Climbing Mt. Whitney

It’s a balancing act, as climbers strive to test their mettle and the Forest Service works to protect them from themselves.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

It’s not a race: Avoid altitude sickness while trekking up the mountain by taking it slow.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

Garry Oye, a district ranger of Mount Whitney, stands over Whitney’s vast lands.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

The sun rises over Mt. Whitney and the Eastern Sierra range as seen from Lone Pine.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

While scoring a successful climb can be a life-altering experience, many who make the attempt are overconfident and underprepared. “There’s a perception out there that this is a cakewalk,” says ranger Garry Oye.  (Anacleto Rapping / LAT)

John Radovich, from left, Barbara Brown, Catherine Whittington and George Denny set off through the knee-deep waters of Big Tujunga Creek on their way to scale Mt. Lukens’ 5,074-foot summit. The rocky route is a prime training ground for their hike up 14,497-foot Mt. Whitney in the next few months.  (Axel Koester / For The Times)