Sarah Simon - Aug 23, 2009 8:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2009
Keyhole
What a lovely day on an awesome mountain. I forgive Longs for the crowds that flock to it, because this is one fantastic mountain and a blast of a route. Jill and I got a bit of a late start, not hitting the trailhead until 2:55 AM (heh heh) but I loved watching the sun rise on the Keyhole. Minus the dad who made his 12 year old daughter cry on the Narrows, I had such a blast this day. Partner: Jill.
aedwards - Aug 15, 2009 11:17 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2009
Keyhole
Hiked up in total fog, camped at boulderfield. Short but strong hail storm in the evening. Got up and hiked with others camped out there.
Some hail on the route past the Keyhole, esp. on the home stretch.
Otherwise awesome, and I think a relatively low-traffic day.
Kiefer - Aug 9, 2009 9:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
keiners
tagged the extremly windy summit after a strange weather morning on Kieners Route. This route is bad-ass!!!!! 7th summit.
Dangers Pop - Aug 9, 2009 2:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2009
Keyhole Route
Now this was a hike! I'd been wanting to hike this mountain for years. Arrived at parking area at 0330 only to find it completely full. 0400 start with headlamp. By the time I made it to the keyhole the weather was rolling in. Some were turning around, but the bands of dark clouds didn't look too crazy. Made the summit on some slick granite. Well worth the effort...
Glad to have summited! Woke up at 3 a.m. at the trail head at 3:40 a.m. With headlamps we hiked up to the keyhole. Rested, and were at the summit at around 10:20 a.m. ?
Large thunderstorm when below the boulderfield, hail, freezing rain, freezing air. Thunder booms everwhere! Got back to the car at 3 p.m.
Very good solid scarmble!
The best i have done in Colorado!
If you are near Denver, this is one you must do!
ericd - Jul 28, 2009 12:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2009
Long 12hr 1-day climb
A classic class III wrap-around scramble with multiple rock slab pitches past the Keyhole. Flat top summit with no survey marker was different. T-storms made for a wet rock descent. Friendly climbers added to the safety on this route and rock fall wasn't too bad. Might suggest staying at the hostel in Estes Park but never been. Car to car in 12hrs. Anyone find similar to climbing mt Whitney?
billhbailey - Jul 27, 2009 11:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2009
Crouded keyhole
Started at 10 AM, Ranger Station (9,400). Followed Trail to where it disappears into the boulders, just before keyhole. Hit the ridge at just about 11:45 AM (1:45). Due to scads of people and fear of falling along “keyhole” it took 56 min to do last mile. Total time to the top was 2:41, but considering the large switchbacks (signs everywhere saying not to shortcut) on the way up….At least 30 minutes could be cut off by shortcutting up to keyhole and 15 minutes if nobody was in the way on “keyhole”. Total round trip took 4:55, back just before 3:00 PM
It feels great to finally check this one off! The scenery and exposure were as good or better than any mountain I've ever climbed. Took about 11.5 hours car to car with great weather and lots of photo breaks. Not as many people as I expected to see on a Saturday.
thebeave7 - Jul 17, 2009 11:35 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2009
Keyhole Morning Climb
I've lost count, but it was another beautiful midweek day on Longs with not a person in sight. Made the summit in 3.5h even with the heavy snow coverage.
dirth - Jul 9, 2009 12:51 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2009
Strongest wind I have ever seen
Camped at Boulderfield. Were planning on getting up at 4 to summit by sunrise but the winds were crazy even down in the Boulderfield. Decided it was safer to wait until sunrise to start. Winds were 60+ in the Keyhole and several other wind funnels (near the top of the trough, on the bend in the narrows, and on the summit). Had the summit to myself for about 30 minutes and tried to stagger around and take some pictures.
km_donovan - Jun 29, 2009 8:32 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2009
Second time around
Went Lambs Slide to The Loft to Clarks Arrow to the Home Stretch and then rapped the Cables Route. Got to the Boulder Field and a monster storm hit. 60+ winds and snow, several in our group were blown over.
JB99 - May 5, 2009 4:11 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
3 Summits to Date
Climbed first via the Keyhole, then twice via the Loft. Once solo to spread a lost friends ashes. Longs is a special peak, attempted the Trough earlier this year but the mountains commonly harsh winds turned us back. Trip reports found here; http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=3400&parmuser=JB99&cpgm=tripuser; http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=5004&parmuser=JB99&cpgm=tripuser; http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=5152&parmuser=JB99&cpgm=tripuser
Most of our Denali team plus several friends met at Glacier Gorge TH for an attempt via the Trough route. We had decent weather, without wind, for the first half of the day then it started to snow. A great day out in RMNP!
