Training for Whitney - food, shoes, altitude, poles..

I am going to take a break from the Stagecoach 400 for two reasons...one - i need to come up with a better way to describe the cast of characters.  each person had such a different background, experience, expectation that i can't oversimplify their story.  second - I am in the beginning of training two groups to summit Mt Whitney in a day and there are mounds of information I want to share while its fresh on my fingertips..and i have my dirty shoes and pack next to my leg.

Goal: Summit Mt. Whitney in one-day
Experience: various levels ranging from Whitney veterans to some who are afraid of heights.  We have men & women who are in excellent fitness level and some who want to use this to help with their fitness level.
Strategy: two training hikes per week for four months; each hike increase either duration, distance, elevation gain, elevation or a combination of two to expose their bodies to the elements they will see at Mt. Whitney including steep climbs, steep ascents, altitude, and hikes.

Checklist of what to carry on each training hike:
1. hydration pack that holds 3 liters
2. water bottle to carry for electrolytes
3. sun protection - hat, glasses, sunscreen, chap stick
4. cold weather - beanie, gloves, windbreaker
5. first aid kit - ibuprofen, blister kit
6. camera/phone
7. hiking poles
8. electrolytes - nuuns, coconut water (see #2 above)
9. yummy food - salty, sweet, fat, protein, sugar.  examples: fresh fruit - banana, orange, grapes, mango, fruit cups, tuna pouch/crackers, PB&J or AB&J, turkey and cheese sandwiches, chips, almonds, olives, leftovers, pretzels, trail mix.  I bring extra bars as back up since they take up little space and well packaged.

enjoy the journey,
chi