ferdinandverboom - Sep 6, 2007 6:39 am Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2006
Keyhole after a snowstorm
I turned back at my first attemp due to stormy weather. After a night of snowfall I tried again and summited. I was the first one on the snowloaded trail and alone on the summit :)
Early morning clouds and a little precip kept the crowds down. Them rocks are slippery when wet! Caught up in a nasty t-storm on the way down.
cftbq - Aug 27, 2007 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Loft up, Keyhole down
Summitted via the Loft route in order to climb Meeker first. My 32nd fourteener. The traverse below the Palisades is arduous and tricky, but was exhilarating. Slow going up, but made it down in just over 4 hours.
matt81 - Aug 26, 2007 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2007
Keyhole Route
Crowds were not too bad. Fun route.
Joe_Parvis - Aug 24, 2007 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2007
Keyhole Route
Keyhole route from Ranger cabin. Hiked with old college friend and some members of his family. One person developed AMS in Boulderfield and descended with another. (Just a reminder for folks to respect altitude sickness if it strikes.) Buddy and I reached top at about 1030am after 7 hours. I always find this route longer and tougher than I predict (this my 3rd ascent via Keyhole). I was a bit tired from a hike up McHenry's the preceding day. Many denegrate the Keyhole route, but I find it a challenging and tiring day. Exciting to climb with my college friend, who had never been much above 10-11K elev before. Fun day.
rpace - Aug 22, 2007 10:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2007
Loft Ascent/Keyhole Descent
Perfect weather, good company, great ascent route, finally summited (after getting "kicked off" by adverse conditions last year...) Awesome day!
Matt Worster - Aug 20, 2007 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2007
Keyhole
I'm just a peak bagger . . . Narrows were overrated (with no snow of course), top of trough was interesting, section after Trough was a surprise, but fun exposure!
bolojm - Aug 20, 2007 12:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2007
A great training hike
4.5 hours from trailhead to the summit on my first full day in Colorado (less than 12 hours after leaving Indiana)...I'll take it!
mountainloverCO - Aug 16, 2007 11:54 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2007
Keyhole route
What a stunning mountain! Made our way up to the summit in 6 hours back down in about 5. That mountain kicked my butt in all feasible ways...but what an enjoyable experience it was. Loved the Narrows and the Homestretch, but absolutely hated the Trough.
K_G_Wright - Aug 15, 2007 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 1986
My Favorite
This entry's purpose is to sign the log. Climbing with my old man and brother (who was 9), Longs was my first 14er back when I was 12. I've climbed it 10 times, reaching the summit 7 of those attempts. I've done both the standard Keyhole route and the North Face (Old Cables) route. I've seen it in the summer, autumn, and winter. I love this peak! It has taught me a lot, including a deep respect for mountain goddesses. The first body I saw, mountaineering, was at the base of the snowfield above the Boulderfield on my first ascent. I can still recall watching the NPS heli load him up (on the skid) and take off. It's amazing how popular mountaineering has become in the last 30 years. Last time I was up in the home stretch, it looked like a crowded, busy city street. I can only imagine what it could be like in another 30! Have fun and be safe!
whaynal - Aug 14, 2007 5:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2007
Keyhole
Left at 2:20am, reached the summit at 7:05am...the three people already there left when I got there so it was just me and two other guys I hiked with after the Keyhole. Lots of fun, very tiring. I took a nap up top to recoup for the trip back down.
shanrickv - Aug 13, 2007 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
I Love This Mountain!
My second time on top of this beautiful and dangerous mountain. I love Longs. Had the pleasure of climbing with my physical therapist and her husband from my former stomping grounds of Maryland, along with my Colorado climbing partners, Alan, Robert and Nancy. What a great day!
RckyMtneer - Aug 12, 2007 7:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2006
Through the Keyhole
Climbed with my friend Bill and others. Raining on the hike in, but nice in the morning for our ascent from the Boulder Field. Awesome mountain.
heather14 - Aug 12, 2007 6:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Keyhole Route
It was a great day to do Longs...watched the Perseids as we hiked up, great sunrise, great weather and great people.
