The factors are human, they are internal. They naturally don’t trust the gear, because they have never used something like it before. Perhaps the most prominent risk is human error. Rather, it is human error that is the greatest risk one faces on Longs: overpopulation, under-preparedness, and overconfidence are the real problems that one needs to look out for when climbing the mountain, in both themselves and other people. Once you are on the narrows, you will be completely exposed on the south side with a drop below you that could make anyone feel light headed. To quickly answer – The risk factors that make Longs Peak hard to climb are often incorrectly perceived. Let me be clear here - Longs Peak is probably not a good mountain for the novice hiker or climber. It varies greatly and is extremely unreliable. Longs is a class 3 fourteener, and oftentimes there are no trails leading to the top of class 3 fourteeners. Difficulty: Class 3 Total Elevation Gain: 5,100 feet Round-trip Distance: 14.50 miles. 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. Keyhole Route is one of the most popular 14er routes in Colorado, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If the weather starts to go south, if you get injured, if it gets too late in the day, if there are too many people, or if you can’t find the route, turn around. 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. Look for patterns in the current weather and changes in the weather predictions. 53. The nearest city is Estes Park and major airport is Denver International. And, as one of Colorado’s many “fourteeners,” Longs is well known for its difficulty. Do not rely on your cell phone to assist you during an emergency! Meeker and Longs Peak (SE Longs, ‘The Beaver’). Q: When is it usually climbed? Make sure you know what you are doing, prepare for the worst, and most importantly: be ready to turn around. Longs isn’t the cursed fourteener, or something like that. Are you still providing “technical” and “non-technical” ratings concerning the Keyhole Route? Unfortunately there's not enough data to make any solid conclusions regarding this. Along the Keyhole route there are numerous areas where an un-roped fall can be fatal. Excellent customer service. If you find yourself off route and wondering which way to go – don’t shortcut – retrace your steps to your last known position. 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. 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'. Longs Peak is a high and prominent mountain in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Description: This is an ascent of the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park (14,259 ft / 4,346 […] Difficulty: Difficult Elevation range: 9,400-14,259 feet. Safety is your responsibility and our concern. 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. However, weather and conditions vary so it’s best to check with a ranger or online for current conditions, 970-586-1206 or the park's Conditions & Closure page. When is the best time of year to try to climb the Keyhole Route? Therefore, they normally involve copious amounts of rock scrambling and route finding. Your ego is not worth your life. The actual Keyhole Route begins after the Boulder Field. Many accidents on the Keyhole Route occur on the way down from the summit when fatigue or the false assumption that “I’ve done the hardest part” can lead to inattention and poor decision making. Be sure to adequately plan, prepare for, and manage your climb – don’t take it lightly. It's 'Diamond Face' is known as one of the best vertical face climbs in the world. However, the fact that deaths on Longs have become way too common is no accident. How Much Water Should I Carry Backpacking? No one plans to get hurt or killed on Longs Peak. The Longs Peak trail starts at 9,405 feet. Our professional guides will safely lead you on this extremely difficult hike. Would you describe the Keyhole Route as dangerous? Standard Route: East Slopes. It arguably leads to the largest amount of human error and consequential death in the outdoor industry. Your email address will not be published. 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. Through winter, the Information Office is open 8:00 am–4:30 pm Mon–Fri. 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. In Conclusion – Longs Peak is a Colorado classic. For the first six miles, there is a clear, dirt trail that leads you directly to the boulder field just before the Keyhole. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until November. The terrain requires route finding skills and the ability to assess and adjust to unexpected or changing weather conditions. The mountain was named in honor of explorer Stephen Harriman Long and is f… 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. It is common to see hundreds of people along the route and on the summit. While you are at it, snacks and water will provide energy for the trip beyond or your return back to the trailhead. Pikes Peak. From the Keyhole, you only have a mile left of scrambling before you reach the top. The last 1.5 miles is by far the most difficult, exposed and hazardous portion of the route. Many of the deaths are the result of falling, lightning, hypothermia, and exhaustion. 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. 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. Her guilty pleasure is food writing, because for her there is nothing more enjoyable than a delectable meal. Therefore, falling while top roping is a perceived risk. Distance: 26 miles. Longs Peak Summit- Keyhole Route. Your guide to outdoor adventure since 2019. 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. Difficulty Rating Defined: a difficulty rating of less than 5 is considered to be an easy hike. Longs Peak. People are dying from lightning and hypothermia. Standing tall at 14,259 feet, it is Colorado’s 15th highest summit. These are the real risks of the mountain. Summiting Longs Peak is an incredible experience and most people who do so do it safely. Longs Peak is a true icon of Colorado. Contact | Privacy Policy. Is the weather changing or likely to change? These factors seem to be completely external. 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. 