Type: Exploring, Hiking, Rock Scrambling, Plane Crash Hunting
Who went: Brian, Dan, and Jim
Where: The Whitney Wilderness Area
Ascent: 6000' elevation gain up to 11,800' at the wreckage.
Hawthorne Nevada Airlines Flight 708 was a domestic non-scheduled passenger flight between Hawthorne Industrial Airport, Nevada and Hollywood-Burbank Airport, California, that crashed into the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney, near Lone Pine, on February 18, 1969, killing all 35 passengers and crew on board.
First of all I would like to thank Brian for putting together this once in a lifetime exploration. There are no maps telling you how to find the wreckage and there are very few people (well, no one) willing to give up any beta. So, the fact that Brian researched (lots of research) and was able to put together a map and a plan and get us to the crash site was pretty incredible. This more than makes up for the fact that he almost got us lost on the mountain during last years search. It's nice to finally have someone else to point a finger at (I always say - getting lost is the adventure part).
The crux of the "hike" was a scramble up a chute made of scree and manzanita for about 2500'. Now let me just say this. Hiking in manzanita sucks! It is tough and thorny and the only thing that's worse to hike though is scree. I would like to describe hiking in scree as taking two steps forward and one step back. That's what I would like to describe it as, but on this hike, it was like taking two steps forward and three back (well, it seemed like it).
When hiking through manzanita is your best option, you know it's gonna be a tough day.
The Chute was a Steep mess of scree and manzanita, so the rock field was a welcome reprieve!
A piece of propeller was one of the first pieces of wreckage we found.
The door really isn't that big, or Dan really isn't that small.
The lake at the top provided a nice swim opportunity. Brrr... The thing is, I really hate jumping in cold water, but I hate being dirty even more. So, I can't pass up a chance to get wet and wash off the funk.
Note - We have been very diligent to be extremely respectful to the memories and spirit of the passengers of the ill-fated flight. We have taken nothing from the site, and have treated the area with all the respect that it so rightfully deserves.
Images
Video
- The Climb Up
- The Wreckage (Will upload soon)
Tips and Tricks
- Always, always bring along a headlamp!
- Scree, on the way up, should be avoided at all cost (2 steps forward, 1 step back).
Campgrounds
- Whitney Portal (Reserve, Walk-in, Location) - Some sites are reserve-able and some are first com first serve.
- Alabama Hills (It's BLM so anywhere is good).
- Lone Pine Campground
Lodging in Lone Pine
Dining
- Pizza Factory
- Alabama Hills Cafe - 111 West Post Street, Lone Pine (760) 876-4675
- N/A
Links
See you out there!