and video to follow.

I feel a kinship with anyone who completed this route, so beautiful and unforgiving.

Comment on Mt. Whitney via Horeshoe Meadows, Crabtree Pass, July 26-30, 2009 by Roy V

Roy V — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:16:49 +0000

Excellent article! I did Whitney as a long “dayhike” starting under a full moon last August. It was tough, at least above 13K ft. I was planning on going back up this summer with 5 others to do a 2-3 day backpack via the main Whitney trail. However, my permit was denied, so I’m looking at alternatives. Do you think the route you described would be doable for hikers that have marginal knees? Any other suggested routes? Thanks, Roy