Standard Route: East Slopes. Longs Peak is the deadliest mountain in Colorado in terms of the number of fatalities each year, mostly because of the sheer number of people that attempt it. Along the Keyhole route there are numerous areas where an un-roped fall can be fatal. Or, maybe they got blown off of the mountain due to extreme winds (yes, this does happen). Increased risk factors include: weather, eventual darkness, and a decline in the ability to see others on the route or to successfully navigate in the late afternoon light. It's close proximity to Denver and its pure majesty make it the most popular climbing mountain in the state. Distance: 8 miles one way. How is cell phone coverage? This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. How have people been injured or killed on the Keyhole Route? Of course, thunderstorms have been known to appear early in the day as well! It is unquestionably the monarch of the Front Range and northern Colorado. Pack the appropriate gear in order to avoid hypothermia, exhaustion, and injury. Longs Peak (3) 5.4 (Steep Snow) Notch Couloir: CO: 14,255' 64. This high failure rate likely comes due to the peakâs popularity and its difficulty. It arguably leads to the largest amount of human error and consequential death in the outdoor industry. By the end of the day together, we would have easily adopted Tamara into our family. Remember to enjoy the experience along the way. The actual Keyhole Route begins after the Boulder Field. The Keyhole and Longs Peak via Longs Peak Trail is a 14.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Allenspark, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. If you are ready, that means you are overcoming the three main problems of overpopulation, under preparedness, and overconfidence. Another perceived risk of hiking Longs is that one will accidentally go the wrong way. These are the real risks of the mountain. I would like to make the argument that death occurs on Longs Peak due to overpopulation, under preparedness, and overconfidence. In order to find out, we must explore the perceived risk of climbing Longs versus the actual risks that one faces when up on the mountain. On the other hand, what are the actual risks of rock climbing? Therefore, they normally involve copious amounts of rock scrambling and route finding. It is important to watch for these symptoms in yourself as well as others in your group. The first few hours stick to smooth but steep trail, then at the Boulderfield the route becomes a rocky scramble with occasional narrow sections above cliffs where a slip could kill. What to Bring: Sent with trip confirmation. Climbers wishing to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route will pass through the notch (see photo below) in order to reach the west side of the ridge, which allows them to make the final 1.3-mile approach to the top. Her guilty pleasure is food writing, because for her there is nothing more enjoyable than a delectable meal. I know I should carry common sense, what else should I carry in my pack? This one is easy. Do not rely on your cell phone to assist you during an emergency! Longs Peak is a high and prominent mountain in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Difficulty: Class 3 Total Elevation Gain: 5,100 feet Round-trip Distance: 14.50 miles. How Much Water Should I Carry Backpacking? If you are looking for a 14er to climb in Colorado, Longs Peak is most likely near the top of your list. Lots of water - take and drink plenty of fluids such as water or sports drinks, a minimum of 3 to 4 quarts. Make sure you know what you are doing, prepare for the worst, and most importantly: be ready to turn around. The actual loft area that gives this route its name is the wide-open flat plateau that separates Mt. Many accidents on the Keyhole Route occur on the way down from the summit when fatigue or the false assumption that âIâve done the hardest partâ can lead to inattention and poor decision making. Why has Longs come to represent danger for so many people, and is that sentiment justified? If I'm not training for my next 100 mile trail race then you can probably find me exploring a new trail with my family. From the Longs Peak Trailhead to the summit of Longs Peak along the Keyhole Route is 7.5 miles. If you find yourself off route and wondering which way to go â donât shortcut â retrace your steps to your last known position. Longs Peak is the northernmost fourteener in the Rocky Mountains and the highest point in Boulder County and Rocky Mountain National Park. No one plans to get hurt or killed on Longs Peak. Note: While this is a Class 1 climb, it's quite long at 26 miles. How physically fit you are plays no role in whether you get altitude sickness. High altitude sickness (also called acute mountain sickness) occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen at high altitude. These are actual risks, but often we are less likely to think of them because we can become fixated on perceived risks. Our goal is to provide the best available information that will assist in determining if, when and how you may choose to climb this mountain. Stay left on the East Longs Peak Trail and switchback up and easy slope to reach the north end of the Boulder Field, near 12,400'. On Longs, there are many exposed and steep sections that people obsess over because they are afraid of heights and think that they will fall off of the mountain. * Among the 67 fatalities recorded on Longs Peak between 1915 and 2017, only 4 were women. The day of, make sure you are observing the temperature, and watching the horizon for dark storm clouds. Length 14.8 miElevation gain 5039 ftRoute type Out & back The worst danger lies not in the exposure, length, or weather. All you need to do is climb Longs on a weekday or in late fall. Between 5 and 10 is moderate, and anything over 10 is considered to be a strenuous hike. Description: This is an ascent of the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park (14,259 ft / 4,346 [â¦] While it is not as difficult as the toughest 14er summits (Little Bear Peak, Capitol Peak, Crestone Needle, Sunlight Peak), Longs has plenty of difficult, class 3 scrambling. In spite of the fact that many people end up worrying about problems on Longs that most likely wonât lead to their death, there have been many deaths on Longs. From the Keyhole, you only have a mile left of scrambling before you reach the top. Check the Longs Peak Conditions page or call the park Information Office at 970-586-1206 to find out the most recent available conditions along the Keyhole Route. Whether you get altitude sickness danger lies not in the exposure, length, weather... 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