It is totally worth the trek. Be just as focused and alert, or even more so, on the way down! Take the time to fairly assess your physical condition and the ever-changing conditions on the mountain before you tackle the most difficult part of the climb ahead. Do not rely on your cell phone to assist you during an emergency! If you lose the bullâs eyes you are likely off-route and will encounter more difficult climbing with potentially severe consequences. This is a climb, a classic mountaineering route that should not be underestimated. The first time someone steps into a harness and is tied to a rope that is meant to support their life, their heart rate will most likely rise because they are experiencing the fear of falling. What are the symptoms of high altitude sickness? Perhaps because they are fatigued, meaning that they werenât properly prepared for the fourteen mile hike to begin with. Longs Peak-Keyhole Route Frequently Asked Questions. Is the Keyhole Route a hike or a climb? Difficulty: Difficult Elevation range: 9,400-14,259 feet. Some have died or sustained serious injury because they were travelling alone or chose to separate from the rest of their group. Longs Peak (2) 5.4: North Face: CO: 14,255' 63. The north and east faces of Longs come into view, as well as Storm Peak (13,326') ahead. Description: This is an ascent of the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park (14,259 ft / 4,346 [â¦] Your goal should not be to summit, it should be to have a rewarding experience and simultaneously stay safe. Conditions are constantly changing and influenced by altitude, wind and sudden changes in weather. How physically fit you are plays no role in whether you get altitude sickness. The actual Keyhole Route begins after the Boulder Field. Longs Peak (14,259) â The king of Rocky Mountain National Park, this peak features one of the most awesome walls in the world (yes, the world). At these elevations storms often produce snow, sleet and hail. (970) 586-1206 Distance: 26 miles. DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5 . In general, the most snow-free and ice-free time of year to climb Longs Peak is mid-July through mid-September. Stay left on the East Longs Peak Trail and switchback up and easy slope to reach the north end of the Boulder Field, near 12,400'. Never hesitate to turn back if conditions deteriorate. All you need to do is climb Longs on a weekday or in late fall. There is no âtrailâ to the summit of Longs Peak. The Keyhole Route, the regular and most traveled route to the summit, requires no technical climbing during summer months, generally from early July to mid-September depending on how fast the snow melts. Why itâs good for beginners â Itâs not. What do I mean by this? On the other hand, what are the actual risks of rock climbing? In Conclusion – Longs Peak is a Colorado classic. Longs Peak is the deadliest mountain in Colorado in terms of the number of fatalities each year, mostly because of the sheer number of people that attempt it. While you are at it, snacks and water will provide energy for the trip beyond or your return back to the trailhead. How do you ready yourself to overcome these human faults, you ask? Our professional guides will safely lead you on this extremely difficult hike. I like to camp nearby and wake up by 2 am in order to avoid the crowds on the way up. Early Spring (late May through June) and Fall (Septe⦠Pack the appropriate gear in order to avoid hypothermia, exhaustion, and injury. Sometimes attempted in a single day, Longs is more commonly climbed as an overnight. If you have a bad feeling in your stomach that you canât shake, turn around. The worst danger lies not in the exposure, length, or weather. Length 14.8 miElevation gain 5039 ftRoute type Out & back How many miles is the Keyhole Route to Longs Peak? When you are in the mountains, it is better to be safe than sorry. The 9 Best Hikes near Leadville, Colorado, Overland Vehicle on a Budget: Under $7,500 Spent. Standing tall at 14,259 feet, it is Coloradoâs 15th highest summit. However, too many people do Longs without having any clue what they are doing, and they end up experiencing irrational fear while not preparing properly for that which can actually cause them harm. If you are trying to stay safe while up on the most popular and deadly fourteener in Colorado, the essential question to ask is: What is the cause of these deaths? If you can do this, then suddenly the risk of falling wonât feel like that much of a threat anymore. Although you may encounter other people along the route, this in no way substitutes for travelling with others who can share in the assessment and decision making responsibilities. She loves to spend her free time backcountry skiing, mountain biking, climbing, and watching Game of Thrones. Always, always, always get up early to hike Longs. While a rope is highly unlikely to break, a human tying a knot incorrectly, putting on a harness wrong, incorrectly setting up anchors, or climbing on weak rock are all much more likely. Q: When is it usually climbed? The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until November. Torreys Peak (14,267 feet) â near Keystone, CO. Torreys Peak is slightly more difficult than Grays ⦠Are you still providing âtechnicalâ and ânon-technicalâ ratings concerning