__________________________
5 March 2005
Rkymtn and I got an early start on what was a beautiful Colorado winter day. The snow in the Trough wasn't consolidated so we had to kick step the whole way. It also meant we couldn't glissade on the way down. A long day but well worth the workout.
skyward22 - Apr 12, 2009 10:59 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2009
finally
Finally made the summit at 4:00 p.m. on 04/10/09, 1 day before my birthday. This was my 4th attempt on a mountain that clearly had my number. 1st attempt resulted in a forced bivy (with nothing but the clothes I had) at 13,000 ft. on the other side of the Keyhole from the boulderfield in conditions that disallowed me from finding my way back to the notch. Winds were so violent that day that earlier I was knocked off my feet a few times in the Boulderfield. Loose powdery snow on slab rock was a little unnerving at times between the keyhole and trough. My partner Alex turned back halfway between the Keyhole and trough, feeling he wasn't strong and fast enough to make the summit and return to the keyhole before dark. Felt good to finally make this one, despite too much cloud cover for any views on the summit. Saw ptarmigan and a snowshoe hare on the way down below treeline.
awillson - Mar 29, 2009 12:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2007
Did the north face. When we were hiking up the night before, a large team was coming down telling us they had attempted four times to make it to the top but was not able to due to the winds. We still decided to keep going despite the strong winds on the way to the boulderfield. After a chilly night, we started out on the north face which was turned out to be a fun, interesting climb. We somehow forgot to bring our headlamps and had to repel in the dark, but other than that it was a great climb.
Sarah Simon - Aug 23, 2009 8:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2009
KeyholeWhat a lovely day on an awesome mountain. I forgive Longs for the crowds that flock to it, because this is one fantastic mountain and a blast of a route. Jill and I got a bit of a late start, not hitting the trailhead until 2:55 AM (heh heh) but I loved watching the sun rise on the Keyhole. Minus the dad who made his 12 year old daughter cry on the Narrows, I had such a blast this day. Partner: Jill.
aedwards - Aug 15, 2009 11:17 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2009
KeyholeHiked up in total fog, camped at boulderfield. Short but strong hail storm in the evening. Got up and hiked with others camped out there.
Some hail on the route past the Keyhole, esp. on the home stretch.
Otherwise awesome, and I think a relatively low-traffic day.
Kiefer - Aug 9, 2009 9:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
keinerstagged the extremly windy summit after a strange weather morning on Kieners Route. This route is bad-ass!!!!! 7th summit.
Dangers Pop - Aug 9, 2009 2:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2009
Keyhole RouteNow this was a hike! I'd been wanting to hike this mountain for years. Arrived at parking area at 0330 only to find it completely full. 0400 start with headlamp. By the time I made it to the keyhole the weather was rolling in. Some were turning around, but the bands of dark clouds didn't look too crazy. Made the summit on some slick granite. Well worth the effort...
Wiktoria Plawska - Jul 30, 2009 1:44 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2009
Keyhole + Longs- DayhikeGlad to have summited! Woke up at 3 a.m. at the trail head at 3:40 a.m. With headlamps we hiked up to the keyhole. Rested, and were at the summit at around 10:20 a.m. ?
Large thunderstorm when below the boulderfield, hail, freezing rain, freezing air. Thunder booms everwhere! Got back to the car at 3 p.m.
Very good solid scarmble!
The best i have done in Colorado!
If you are near Denver, this is one you must do!
ericd - Jul 28, 2009 12:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2009
Long 12hr 1-day climbA classic class III wrap-around scramble with multiple rock slab pitches past the Keyhole. Flat top summit with no survey marker was different. T-storms made for a wet rock descent. Friendly climbers added to the safety on this route and rock fall wasn't too bad. Might suggest staying at the hostel in Estes Park but never been. Car to car in 12hrs. Anyone find similar to climbing mt Whitney?
