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Rating: 
Summary: Easy to use
Review: I have been looking at Whitney books a lot and I have been mostly disappointed. This book is very easy to use to compare different routes. I am really impressed with the comparisons of the different routes.
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Summary: Two for one
Review: Paul Richins has once again offered mountaineers a guide book that is replete with detail and evidence of the author's tremendous experience and passion for the Sierra. For anyone, novice to seasoned mountaineer, who wishes to climb Mount Whitney, this book is your chaperon. The bonus is the consummate resource Paul offers for any backcountry endeavor. From menu planning to first aid to ecological stewardship to acclimatizing ... it's all here.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to use
Review: some very basic information on climbing Whitney. I bought three books for my climb this year and never used this book. This book just doesnt seem to contain much information or insight beyond what is readily available on the web.
Rating: 
Summary: It's OK...
Review: some very basic information on climbing Whitney. I bought three books for my climb this year and never used this book. This book just doesnt seem to contain much information or insight beyond what is readily available on the web.
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Summary: Has this guy actually hiked these routes???
Review: Take this book with a grain of salt. I used it last October to plan a climb of Whitney via the Meysan Lake route and found the route descriptions to be woefully inadequate in conveying the difficulty of the terrain and route. I learned later that others have had the same problem with this book. We completed our hike, but are veteran backcountry travellers in good physical condition. And even we were seriously taxed by this "moderate" route. Later we saw some on-line correspondence which indicated we weren't the first ones to be suckered in by this particular route description in this particular book. Some other guide books I've since checked out describe this author's "moderate" route as "gruelling." Those writers must have actually hiked the Meysan Lake route - I suspect this author has not.
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Summary: Don't leave home without it
Review: This guide is comprehensive, well written, easy to read, motivational and up-to-date by an author with impressive credentials.
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Summary: Good guide with some cautionary notes
Review: This is the standard book in assisting novice Whitney hikers to the summit. If you have never hiked the main trail to Whitney, or if you want to try the alternate routes, then this is a a well-written guide, with insight from an experienced hiker and climber. There is ample information on how to secure a permit for the main trail, when to contact the Ranger Station and additional info on the annual May lottery.However, there are some problems with the author's descriptions of various other trails and this is imperative to point out. For example, the Meysan Lakes chapter claims that anyone can summit Mt. Whitney via the Meysan Lakes trailhead. This is problematic at best, and a falsehood at its worse. There is a trail to Meysan Lakes, but there is *no trail* afterwards until you hook up with the main Whitney Trail. The author fails to mention that an any hiker attempting the middle sections of this trail must have developed route-finding skills and this section would be a class 3 hike. This is omited from the book and consequently, could cause hikers somes serious problems. I also quibble with the author's assessment of what is difficult and what is not. I've summited Whitney many times and regard a time of 11 hours (when not trail running) as pretty swift. However, the author says that "standard" or average time in hiking Whitney is 10 hours for a day hike. This is a little elitist and only well-conditioned hikers make it in that time. This also presents novices with faulty information. When they struggle to get done in 16 hours, they might rely on this book's information and regard that time as pathetic. So be careful with this guide and the information contained within. I still recommend it, and the elevation maps for each trail are interesting. I respect the author, who has summited Whitney via the various routes described and who has even done Everest. But check around with others before attempting any trail aside from the main one and best of luck.
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Summary: The Guidebook that Made My Trip a Big Success!!!
Review: This past summer, my boyfriend and I climbed Mount Whitney (via Route 9) following the detailed narrative descriptions and maps included in this popular guidebook. The author's attention to detail sets it apart from all other books on Whitney. This comprehensive tone has everything one needs to know for a first-time hike to the summit of Whitney or for exploring a more remote, less traveled route to the top of this coveted peak. Along the way, we used the author's meticulous route descriptions to explore off-trail and visit Sky-Blue Lake, one of the most beautiful spots in the entire Sierra Nevada. I was concerned about altitude sickness before leaving for the trek. Although I experienced the affects of the high altitude for a day, I followed the advice contained in the guidebook and was able to successfully climb the peak with no further complications. We used the bear-proof food boxes noted in the guidebook but at several camps, where bear boxes were not available, we hung our food to protect against bears. If you use the correct method when hanging your food even the most-savvy street-smart bears cannot get your grub. I highly recommend this guidebook, as it not only details the popular Whitney Trail, but 12 other treks that get you away from the crowds and lead you through spectacular mountain terrain you will long remember. I plan to return to Whitney again this summer to capture the alpenglow on Whitney's east face. I will have this guidebook in my backpack. /s/ A Hiking Enthusiast from Northern California
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Summary: Whitney Guide
Review: Was a bit disappointed...information (such as bear and water purification info) were not up to date. Otherwise OK.
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