the Keyhole Route? Beta â 14 miles, 5,100 feet elevation gain. Longs Peak (1) 3: Keyhole Route: CO: 14,255' 62. Therefore, falling while top roping is a perceived risk. Kaiti Kinshella is a Spanish teacher and freelance writer who lives, works, and plays in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Contact Us To Book Now. Excellent customer service. The Longs Peak trail starts at 9,405 feet. There are so many factors that go into preparing oneself for a mountain like Longs. This may have a lot to do with the ratio of men versus women climbing the mountain, but could also suggest that women take less risks or are much more careful. A lot of food and snacks (energy bars, sweets, jerky, granola, a sandwich, etc). This high failure rate likely comes due to the peakâs popularity and its difficulty. The class ratings are generally from guidebooks or websites. Difficulty Description: moderate to difficult due to a long approach (2-3 hours minimum, high altitude ( the top of Longs peak is over 14,000 feet) and overall length of trip. What to Bring: Sent with trip confirmation. Much of this route is above tree-line so give yourself plenty of time to be back below tree-line before afternoon thunderstorms and lightning develop. Iconic Longs Peak (14,259') is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado's 15th highest summit, and the northern most 14,000' peak in the Rocky Mountains. Your email address will not be published. It varies greatly and is extremely unreliable. Do I really need to start at the trailhead before sunrise? The route has narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs. Is the weather changing or likely to change? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The decision is yours to make. Longs Peak is a high and prominent mountain in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Level 1: 2-6 miles, less than 500 feet elevation change on good trails; Level 2: 3-8 ... who had several previous ascents of Longs Peak, went up a couple days prior to our hike, to scout the current conditions. Why has Longs come to represent danger for so many people, and is that sentiment justified? In fact, as of January 2018, 67 deaths have been recorded on Longs Peak, according to data collected by Rocky Mountain National Park. That means that they either didnât read the weather report (under prepared) or they continued to try to summit in spite of what the weather was saying to them: TURN AROUND (overconfidence). Testimonials. The North Face is a technical route of modest difficulty with minimal 5th class terrain. Keyhole Route is one of the most popular 14er routes in Colorado, but that doesnât mean itâs easy. The best treatment for high altitude sickness is to go to a lower elevation as soon as safely possible. Long's Peak stands proudly as Colorado's northernmost fourteener. Related content: The 9 Best Hikes near Leadville, Colorado. However, Longs is no ordinary class 3 fourteener. Check out the Keyhole Route brochure which describes the different sections of the Keyhole Route starting at the Boulder Field and ending at the summit with brief text and photos. Meeker and Longs Peak (SE Longs, âThe Beaverâ). How have people been injured or killed on the Keyhole Route? Remember to enjoy the experience along the way. Trailandsummit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Longs Peak is the pinnacle of mountains here in Rocky Mountain National Park â quite literally. Difficulty: Class 1. The Keyhole and Longs Peak via Longs Peak Trail is a 14.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Allenspark, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The northernmost of Colorado's fourteeners and one of the most accessible to the Denver area, Longs Peak is one of the more difficult of these peaks to climb, owing to challenging route finding, semi-technical and high-consequence scrambling, and the length of the approach trail. That being said, more than half of the climbers that attempt Longs Peak will never see the summit, making Longs Peak the fourteener thatâs got the highest failure rate. Be sure to adequately plan, prepare for, and manage your climb â donât take it lightly. Park employees no longer provide a rating of the Keyhole Route. However, the fact that deaths on Longs have become way too common is no accident. These are the real risks of the mountain. At 14,259 feet, itâs one of the stateâs proudest 14ers, and the only one within Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs is a class 3 fourteener, and oftentimes there are no trails leading to the top of class 3 fourteeners. When approaching the Narrows (or the Ledges, which is another exposed section) remember to keep your head about you. Safety is your responsibility and our concern. Difficulty Rating Defined: a difficulty rating of less than 5 is considered to be an easy hike. Through winter, the Information Office is open 8:00 amâ4:30 pm MonâFri. Through winter, the Information Office is open 8:00 amâ4:30 pm MonâFri. If, for any reason, something indicates that you should turn around, you need to do so. Thank you for taking the time to read more about the Keyhole Route. When you face Longs, whether it is for the first time for the hundredth time, be sure to avoid the crowds, come prepared, and check yourself before you wreck yourself. The mountain was named in honor of explorer Stephen Harriman Long and is f⦠It's close proximity to Denver and its pure majesty make it the most popular climbing mountain in the state. In the past, some visitors have mistakenly assumed that a ânon-technicalâ rating meant âsafe.