Grays/Torreys or Longs Peak this weekend 11/11-11/13

[Ptglhs]

I had a similar experience on Blanca/Ellingwood. I was going up the C2 Couloir from Zapata Lake and had to turn back 200ft from the ridge. It was snowing, the couloir was scaring the crap out of me given how loose and slippery it was, and I just decided it wasn't smart to keep going. I'll try again next summer. I'm sure you'll get Long's next time! Dittoing what the other posters have said: some kind of traction is a must if you're hiking outside of July-August.

[Trotter]

Just got back from Longs. Attempted it solo. Brought poles and ice trekkers (don't own micro spikes or ice axe). Started out around 4am.

Getting to the Boulder field was easy, climbing up to the keyhole was fun, and I started getting a bit nervous after that. The exposure was much greater than anything I've ever experienced. I didn't feel comfortable on the ledges even though the snow isn't bad. The trough is steeper in person than in the photos I've seen. I was going slow enough on the ledges that I started getting REALLY cold. I was wearing long pants, two lighter north face jackets, a face mask, and mechanics gloves. My fingers went numb and about half way up the trough I realized that although I was confident I could make the summit I didn't want to be numb from the cold and slip on the way down.

I made the hard decision to turn back. When I got back to the keyhole it had warmed up a little so I strongly considered turning back around and going at it, but knew I was underdressed. Should have done Grays/Torrey's instead. Maybe tomorrow.

Sounds like you made the right choice. Hiking is supposed to be fun, and if you are cold and nervous, its not fun.