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. What are the symptoms of high altitude sickness? This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries. The North Longs Peak Trail heads off to the right. Is the Keyhole Route a hike or a climb? Between 5 and 10 is moderate, and anything over 10 is considered to be a strenuous hike. Early Spring (late May through June) and Fall (Septe… Note: While this is a Class 1 climb, it's quite long at 26 miles. How many miles is the Keyhole Route to Longs Peak? People are falling off Longs Peak. Once at the Keyhole, the best route follows red and yellow bull’s-eyes painted on the rocks. The actual Keyhole Route begins after the Boulder Field. 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. From here you walk and scramble over boulders toward the Keyhole feature. 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. The last 1.5 miles is by far the most difficult, exposed and hazardous portion of the route. There is no “trail” to the summit of Longs Peak. Longs Peak will await your return. The Narrows section is an exposed ledge that occurs around 6.5 miles into the hike. This is the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. The peak dominates the breathtaking landscape with its height topping out at 14,259 feet. If you have a bad feeling in your stomach that you can’t shake, turn around. Difficulty Risk Factors ; Longs Peak - Keyhole Route. I know I should carry common sense, what else should I carry in my pack? DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5 . Longs Peak-Keyhole Route Frequently Asked Questions (8 1/2 x 11-PDF 162k. There are freak accidents that occur all the time in the outdoors. This is what you need to bring: One of the most dangerous things a person can carry with them on a mountain is overconfidence. Longs Peak is so quintessential to Colorado that it is the image etched into the Colorado quarter, meant to symbolize everything that the state represents. It is important to watch for these symptoms in yourself as well as others in your group. The symptoms of altitude sickness include: a dull to throbbing headache, loss of appetite, sick to your stomach or nausea, vomiting, and feeling weak or dizzy. 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 goal should not be to summit, it should be to have a rewarding experience and simultaneously stay safe. 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. 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. The worst danger lies not in the exposure, length, or weather. Many people have fallen while shortcutting or continuing ahead after losing the route. Upon reading this, it can be easy to blame the deaths on perceived risk: heights (of course), weather, and length of the route. Kaiti Kinshella is a Spanish teacher and freelance writer who lives, works, and plays in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Never hesitate to turn back if conditions deteriorate. If you are looking for a 14er to climb in Colorado, Longs Peak is most likely near the top of your list. The North Face is a technical route of modest difficulty with minimal 5th class terrain. Of course, thunderstorms have been known to appear early in the day as well! If symptoms develop, don’t wait to turn around. Longs Peak has more routes than any other mountain in the country – over 120, from exposed scrambles to cutting-edge difficulty, and pure rock to ice and mixed climbs. Longs Peak is the pinnacle of mountains here in Rocky Mountain National Park — quite literally. 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. Testimonials. 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. The Keyhole rock formation, six miles from the Longs Peak Trailhead, is an ideal spot to stop and assess how you and other members of your group are feeling. In fact, as of January 2018, 67 deaths have been recorded on Longs Peak, according to data collected by Rocky Mountain National Park. When approaching the Narrows (or the Ledges, which is another exposed section) remember to keep your head about you. It is totally worth the trek. But….do not rely on the presence of others if you need help. Depending upon conditions, you might encounter snow and ice any time of the year. Like, almost impossible. With the top question in your mind being – How difficult is the Longs Peak climb? Don’t climb a mountain unless you are ready. And yet, they are totally preventable. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. By the end of the day together, we would have easily adopted Tamara into our family. Longs Peak - Keyhole … There are many spectacular ways to summit Long's Peak, and this description highlights the "standard" Keyhole Route. If you can do this, then suddenly the risk of falling won’t feel like that much of a threat anymore. Be just as focused and alert, or even more so, on the way down! Beta – 14 miles, 5,100 feet elevation gain. 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. The 9 Best Hikes near Leadville, Colorado, Overland Vehicle on a Budget: Under $7,500 Spent. 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? Preparedness and self-reliance are essential. Thank you for taking the time to read more about the Keyhole Route. Do not rely on GPS systems or other technology to “show” you the route. From the Longs Peak Trailhead to the summit of Longs Peak along the Keyhole Route is 7.5 miles. This website is where I share all our adventures along with tips and advice to help you get outdoors too! 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. Conditions are constantly changing and influenced by altitude, wind and sudden changes in weather. In spite of the fact that many people end up worrying about problems on Longs that most likely won’t lead to their death, there have been many deaths on Longs. If you’re considering the trek to the top, you certainly have some careful planning ahead. For example, one of my friends and Colorado native recently told me he would never climb Longs because he was afraid of the Narrows section. There has to be a pattern to the deaths, and the most logical answer is human behavior. Do I really need to start at the trailhead before sunrise? The day of, make sure you are observing the temperature, and watching the horizon for dark storm clouds. Solo travel is never recommended particularly on a high risk activity such as the Keyhole Route. 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