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RMNP - Longs Peak TH

Trip

Mountaineering – RMNP - Longs Peak TH - The Keyhole

Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route! We will proceed cautiously on this out-and-back mountaineering trip. Generally considered a highly challenging and difficult route, it must be only attempted by highly experienced adventurers.

Contacts

Placeholder Contact Profile
Terry Ploski
Primary Leader
  • Sat, Oct 5, 2024
  • Denver
  • Mountaineering, Hiking
  • Basic Alpine Climb
  • Adults
  • Strenuous, Challenging due to elevation gain & pace
  • Difficult
  • Mileage: 10.2 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,971 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 14,259 ft
  • Maximum Wind: 30 kts
  • Pace: 1,000'/hour

ALL participants must bring an ice axe, helmet, and traction control devices to safely traverse snowy and/or icy route conditions. I am looking for participants that have recent mountaineering activity, able to engage in Class 3/4 scrambling, and make good decisions when encountering pronounced exposure. This route is known for unneccessary fatalities due to poor weather, poor participant conditioning, and insufficient rock climbing and route finding skills. Check out the updated RMNP Longs Peak route conditions, https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/longs_peak_conditions_report.htm

Review:  The seasons have begun to change on Longs Peak. This means that although all major summit routes can still be climbed on dry rock, winter-like hazards can develop rapidly this time of year. These hazards include overnight ice formation and dustings of fresh snow. Snow and ice are reported in the Boulderfield and past the Keyhole. The potential for wet and slick rock conditions is high, and this requires cautious and conservative route finding and travel to stay safe.

Mandatory equipment:

  • Headlamp
  • Traction control devices - microspikes, YakTrax, crampons
  • Ice Axe
  • Helmet
  • Warm clothing for the near freezing summit conditions
    Recommended equipment:
  • Gaiters
  • Trekking poles
  • Warm clothes and windproof outer shell
  • Extra food and water
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Timeline:
  • Departure: 5:00am, [0-miles, 9,387']
  • Treeline: 7:00am [2-miles, 10,706']
  • Chasm View Trail Junction: 8:00am [3-miles, 11,500']
  • Boulderfield: 9:00am [5.5-miles, 12,700']
  • Keyhole: 10:00am [6-miles, 13,253']
  • Longs Peak Summit: 11:30am-12:00pm [7.25-miles, 14,259']
  • Turnaround time: 12:00pm
  • Keyhole: 1:30pm [7.75-miles to 8.0-miles]
  • Chasm View Trail Junction: 3:00pm, [10.5-miles]
  • Treeline: 4:00pm, [12-miles]
  • Trailhead: 5:00pm, [14.5-miles]
  • DEADLINE: 6:00pm
  • Search & Rescue Notification: 7:00pm
  • Meet: 3:00am [CMC Parking Lot, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401 - Climbing wall entrance][I am driving a blue Hyundai Santa Fe SUV]
  • Carpool Departure: NLT 3:30am
  • E. Longs Peak Ranger Station trailhead: 4:45am
  • Trailhead departure: 5:00am
  • Let me know if you prefer to meet between Golden, CO and Boulder, CO
Route/Place

RMNP - Longs Peak TH

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Ten essentials. Effectively prepared for high alpine winter conditions. Mandatory - headlamp, ice axe, climbing helmet, and traction control devices (eg.: cramponsYakTrax, microspikes).

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