billhbailey - Jul 27, 2009 11:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2009
Crouded keyholeStarted at 10 AM, Ranger Station (9,400). Followed Trail to where it disappears into the boulders, just before keyhole. Hit the ridge at just about 11:45 AM (1:45). Due to scads of people and fear of falling along “keyhole” it took 56 min to do last mile. Total time to the top was 2:41, but considering the large switchbacks (signs everywhere saying not to shortcut) on the way up….At least 30 minutes could be cut off by shortcutting up to keyhole and 15 minutes if nobody was in the way on “keyhole”. Total round trip took 4:55, back just before 3:00 PM
LonePeakFreak - Jul 23, 2009 3:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2009
Worth the Wait!It feels great to finally check this one off! The scenery and exposure were as good or better than any mountain I've ever climbed. Took about 11.5 hours car to car with great weather and lots of photo breaks. Not as many people as I expected to see on a Saturday.
thebeave7 - Jul 17, 2009 11:35 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2009
Keyhole Morning ClimbI've lost count, but it was another beautiful midweek day on Longs with not a person in sight. Made the summit in 3.5h even with the heavy snow coverage.
dirth - Jul 9, 2009 12:51 am Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2009
Strongest wind I have ever seenCamped at Boulderfield. Were planning on getting up at 4 to summit by sunrise but the winds were crazy even down in the Boulderfield. Decided it was safer to wait until sunrise to start. Winds were 60+ in the Keyhole and several other wind funnels (near the top of the trough, on the bend in the narrows, and on the summit). Had the summit to myself for about 30 minutes and tried to stagger around and take some pictures.
km_donovan - Jun 29, 2009 8:32 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2009
Second time aroundWent Lambs Slide to The Loft to Clarks Arrow to the Home Stretch and then rapped the Cables Route. Got to the Boulder Field and a monster storm hit. 60+ winds and snow, several in our group were blown over.
lloyd - May 13, 2009 11:46 pm
Key HoleI'll never forget those bull's eyes!
JB99 - May 5, 2009 4:11 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2007
3 Summits to DateClimbed first via the Keyhole, then twice via the Loft. Once solo to spread a lost friends ashes. Longs is a special peak, attempted the Trough earlier this year but the mountains commonly harsh winds turned us back. Trip reports found here; http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=3400&parmuser=JB99&cpgm=tripuser; http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=5004&parmuser=JB99&cpgm=tripuser; http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=5152&parmuser=JB99&cpgm=tripuser
Haliku - Apr 12, 2009 2:40 pm Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009
TroughMost of our Denali team plus several friends met at Glacier Gorge TH for an attempt via the Trough route. We had decent weather, without wind, for the first half of the day then it started to snow. A great day out in RMNP!
__________________________
5 March 2005
Rkymtn and I got an early start on what was a beautiful Colorado winter day. The snow in the Trough wasn't consolidated so we had to kick step the whole way. It also meant we couldn't glissade on the way down. A long day but well worth the workout.
skyward22 - Apr 12, 2009 10:59 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2009
finallyFinally made the summit at 4:00 p.m. on 04/10/09, 1 day before my birthday. This was my 4th attempt on a mountain that clearly had my number. 1st attempt resulted in a forced bivy (with nothing but the clothes I had) at 13,000 ft. on the other side of the Keyhole from the boulderfield in conditions that disallowed me from finding my way back to the notch. Winds were so violent that day that earlier I was knocked off my feet a few times in the Boulderfield. Loose powdery snow on slab rock was a little unnerving at times between the keyhole and trough. My partner Alex turned back halfway between the Keyhole and trough, feeling he wasn't strong and fast enough to make the summit and return to the keyhole before dark. Felt good to finally make this one, despite too much cloud cover for any views on the summit. Saw ptarmigan and a snowshoe hare on the way down below treeline.
awillson - Mar 29, 2009 12:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2007
LongsNarrows was a bit scary!
Pablohoney - Mar 27, 2009 6:38 pm
What a great peakThere are so many ways to do this peak, all very worthwhile. Looking forward to the next time back there.
ChrisHunley - Mar 27, 2009 5:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2007
First of many...summits of Long's Peak. Via Keyhole route.
COhawkeye - Mar 18, 2009 2:10 pm
First 14erClimbed in August of 2007 with my brother and uncle.
DanielWandsneider - Mar 18, 2009 2:07 am Date Climbed: Nov 15, 2008
Perfect dayDid the north face. When we were hiking up the night before, a large team was coming down telling us they had attempted four times to make it to the top but was not able to due to the winds. We still decided to keep going despite the strong winds on the way to the boulderfield. After a chilly night, we started out on the north face which was turned out to be a fun, interesting climb. We somehow forgot to bring our headlamps and had to repel in the dark, but other than that it was a great climb.