What a climb! We left Denver at 2 am, and did the route car to car in 15 hours. Keiners is beautiful. Lambslide was in great shape, and Broadway was exciting as well! Keiners Chimney was a bit wet. We got slightly off route near the top of Keiners (we didn't follow the black band all the way north to where we could've scrambled) and had an interesting last 5.6-5.7 pitch that topped us out just below the summit. Highly recommended route
Route Climbed: Kieners Route Date Climbed: June 1, 2003
Sweet Climb! - You just can't beat a sunrise at Chasm Lake. Lots of snow made for some routefinding challenges in getting on Kiener's proper though. Similarly, lots of snow on the North Face make for a "not-so-fun" rappel. Anchors (slingable rocks) are far below the surface and hard to find.
This was another of the 14ers I did with my dad. Seeing this mountain virtually every clear day from where I lived, finally climbing it (esp. with my pops) was very satisfying. Making an alpine drive-start from our home in Federal Heights, I think we got to & left the parking lot around dawn. The weather was good on the way up, & the views were spectacular. The view of the Diamond from the Boulder Field absolutely blew my mind. Considering the length of the hike, the altitude, and the tremendous exposure in certain places, the dozens of people we encountered amazed me (including this late-sixties/seventy-something year-old guy who was hauling major ass). After a short time on top, a storm materialized, chasing the throng (including a guy I knew from the CU hiking club who'd gotten altitude sickness) downwards. Halfway back to the car, my legs had been reduced to 2 strands of wet spaghetti noodles, and I had to use a knee brace of my dad's to make it back. All in all, an amazing day on an amazing mountain!
Route Climbed: Kehole Date Climbed: July 18th 2002
My 1st 14er!!!! Three in our group had never hiked in the mountains (except Lily mountain on the 16th.) We really took our time up to the Keyhole. Once through the Keyhole my niece (22) demonstrated unbelievable bravery when confronted with the cliffs of the Ledges and the intimidation of the Homestretch. She is afraid of heights but refused to turn back even though we were willing to turn back for her. Longs had wonderful mercy though. We had very minor wind...great weather and we needed it. It still took us 17 1/2 hours. This trip was actually a life changer for a couple of us in the group. It was so awesome we are setting our goal for all 55 14ers.
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: June 22, 2002
I first attempted to climb Longs Peak in the summer of 1990 with 3 guys from work. None of us had every climbed a 14er before. I had done a lot of hiking in my day however, I had just moved to Colorado the previous winter and was not used to climbing at such elevation. We left plenty early (or at least we thought) but due to our lack of conditioning we didn't make it to the keyhole with enough time to summit before the weather moved in. We were rained upon most of the descent.
Upon returning to work the following week, people then told me "Heck if you want to climb a 14er - did you know there are lots easier ones you could have started with?", live and learn. At any rate, after 12 other 14ers, I attempted Longs again June 22, 2002. I had many more conditioning climbs under my belt and was ready for the trip. After staring at Longs Peak for nearly 13 years of living here, it was nice to be on the summit. We climbed the mountain during the height of some of the summer fires, so the visibility wasn't the greatest on top, but we had a good group of climbers and a beautiful day otherwise. I would climb it again given the opportunity. This mountain is definitely in my top 10.
Route Climbed: Keyhole Route Date Climbed: August 16, 2002
This was AWESOME!! I've done 9 14ers, and this is by far my favorite, so far. I got a late start (around 7am), but hiked quickly up to the KH. It was quite windy, which caused alot of late starters (like myself) to turn back. I am so glad that I did not turn back. Windy all the way from the KH to the Summit. On the way down, the sun came out, and the windy disappeared. It was tempting to lay down on the granite face (home stretch) and just soak up the sun. It was beautiful. 5 hours to Summit from parking lot and 4 hours back.
Dayhiked from the parking lot starting at 3:30 AM. Beautiful mountain, buts loads and loads of other climbers. Waited in line to cross the exposed sections. Made it to the top at 9:00. Back to the car at 12:00 PM. Definately a good workout, I ran out of water on the descent and was feeling pretty crappy at the end.