Art Vandalay - Aug 7, 2007 11:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2007
Fun Hike
Crowded but fun.
chilkoot - Aug 6, 2007 11:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2007
Keyhole
We were a little worried about the altitude on this one since our only acclimatizing climbs were Panorama Point and Mt. Sunflower, but things turned out pretty well. My partner (almost 30 years older than me) was feeling the lack of oxygen, but not seriously enough to turn back. (He sprung back and climbed two other 14ers a couple of days later.)
We had clear skies and a full moon to start our hike, so I didn't use my headlamp except to read the trail signs. There were throngs of people, some seriously focused on this as a culminating event of their entire summer, others out a for a typical day of hiking. I loved every bit of the day as this trail gives you a variety of terrain and scenery. The ledges, the trough and the narrows were each fun in their own way and the summit was full of proud hikers passing out congratulatory remarks. One Harry Potter fanatic even schlepped the newly released Book 7 up to the summit and lounged while he read.
We felt fortunate that the weather held out until we got back down to the Boulder Fields, when the thunder and rain let loose on us. We felt even more fortunate that we scored the last spot in the Longs Peak Campground the night before and didn't have to drive anywhere once we got back down. My first Colorado 14er.
bigwilly - Aug 4, 2007 12:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2007
loft-keyhole combo
combined the Loft with the Keyhole for a spectacular but long (more than 12 hours) classic day.
kunz82414 - Aug 2, 2007 1:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2003
Leave early
Got a late start and experienced an afternoon 14,255 t-storm/hail storm first hand. Made the round trip via keyhole in 9.5 hrs. It was a great experience and the views were spectacular.
Climbed up the Loft route and went back through the Keyhole solo. Really enjoyed the Loft route, but got a D in route-finding in the 'palisades' and went a lot farther down than I would have liked to. Eventually made it, and glad I started early, cause it took awhile.
ferdinandverboom - Sep 6, 2007 6:39 am Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2006
Keyhole after a snowstormI turned back at my first attemp due to stormy weather. After a night of snowfall I tried again and summited. I was the first one on the snowloaded trail and alone on the summit :)
Renardo - Sep 4, 2007 12:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2007
Keyhole of courseEarly morning clouds and a little precip kept the crowds down. Them rocks are slippery when wet! Caught up in a nasty t-storm on the way down.
cftbq - Aug 27, 2007 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Loft up, Keyhole downSummitted via the Loft route in order to climb Meeker first. My 32nd fourteener. The traverse below the Palisades is arduous and tricky, but was exhilarating. Slow going up, but made it down in just over 4 hours.
matt81 - Aug 26, 2007 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2007
Keyhole RouteCrowds were not too bad. Fun route.
Joe_Parvis - Aug 24, 2007 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2007
Keyhole RouteKeyhole route from Ranger cabin. Hiked with old college friend and some members of his family. One person developed AMS in Boulderfield and descended with another. (Just a reminder for folks to respect altitude sickness if it strikes.) Buddy and I reached top at about 1030am after 7 hours. I always find this route longer and tougher than I predict (this my 3rd ascent via Keyhole). I was a bit tired from a hike up McHenry's the preceding day. Many denegrate the Keyhole route, but I find it a challenging and tiring day. Exciting to climb with my college friend, who had never been much above 10-11K elev before. Fun day.
rpace - Aug 22, 2007 10:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2007
Loft Ascent/Keyhole DescentPerfect weather, good company, great ascent route, finally summited (after getting "kicked off" by adverse conditions last year...) Awesome day!
Matt Worster - Aug 20, 2007 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2007
KeyholeI'm just a peak bagger . . . Narrows were overrated (with no snow of course), top of trough was interesting, section after Trough was a surprise, but fun exposure!
bolojm - Aug 20, 2007 12:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2007
A great training hike4.5 hours from trailhead to the summit on my first full day in Colorado (less than 12 hours after leaving Indiana)...I'll take it!
mountainloverCO - Aug 16, 2007 11:54 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2007
Keyhole routeWhat a stunning mountain! Made our way up to the summit in 6 hours back down in about 5. That mountain kicked my butt in all feasible ways...but what an enjoyable experience it was. Loved the Narrows and the Homestretch, but absolutely hated the Trough.
