On the eve of a hike into the Eastern Sierra Mts. I'm staying at a hostel in the small town of Lone Pine, which sits in the shadow of Mount Whitney. Tomorrow we drive to the Shepard Pass Trailhead , where we will begin a seven mile climb up a ravine to Anvil Camp. Last time I was there, it almost broke me. I know the campsite will be worth it though. It sits among a grove of tall pines and next to a roaring stream.