Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the United States outside of Alaska, sitting at more than 14,000 feet. Thousands of hikers sign up for a lottery each year in hopes that they’ll have a shot of reaching the summit. But with this year’s record snowpack, conditions are treacherous even for the most experienced climbers.

Los Angeles Times investigative reporter Jack Dolan is one such experienced climber, and he joined Lisa McRee on “LA Times Today" to tell his story.

Dolan explained the interest climbers have in summiting the peak. 

“It’s the highest point in the lower 48," he said. "And the lowest point in the United States is only about a hundred miles away. So it’s just this really dramatic, stark difference. And because of that, it’s a bucket list climb for people from all over the globe,” Dolan said. “The standard route is a little bit more than 20 miles and it’s more than 6,000 feet elevation gain. So it is a physically daunting and challenging hike at the best of times when there’s no snow.”

When Dolan climbed Mt. Whitney in late May, there was still a record amount of snow in the southern Sierras.

Dolan and his guide, Dave Miller, opted to do the nine-mile Mountaineer’s Route, which is shorter, but more dangerous than the 20-mile trail. He detailed the end of his harrowing journey to the summit when he was tied to Miller with rope. 

“You have these things called crampons on your boots, they’re metal spikes, and there’s 10 of them," said Dolan. "And when we were climbing it, only the front two [spikes] were in contact with the snow and we had nothing but air beneath our heels. [Miller] is infinitely more experienced and capable than me. So he went ahead to hold me. Of course if he fell, I would have had a couple of seconds to watch him go and watch the rope play out, and it would have been disastrous."

At the summit, Dolan and Miller met a young couple who had run up the 20-mile trail and a man who intended to ski his way back down the mountain. After resting, Dolan began the descent before the snow started to melt. 

Although he was hit in the head with a rock, Dolan’s helmet protected him, and they made it down the mountain safely. 

Click the arrow above to watch the full interview.

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