Aliso Viejo 11-year-old Climbs Mt. Whitney
Eleven-year-old Brody Jones of Aliso Viejo climbed Mt. Whitney with his father, Scott, on a single day on August 27. Brody is a student at Don Juan Avila Middle School.
“We did it in a single day, quite an accomplishment for an 11-year-old,” said Scott Jones, Brody’s father. “It was grueling, and I’m proud of him for persevering.”
The mountain is 14,500 feet, the tallest peak in the lower contiguous states, and is a 22-mile round-trip. One of its greatest challenges is related to oxygen. The last several miles of the trail are at an elevation of 13,600 feet, making every step a challenge. Many climbers don’t make it to the top due to altitude sickness, dehydration, running out of daylight, adverse weather or exhaustion.
Jim Graves
