California's Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the continental U.S. at 14,505' (4,421 m). In 2006 Dave & son Brian Johnson along with Kit and son Barrett Johnson spent several days preparing for and climbing this worthy peak. After driving over from Las Vegas, Dave guided us through the acclimation process with a hike from the Whitney Portal to Lone Pine Lake, and another day hike in the Cottonwood Pass area. The third day out we trekked from the portal to Bighorn Meadow at a chilly 12,000'. Next day we hiked the remaining five miles to the summit, and then down eleven miles to the car. Additional highlights included the hot shower after the hard work, as well as the terrific hamburgers and service at the Lone Pine Cafe. After a night on a soft bed in Lone Pine, we balanced things out by heading 85 miles east to Death Valley, the lowest point in the U.S. at 282' below sea level (-82 m).