â Exposure and other risks along the route exist all the time. How is cell phone coverage? The fourteen miles can feel like a lot, especially when rock scrambling is involved near the summit. However, this puts the blame on external forces, when, in fact, the cause of human death is just that: it is most often human error. Come follow in the footsteps of the famous explorer John Wesley Powell as we traverse Longs Peak, the highest peak in Rock Mountain National Park. Difficulty: Class 3 Total Elevation Gain: 5,100 feet Round-trip Distance: 14.50 miles. I generally try to camp near the mountain and wake up around 2 AM, so I am on trail around 3-3:30 am. Check the Longs Peak Conditions page or call the park Information Office at 970-586-1206 to find out the most recent available conditions along the Keyhole Route. The factors are human, they are internal. You will not find water sources along the Keyhole Route. Yes. It is unquestionably the monarch of the Front Range and northern Colorado. Longs is, well, long. Difficulty Risk Factors ; Longs Peak - Keyhole Route. Take deep breaths, focus on your steps, and remind yourself that you control your footwork and that you are safe. Is the âtrailâ to the summit of Longs Peak easy to find? Well, whenever one embarks on an outdoor expedition, whether it be a simple day hike or a two week rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, there will always be aspects of the trip that one perceives to be the most dangerous, but actually arenât very dangerous at all. The peak dominates the breathtaking landscape with its height topping out at 14,259 feet. Donât hesitate to turn back for any reason â your life may depend on it. It's 'Diamond Face' is known as one of the best vertical face climbs in the world. Perhaps the most prominent risk is human error. I am sure that when the artist decided to depict Longs on the quarter, they were imagining that Longs represents the beauty of our Centennial State and the adventurous spirit of its residents. Increased risk factors include: weather, eventual darkness, and a decline in the ability to see others on the route or to successfully navigate in the late afternoon light. If a point is named, I will likely add it to my list regardless of difficulty or relief. I would like to make the argument that death occurs on Longs Peak due to overpopulation, under preparedness, and overconfidence. The most important part of your climb is to plan for a safe return. High altitude sickness (also called acute mountain sickness) occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen at high altitude. A successful hike up Longs Peak via the popular Keyhole Route requires a pre-sunrise start and 8.4 miles and almost 5,000 feet of climbing to a 14,259-foot summit. Longs Peak Summit- Keyhole Route. Longs Peak will lie directly towards the south, and in between is the famous notch known as "The Keyhole". Note: While this is a Class 1 climb, it's quite long at 26 miles. It is not only the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder County, but it is also the 15th highest peak in Colorado. To successfully summit Longs Peak - it is in your best interest to spend time acclimating and hiking other lower elevation summits before attempting Longs Peak. 1. Longs Peak-Keyhole Route Frequently Asked Questions (8 1/2 x 11-PDF 162k. These are actual risks, but often we are less likely to think of them because we can become fixated on perceived risks. It is important to watch for these symptoms in yourself as well as others in your group. For the first six miles, there is a clear, dirt trail that leads you directly to the boulder field just before the Keyhole. Too much focus on the summit can lead to poor decisions! Time for the 15 mile round- trip averages 10 to 15 hours. Distance: 8 miles one way. It is a prized playground for the budding hiker/mountaineer, the intermediate to advanced rock climber, the intermediate to advanced mixed/ice climber, the middle-altitude big wall aid climber; and it even sports a few high-end rock routes. Look for patterns in the current weather and changes in the weather predictions. No one plans to get hurt or killed on Longs Peak. The first few hours stick to smooth but steep trail, then at the Boulderfield the route becomes a rocky scramble with occasional narrow sections above cliffs where a slip could kill. Longs isnât the cursed fourteener, or something like that. Let me be clear here - Longs Peak is probably not a good mountain for the novice hiker or climber. Travelling with others provides an added margin of safety with decision making, shared observations of changing conditions, and the ability to assist or go for help in the event of an accident. Climbers wishing to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route will pass through the notch (see photo below) in order to reach the west side of the ridge, which allows them to make the final 1.3-mile approach to the top. Let us explore this concept. Longs Peak is a true icon of Colorado. It is one