Route Climbed: North Face Cable Route Date Climbed: October 16th, 2002
"Climbed Long's via the North Face Cable Route. Weather was windy and very cold, making for a brief stay on the summit itself. The route itself was beautiful, but technically unremarkable, except that continual care needs to be taken in the upper 3rd and 4th class sections to avoid a nasty slip. I would also recommend sticky-rubber climbing boots or approach shoes that are crampon-compatible. I unfortunately had to make the climb in plastic boots, which caused quite a bit of flailing on the technical pitches. As a slab climber, I would rate this route as 5.4 or easy 5.5. There was some ice on the 5th class sections, but it was easily traversed. The dihedrals provide secure hand and foot holds all the way up, and you never have to smear out onto an open face. If completely iced up, I could envision this route being several grades higher... I think I caught it during one of the last favorable days before real winter sets it. All in all, an outstanding and classic route. I would recommend it to anyone with some roped climbing experience. "
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: October 8, 2002
I have done this route before but found it very sporting with a thin layer of snow and ice on the more exposed sections. The alpine start proved essential as the afternoon storms rolled in like clockwork.
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: Sept 28, 2002
Hiked with Becca as a snow storm threatened: we saw precipitation in 3 directions, heard thunder 4 times, and saw lightning once. It was the first time for both of us so we both wanted to make the top and just couldn't turn around once we made it to the Homestretch. It snowed for a bit on the descent but still managed to turn into a gorgeous day. About 65% of the people I ran into turned around at the Keyhole or somewhere else short of the summit. I counted 10 people who made the top. Here's a short TR for more information.
ccoash - Jul 22, 2003 5:38 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: July 15, 2003An excellent climb as always. Little bit of snow in the trough made for a couple tricky spots, but nothing impossible.
climberkjp - Jul 7, 2003 9:28 am
Route Climbed: Keiners Date Climbed: July 6, 2003What a climb! We left Denver at 2 am, and did the route car to car in 15 hours. Keiners is beautiful. Lambslide was in great shape, and Broadway was exciting as well! Keiners Chimney was a bit wet. We got slightly off route near the top of Keiners (we didn't follow the black band all the way north to where we could've scrambled) and had an interesting last 5.6-5.7 pitch that topped us out just below the summit. Highly recommended route
jwclimbs - Jun 6, 2003 1:18 pm
Route Climbed: Kieners Route Date Climbed: June 1, 2003Sweet Climb! - You just can't beat a sunrise at Chasm Lake. Lots of snow made for some routefinding challenges in getting on Kiener's proper though. Similarly, lots of snow on the North Face make for a "not-so-fun" rappel. Anchors (slingable rocks) are far below the surface and hard to find.
hoosierhiker - May 17, 2003 9:10 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: July 31, 2002After being rained out in 2001 I made it to the summit a year later with my friends Jeremy and Dave.
smudge - May 4, 2003 2:41 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: August 20, 2001Not as hard as I had been told, but certainly a challenge. Sore feet, but a lot of fun!!
Diggler - Apr 4, 2003 9:34 am
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: summer, 1995This was another of the 14ers I did with my dad. Seeing this mountain virtually every clear day from where I lived, finally climbing it (esp. with my pops) was very satisfying. Making an alpine drive-start from our home in Federal Heights, I think we got to & left the parking lot around dawn. The weather was good on the way up, & the views were spectacular. The view of the Diamond from the Boulder Field absolutely blew my mind. Considering the length of the hike, the altitude, and the tremendous exposure in certain places, the dozens of people we encountered amazed me (including this late-sixties/seventy-something year-old guy who was hauling major ass). After a short time on top, a storm materialized, chasing the throng (including a guy I knew from the CU hiking club who'd gotten altitude sickness) downwards. Halfway back to the car, my legs had been reduced to 2 strands of wet spaghetti noodles, and I had to use a knee brace of my dad's to make it back. All in all, an amazing day on an amazing mountain!
Wyoming Bob - Mar 29, 2003 7:11 am
Route Climbed: North Face a.k.a Cable Route Date Climbed: March 15, 2003Winter ascent, day before "Snow of 2003". 0230 depart from TH, 1115 summit, 1800 back at TH. Trip report link provided.
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2002
Route Climbed: Loft to Clarks Arrow to summit to Keyhole downLong day but ascending to the Loft allowed me to summit nearby Mt. Meeker too. Pretty cool couple of mountains.
tonybell1 - Feb 26, 2003 7:12 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: July 26, 2001Climbed with my 15 yo son Ryan. First on the summit (8AM).
scvanm - Feb 26, 2003 5:41 pm
Route Climbed: Kehole Date Climbed: July 18th 2002My 1st 14er!!!! Three in our group had never hiked in the mountains (except Lily mountain on the 16th.) We really took our time up to the Keyhole. Once through the Keyhole my niece (22) demonstrated unbelievable bravery when confronted with the cliffs of the Ledges and the intimidation of the Homestretch. She is afraid of heights but refused to turn back even though we were willing to turn back for her. Longs had wonderful mercy though. We had very minor wind...great weather and we needed it. It still took us 17 1/2 hours. This trip was actually a life changer for a couple of us in the group. It was so awesome we are setting our goal for all 55 14ers.
mtnhiker13 - Dec 26, 2002 2:32 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: June 22, 2002I first attempted to climb Longs Peak in the summer of 1990 with 3 guys from work. None of us had every climbed a 14er before. I had done a lot of hiking in my day however, I had just moved to Colorado the previous winter and was not used to climbing at such elevation. We left plenty early (or at least we thought) but due to our lack of conditioning we didn't make it to the keyhole with enough time to summit before the weather moved in. We were rained upon most of the descent.