K_G_Wright - Aug 15, 2007 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 1986
My FavoriteThis entry's purpose is to sign the log. Climbing with my old man and brother (who was 9), Longs was my first 14er back when I was 12. I've climbed it 10 times, reaching the summit 7 of those attempts. I've done both the standard Keyhole route and the North Face (Old Cables) route. I've seen it in the summer, autumn, and winter. I love this peak! It has taught me a lot, including a deep respect for mountain goddesses. The first body I saw, mountaineering, was at the base of the snowfield above the Boulderfield on my first ascent. I can still recall watching the NPS heli load him up (on the skid) and take off. It's amazing how popular mountaineering has become in the last 30 years. Last time I was up in the home stretch, it looked like a crowded, busy city street. I can only imagine what it could be like in another 30! Have fun and be safe!
whaynal - Aug 14, 2007 5:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2007
KeyholeLeft at 2:20am, reached the summit at 7:05am...the three people already there left when I got there so it was just me and two other guys I hiked with after the Keyhole. Lots of fun, very tiring. I took a nap up top to recoup for the trip back down.
shanrickv - Aug 13, 2007 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
I Love This Mountain!My second time on top of this beautiful and dangerous mountain. I love Longs. Had the pleasure of climbing with my physical therapist and her husband from my former stomping grounds of Maryland, along with my Colorado climbing partners, Alan, Robert and Nancy. What a great day!
RckyMtneer - Aug 12, 2007 7:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2006
Through the KeyholeClimbed with my friend Bill and others. Raining on the hike in, but nice in the morning for our ascent from the Boulder Field. Awesome mountain.
heather14 - Aug 12, 2007 6:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Keyhole RouteIt was a great day to do Longs...watched the Perseids as we hiked up, great sunrise, great weather and great people.
Art Vandalay - Aug 7, 2007 11:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2007
Fun HikeCrowded but fun.
chilkoot - Aug 6, 2007 11:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2007
KeyholeWe were a little worried about the altitude on this one since our only acclimatizing climbs were Panorama Point and Mt. Sunflower, but things turned out pretty well. My partner (almost 30 years older than me) was feeling the lack of oxygen, but not seriously enough to turn back. (He sprung back and climbed two other 14ers a couple of days later.)
We had clear skies and a full moon to start our hike, so I didn't use my headlamp except to read the trail signs. There were throngs of people, some seriously focused on this as a culminating event of their entire summer, others out a for a typical day of hiking. I loved every bit of the day as this trail gives you a variety of terrain and scenery. The ledges, the trough and the narrows were each fun in their own way and the summit was full of proud hikers passing out congratulatory remarks. One Harry Potter fanatic even schlepped the newly released Book 7 up to the summit and lounged while he read.
We felt fortunate that the weather held out until we got back down to the Boulder Fields, when the thunder and rain let loose on us. We felt even more fortunate that we scored the last spot in the Longs Peak Campground the night before and didn't have to drive anywhere once we got back down. My first Colorado 14er.
bigwilly - Aug 4, 2007 12:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2007
loft-keyhole combocombined the Loft with the Keyhole for a spectacular but long (more than 12 hours) classic day.
kunz82414 - Aug 2, 2007 1:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2003
Leave earlyGot a late start and experienced an afternoon 14,255 t-storm/hail storm first hand. Made the round trip via keyhole in 9.5 hrs. It was a great experience and the views were spectacular.
shmidtb - Jul 31, 2007 3:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2007
Made It via KeyholeThis was a great climb with lots of different terrain. Summited in a cloud so I missed out on the view.
GeorgeJames - Jul 31, 2007 12:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2007
Loft Keyhole LoopClimbed up the Loft route and went back through the Keyhole solo. Really enjoyed the Loft route, but got a D in route-finding in the 'palisades' and went a lot farther down than I would have liked to. Eventually made it, and glad I started early, cause it took awhile.