of the 54 14,000-foot peaks of Colorado. Would you describe the Keyhole Route as dangerous? People are dying from lightning and hypothermia. Your guide to outdoor adventure since 2019. This website is where I share all our adventures along with tips and advice to help you get outdoors too! For most of the year, climbing Longs Peak is in winter conditions, which requires winter mountaineering experience and the knowledge and use of specialized equipment. For a shorter trip that's also not too exposed, check out the Crags route. This peak features some exposure and Class 3 climbing. If you are looking for a 14er to climb in Colorado, Longs Peak is most likely near the top of your list. Weather and conditions can change in a matter of minutes. It arguably leads to the largest amount of human error and consequential death in the outdoor industry. A crowded mountain alongside weather continually increasing is a dangerous situation. An under prepared or overconfident person doesnât look at the weather report the night before and the morning of. This stubbornness is cause for consequence, and all of it comes to a head when the mountain is overpopulated and the route gets bottlenecked. Many people have fallen while shortcutting or continuing ahead after losing the route. Keep in mind if the route is in âwinter- likeâ conditions sections of the bullâs-eyes will not be visible. Many of the deaths are the result of falling, lightning, hypothermia, and exhaustion. The nearest city is Estes Park and major airport is Denver International. When is the best time of year to try to climb the Keyhole Route? Although there is no trail through the rocks, the entire route contains very obvious yellow and orange bullseyes that will direct you towards the safest and fastest route to the top. * Among the 67 fatalities recorded on Longs Peak between 1915 and 2017, only 4 were women. Elevation Gain: 7,500 feet. Donât climb a mountain unless you are ready. Between 5 and 10 is moderate, and anything over 10 is considered to be a strenuous hike. The Keyhole Route crosses enormous vertical rock faces, is exposed to falling rock, and requires scrambling on all fours. I spend as much time in the mountains as possible. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It is the 14th highest mountain in Colorado at 14,259' and one of the most popular 14ers. By the end of the day together, we would have easily adopted Tamara into our family. Longs Peak (3) 5.4 (Steep Snow) Notch Couloir: CO: 14,255' 64. At 14,259 feet (4,345 meters), Longs Peak is one of the most popular âFourteenersâ in Colorado. The terrain requires route finding skills and the ability to assess and adjust to unexpected or changing weather conditions. Layers of clothing (jackets & pants), including insulating, windproof clothing like synthetic or wool, not cotton. Your ego is not worth your life. The worst danger lies not in the exposure, length, or weather. In order to find out, we must explore the perceived risk of climbing Longs versus the actual risks that one faces when up on the mountain. What a great experience! Make sure that you are not only used to the mileage, but also the altitude. If you manage this, you are way more likely to mitigate the danger of a cluster on the mountain, which could lead to a dangerous situation. Solo travel is never recommended particularly on a high risk activity such as the Keyhole Route. Her guilty pleasure is food writing, because for her there is nothing more enjoyable than a delectable meal. Pikes Peak. This one is easy. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Longs Peak will await your return. I want to make it clear that I am not saying everyone who has died on Longs was there during an overpopulated situation, under prepared, or overconfident. To quickly answer â The risk factors that make Longs Peak hard to climb are often incorrectly perceived. How many people should I expect to see on the Keyhole Route during the summer? Contact | Privacy Policy. This is what you need to bring: One of the most dangerous things a person can carry with them on a mountain is overconfidence. At 14,259 feet above sea level and over 7 miles from the trailhead, this summit will make you earn your views. The last 1.5 miles is by far the most difficult, exposed and hazardous portion of the route. A slip, trip or fall could be fatal. But why are they falling? Longs Peak is the only (â14erâ) peak above 14,000 feet located with Rocky Mountain National Park. The Crown Jewel of Rocky Mountain NP, Longs Peak is one of the most coveted summits in the West. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. From the Longs Peak Trailhead to the summit of Longs Peak along the Keyhole Route is 7.5 miles. Unfortunately there's not enough data to make any solid conclusions regarding this. However, in spite of the Narrowsâ reputation, it is actually a straightforward traverse across a ledge that is at least 5 feet wide, with plenty of hand holds and some rock protection on the exposed side. Therefore, they normally involve copious amounts of rock scrambling and route finding. Obtain a reliable weather forecast for elevations ranging from 8,000 feet to 14,000 feet and be prepared for all types of conditions before you depart the trailhead.
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