When I went there I asked a ranger if there was something special about bristlecone pines that allows them to live for so long. She first told me what it means for a tree to be alive. Apparently, as long as there is a connection from root, through bark, to leaves, it's still alive. So a lot of bark could be missing, but if there is a path it's good.

For the longevity, it's just the perfect environment in the White Mountains. Trees don't die of old age. Pests, disease, and erosion are what kill them. That area, being California high desert, there just aren't really any pests or disease. Erosion and weather are the biggest threat to the trees.

That place is totally cool, in that I really like it but don't think anyone I'd drag up there would enjoy it as much, ha.