A scientific approach for Mt. Whitney hiking (9) ~ Can I hike Mt. Whitney?

Right before Sun rise

Possible limitation for each person

   When I looked at the past data, some time the heart rate was getting higher and I needed to take some rest to recover some time.  As I mentioned before, the total hiking time is very similar whatever my pace was unless the pace is very slow pace for me.  Also, Mt. Whitney Trail is a long trail.  The round trip is about 22 miles.

   Based on the assumption that is overall average speed for each person could be defined.   If the speed is not fast enough to make the round trip within a day, then the person would not be able to make a day trip to Mt. Whitney.   The same theory could be applied for overnight plan as well.   Depending on how much sleeping time is assumed, then possible time people can use for hiking for each day can be defined.   Based on the overall speed, we might be able to tell if the person can reach the summit or not.  The speed is probably has a tight relationship with  a speed at LT (Lactic threshold).

   For Mt. Whitney Trail, designated cap site is either Outpost Camp or Trail Camp.  Basically no good camping site between Trail Camp and the summit.   This means no matter how many nights people plan, the most critical part is between Trail Camp and the summit.  Therefore, if people can not make a round trip from Trail Camp to the summit, then people won't be able to hike to Mt. Whitney in theory.   Based on my past record, the round trip took about 6 hours in my case.  Comparing with a day trip, overnight plan will increase the possibility to hike to Mt. Whitney.  Even if a person needs 8 hours sleeping time, there is 16 hours for hiking.    This is a reason I think overnight plan would be a better plan for most of people to hike Mt. Whitney.   I think people who plan to do a day trip to Mt. Whitney have to be a good shape!!

Training is always a good idea!
   Based on the assumption I just described above, training before hiking to Mt. Whitney would be a good idea.   Since it is known thing that a aerobic training will improve heart rate at LT.  This means people can have extra room for their heart rate to keep moving.   Basically, even if people walk faster, the heart rate could be going higher before reach LT.

   Also, training regular basis will help people to understand their heart rate around LT.   Since just collecting heart rate data during hiking is very limited, especially data around 14,000 feet elevation is very limited to get it.   However, if people do training regular basis, they can accumulate data and analyzing the data will help to understand where the LT heart rate would be.

Controlling walking pace
    If people have a better idea for LT heart rate, it can be much easier to set the maximum heart rate easy.   The key is really to avoid over pacing during a hiking.   As long as people knows their good heart late to maintain, it is easy to control their pace.   I talked about this idea in my previous post.  This is my theory to make Mt. Whitney hiking easier.

1. Hiking to 14,000 feet class mountain within a few days, it is hard for a human body to adopt such elevation.   Then, the key is really to minimize the impact of the high altitude sickness.
2. Applying heart rate training theory to hiking, it is important to maintain their heart rate below LT to avoid over pacing.
3. To find out LT or maximum heart rate during hiking, training regular basis will help to find out their LT.   Also, the training will improve LT heart rate higher.
4. Once people have an idea about their LT or maximum heart rate, people can do real time monitoring using heart rate sensor during hiking to control their walking pace.

This is a scientific approach for Mt. Whitney hiking.  I think it will help to optimize the pace based on peoples performance.