Long's Peak. Rising 14,259 feet above sea level
its glacial basins and towering ridges conjure a stone fortress in the clouds.
Visible from many of Colorado's Front Range cities, its diverse alpine terrain
calls to mountaineers of all skills and abilities.
After snows melt away in mid- to late summer, the route can be climbed without specialized climbing equipment
via the Keyhole Route, named for its passage through the Keyhole,
a small break in one of Long's rocky ridges.
Howeve,r the Keyhole Route involves far greater risk than a day of hiking.
The climb is long, covering 15 miles round-trip with 5,000 vertical feet of gain.
While the first six miles follow a hiking trail,
this quickly changes near the Keyhole where hiking turns to boulder hopping turns to scrambling.
Past the Keyhole lies 1.5 miles of mountain climbing terrain
where slips and falls can lead to serious injuryâand even death.
The Ledges
The Trough
The Narrows
The Homestretch
The long approach and high elevation add to the risk.
Altitude sickness, including headache, nausea, and shortness of breath can begin during any part of the climb.
Exhaustion and dehydration are common, creating a loss of awareness and coordination.
Finally, conditions on the mountain are in a constant state of dramatic change.
In summer, afternoon thunderstorms regularly develop
leaving anyone still above treeline vulnerable to lightning strikes.
Weather shifts quickly and can cover the mountain in ice and snow any time of year.
Given these risks, how can you improve your chances for a safe and successful trip?
First there is no substitute for time spent and miles covered in the mountains.
Steadily work up to the climb by going on increasingly challenging training hikes and climbs.
You will build strength, skill, and sound decision-making,
learn about mountain weather and environments
and experience a wealth of challenging, beautiful, and exciting days outside .
Second: knowledge is power.
Rocky Mountain National Park staff provide updated route conditions on the park website at the trailhead kiosk and at the Longs Peak Ranger Station.
These reports are created by park rangers who specialize in mountaineering and regularly patrol the route.
Read them carefully before starting your trip, and make sure your experience level matches conditions in the field.
Mountain climbing has inherent risks, and by choosing to climb,
you take responsibility for your decisions and safety.
To meet the challenge head-on, devote time to the mountains.
Learn to understand, engage, and manage the risks that come with awe-inspiring alpine terrain.
Longs Peak stands sentinel above the world below.
Approach it with respect.