By Ridgefield Press – November 26, 2012<\/p>\n
Ridgefield orthodontist Dr. Blaine Langberg recently returned from hiking California’s Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States.<\/p>\n
The 14-hour round-trip hike is attempted by 30,000 people each year, but only 10,000 successfully reach the summit.<\/p>\n
Dr. Langberg and the seven other members of his party departed base camp at 4 a.m. to hike the 11 miles and more than 6,000 vertical feet to the summit.<\/p>\n
Dr. Langberg and his group enjoyed the magnificent views for just 30 minutes before beginning the 11-mile return trek over a rocky precipice and miles of switchback trails.<\/p>\n
With little hiking experience before this trip, Dr. Langberg “was inspired to conquer a new challenge to mark my 40th birthday,” he said.<\/p>\n
Although the hike lived up to its reputation for being among the most physically strenuous days in the country, he said, it was “completely gratifying and worth every sore muscle.”<\/p>\n