Climbed with another party, both from Sierra Mountaineering Club. Route has great exposure and the climbing is fun and solid. Simul-climbed until the access ramp then 4 pitches from there.
Quality alpine route away from the crowds. Stayed on the east side of the ridge. The second tower climbing and OW crack at the top are fun. Exposure, great position, magnificent views, -- classic route.
Brian C - Jul 16, 2011 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2011
Best route so far
My 6th route on Longs and probably the best so far. Very fun climbing with great position. We followed Gerry Roach's description and did all the climbing on the east side of the ridge instead of traversing around the back. Fun and exposed. A great route.
The weather finally gave in and gave us a nice day for an alpine climb. And there was only 1 other group on the route. The 10ft step caught my attention, especially since I love downclimbing ;-) I was thankful not to be on the standard route when I heard rockfall from the Trough and then, funny enough almost had my head taken off at the rap by a huge rock. 4th Longs summit & 4th route.
SarahThompson - Mar 3, 2008 12:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Very fun climb!
One of my first alpine routes and certainly the hardest to date. We saw several groups on this route and all were roped. The climbing isn't that difficult but the exposure is a big factor in places. It was cool looking down onto the standard route from above and seeing ants milling up and down the trough. My 3rd ascent of Longs, but by far the best one. Descended the cables route.
jwclimbs - Aug 20, 2007 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
Good Route
Good alternate to the standard route if you're comfortable with the grade. For those who typically go sans rope when others seem to be on the fence, this would be a great climb for just that. The exposure probably warrants a rope otherwise. Climbed with Miztflip & coloradoiceclimber.
miztflip - Aug 19, 2007 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2007
Fun Route
Fun alternative to the Keyhole route for those with the ability. The technical sections where short and relatively easy. Still, great exposure on very clean rock. Climbed with jwclimbs and coloradoiceclimber, descended the Cable route and the camel to Chasm Lake.
This was an awesome stab at my first alpine rock route. I never knew scrambling and moderate rock could be so fun. We met two guys who camped at the boulder field unsure of what to do, so they followed us and loved it.
Most people seem to go around the back side, we stayed on the sunny side for all but about 40 feet. The 5.5 crux has great exposure!
Mountain Jim - Jul 9, 2006 11:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 1978
Best route on the mountain
If you're looking for an elegant, "fun in the sun" mountaineering route ... away from the crowds, this is the route.
I've done it about a dozen times.
Darren9 - Jul 10, 2014 10:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2014
GreatClimbed with another party, both from Sierra Mountaineering Club. Route has great exposure and the climbing is fun and solid. Simul-climbed until the access ramp then 4 pitches from there.
strudolyubov - Jul 31, 2011 4:21 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2011
Keyhole RidgeQuality alpine route away from the crowds. Stayed on the east side of the ridge. The second tower climbing and OW crack at the top are fun. Exposure, great position, magnificent views, -- classic route.
Brian C - Jul 16, 2011 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2011
Best route so farMy 6th route on Longs and probably the best so far. Very fun climbing with great position. We followed Gerry Roach's description and did all the climbing on the east side of the ridge instead of traversing around the back. Fun and exposed. A great route.
Trip Report
heather14 - Jul 18, 2010 9:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2010
Solitude on Longs?!The weather finally gave in and gave us a nice day for an alpine climb. And there was only 1 other group on the route. The 10ft step caught my attention, especially since I love downclimbing ;-) I was thankful not to be on the standard route when I heard rockfall from the Trough and then, funny enough almost had my head taken off at the rap by a huge rock. 4th Longs summit & 4th route.
SarahThompson - Mar 3, 2008 12:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Very fun climb!One of my first alpine routes and certainly the hardest to date. We saw several groups on this route and all were roped. The climbing isn't that difficult but the exposure is a big factor in places. It was cool looking down onto the standard route from above and seeing ants milling up and down the trough. My 3rd ascent of Longs, but by far the best one. Descended the cables route.
jwclimbs - Aug 20, 2007 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
Good RouteGood alternate to the standard route if you're comfortable with the grade. For those who typically go sans rope when others seem to be on the fence, this would be a great climb for just that. The exposure probably warrants a rope otherwise. Climbed with Miztflip & coloradoiceclimber.
miztflip - Aug 19, 2007 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2007
Fun RouteFun alternative to the Keyhole route for those with the ability. The technical sections where short and relatively easy. Still, great exposure on very clean rock. Climbed with jwclimbs and coloradoiceclimber, descended the Cable route and the camel to Chasm Lake.
ascendingzion - Jul 13, 2007 5:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
great timeThis was an awesome stab at my first alpine rock route. I never knew scrambling and moderate rock could be so fun. We met two guys who camped at the boulder field unsure of what to do, so they followed us and loved it.
Most people seem to go around the back side, we stayed on the sunny side for all but about 40 feet. The 5.5 crux has great exposure!
Mountain Jim - Jul 9, 2006 11:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 1978
Best route on the mountainIf you're looking for an elegant, "fun in the sun" mountaineering route ... away from the crowds, this is the route.
I've done it about a dozen times.