Agreed. I count myself as a beginner mountaineer, and while I respect the physical fitness/training required to reach Whitney, unless he did the Mountaineer’s route up to the top, I struggle to envision this guy as more than a fit hiker/backpacker.

Also, telling people they have to hike alone is advice no responsible mountaineer would give. You CAN hike alone, and it can be rewarding, but please understand the risks!