Upon returning to work the following week, people then told me "Heck if you want to climb a 14er - did you know there are lots easier ones you could have started with?", live and learn. At any rate, after 12 other 14ers, I attempted Longs again June 22, 2002. I had many more conditioning climbs under my belt and was ready for the trip. After staring at Longs Peak for nearly 13 years of living here, it was nice to be on the summit. We climbed the mountain during the height of some of the summer fires, so the visibility wasn't the greatest on top, but we had a good group of climbers and a beautiful day otherwise. I would climb it again given the opportunity. This mountain is definitely in my top 10.
zzril - Nov 22, 2002 12:19 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: August 1988This was my first Fourteener, climbed one week after arriving in Colorado from Memphis, TN. Hardest thing I had ever done at that point in my life.
rob_runkle - Nov 2, 2002 8:31 am
Route Climbed: Keyhole Route Date Climbed: August 16, 2002This was AWESOME!! I've done 9 14ers, and this is by far my favorite, so far. I got a late start (around 7am), but hiked quickly up to the KH. It was quite windy, which caused alot of late starters (like myself) to turn back. I am so glad that I did not turn back. Windy all the way from the KH to the Summit. On the way down, the sun came out, and the windy disappeared. It was tempting to lay down on the granite face (home stretch) and just soak up the sun. It was beautiful. 5 hours to Summit from parking lot and 4 hours back.
Martin Cash - Oct 31, 2002 4:30 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: July 7, 2001Dayhiked from the parking lot starting at 3:30 AM. Beautiful mountain, buts loads and loads of other climbers. Waited in line to cross the exposed sections. Made it to the top at 9:00. Back to the car at 12:00 PM. Definately a good workout, I ran out of water on the descent and was feeling pretty crappy at the end.
sandfox - Oct 31, 2002 1:27 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: August, 2000A great one-day climb
Hayesred - Oct 31, 2002 11:35 am
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: July 85, Aug 86, Aug 87, July 89, Aug 91Great all day climb or 2 day camp. World's best view while sitting on the crapper in the boulder fields.
dmoorecs - Oct 21, 2002 2:09 pm
Route Climbed: North Face Cable Route Date Climbed: October 16th, 2002"Climbed Long's via the North Face Cable Route. Weather was windy and very cold, making for a brief stay on the summit itself. The route itself was beautiful, but technically unremarkable, except that continual care needs to be taken in the upper 3rd and 4th class sections to avoid a nasty slip. I would also recommend sticky-rubber climbing boots or approach shoes that are crampon-compatible. I unfortunately had to make the climb in plastic boots, which caused quite a bit of flailing on the technical pitches. As a slab climber, I would rate this route as 5.4 or easy 5.5. There was some ice on the 5th class sections, but it was easily traversed. The dihedrals provide secure hand and foot holds all the way up, and you never have to smear out onto an open face. If completely iced up, I could envision this route being several grades higher... I think I caught it during one of the last favorable days before real winter sets it. All in all, an outstanding and classic route. I would recommend it to anyone with some roped climbing experience. "
miztflip - Oct 9, 2002 2:24 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: October 8, 2002I have done this route before but found it very sporting with a thin layer of snow and ice on the more exposed sections. The alpine start proved essential as the afternoon storms rolled in like clockwork.
rmjwinters - Oct 5, 2002 9:15 pm
Route Climbed: The Loft Date Climbed: July 9 1999Great and beautiful mountain. Too bad it's scarred from orange bulleyes. Sheesh!
John - Sep 30, 2002 8:06 pm
Route Climbed: Keyhole Date Climbed: Sept 28, 2002Hiked with Becca as a snow storm threatened: we saw precipitation in 3 directions, heard thunder 4 times, and saw lightning once. It was the first time for both of us so we both wanted to make the top and just couldn't turn around once we made it to the Homestretch. It snowed for a bit on the descent but still managed to turn into a gorgeous day. About 65% of the people I ran into turned around at the Keyhole or somewhere else short of the summit. I counted 10 people who made the top. Here's a short TR for more information.