Longs Peak Trip Report 11/10/2007

Peak(s):	Longs Peak - 14,259 feet
Date Posted:	11/10/2007
Modified:	07/26/2008
Date Climbed:	11/04/2007
Author:	KirkT

A Long Windy day!!!
LONGS PEAK (14255) November 4 2007 Route: Keyhole Round Trip: 15 miles Elevation Gain: 5100 ft. Hikers: KirkT, Shad, and Tracy I have wanted to hike Longs Peak for most of this year. It has however escaped me every time. When Shad said he would hike it with me I jumped at the chance of attempting this peak in November. It is a rarity in Colorado to attempt and actually summit Long's in the months of November and December. Needless to say I was very excited about the adventure. We met up with one of Shad's training partners Tracy and started our hike at 5 am. The forecast was calling for mid 70's in the city with the high supposed to be around 38 with high winds forecasted in Rocky Mountain National Park. I was not so optimistic with the forecast. They were calling for 40 mph winds with gusts to 60! We decided however to attempt it anyway. The temperature was a balmy 42 degrees at the trailhead. It was not long after we started that we were shedding a layer or two as our bodies started to heat up. The trail through treeline was hit and miss with snowpatches and ice. It was pretty easy to skirt around the bad spots. We reached the turnoff for Chasm Lake in about 2 1/2 hours. The morning Alpenglow on the Diamond Face was truly a breathtaking site. It's amazing how things look that early in the morning. The trail from this point was pretty much covered with snow from several inches to about a foot deep. It could be avoided most of the time by skirting on the rocks that outlined the trail. And the wind.... of yeah the wind was beginning to blow pretty hard now, at least a constant 20+ mph with higher gusts. We all were wearing quite a few layers to keep us shielded from the wind. We reached the boulder field in a little over 3 hours and took a 30 minute break for some refueling. Crossing the boulder field was no fun task as the snow had covered all the areas between the rocks and was at least a foot deep. If there was not a good place to hop to another boulder you would sink pretty good in the snow. Shad reached the keyhole first and it was obvious that the wind blowing through it was freaking brutal. I would estimate that it was at least 40+ blowing through the keyhole. This is when we all 3 made the decision to ditch our trekking poles and bravely continue. When I crossed over through the Keyhole the view was absolutely breathtaking. One of the the most awe inspiring views I have yet to see in the mountains. The viewing was however greatly shortened by the incredible gale force winds hitting us in the face. I was wearing my ski goggles and balcalava and thank goodness for that. The wind was unreal. It would hit you in the face, then switch and push you forward from the back. It made it very difficult to keep your balance at times. I know that I and Tracy both were pushed down countless times by a very large wind gust to our face or backside. The Trough and Narrows were covered by at least 8+ inches of snow along the entire route. This coupled along with the incredible winds was making for a very long day. Shad has hiked this entire route in 9 hours in the summer. This was however no summer day. We were taking alot longer than he had anticpated. The Narrows were especially difficult with the amount of snow cover coupled with the wind. Shad had mentioned several times that if the homestretch was this icy or snowy that there was no way were going to summit. I only hoped that it was not. I have been fortunate enough to summit every peak that I have attempted. I was seriously beginning to think that I was not going to summit this day. After very careful and slow progress we eventually made it to the homestretch. To our delightful surprise it was only partially covered with snow. The wind was however not letting up and was gusting to around 50+ mph. It was unreal. I dropped my pack and decided to continue up the homestretch and attempt to take on this awesome peak. Careful footing and climbing and we were on the summit at 12 noon. It had taken us right at 7 hours exactly to reach the summit. Pretty good I thought though considering the snow conditions and treacherous winds. The most surreal feeling came over us on the summit. There was hardly any wind at all. Maybe a 5-10mph breeze. After 7 hours of 40+ winds the summit was extremely quite. It was very nice for a change. The day was crystal clear and you could see for 100's of miles. The Elks could easily be seen as well as Pikes, and most of the Sawatch range. You would never have a view like this in the summer thats for sure. We spent about 15 minutes on the summit took some photos and began are descent down. Immediately after you peered over the edge to look down the homestretch that lovely Long's wind blasted you in the face. Back to reality! We made our way down the homestretch rather quickly and started to retrace our steps back through the Narrows and the trough. The Narrows were again especially tricky with the heavy snow cover. We proceeded down with caution, catching an occassional glissade when possible. It was great when we reached the Keyhole and finally was able to get some minor relief from the wind. I have to admit... I have hiked in just about every condition out there but when its this windy it just sux. There's no hiding from it. It's difficult to layer properly and it just plain blows! We took a couple breaks and eventually made it back to the trailhead around 6:15pm, round trip of about 13 hours. It took us 7 hours to summit and 5 hours to descend. Not too bad considering the unreal conditions that we were faced with. We only saw 3 other hikers all day. That is extremely rare. I feel extremely fortunate to have summited Long's in November. This peak does not give up its summit easily this time of the year. Great thanks to Shad for hiking along. As usual he led the way after the Keyhole. It was also great hiking with Tracy for the first time. She's an incredible hiker with tons of determination and go! Thanks for a great "Windy" day on Longs! City of Boulder Before sunrise. First Alpenglow on the Diamond Tracy and Me at the Boulder Field. Shad at the Boulder field. Shad going through the narrows. Shad and Tracy going through the Trough! Tracy coming down The Homestretch. My cold butt on the summit! Tracy and me on the summit! Evans, Bierstadt, Grays and Torreys! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

A Long Windy day!!!

LONGS PEAK (14255)
November 4 2007
Route: Keyhole
Round Trip: 15 miles
Elevation Gain: 5100 ft.
Hikers: KirkT, Shad, and Tracy

I have wanted to hike Longs Peak for most of this year. It has however escaped me every time. When Shad said he would hike it with me I jumped at the chance of attempting this peak in November. It is a rarity in Colorado to attempt and actually summit Long's in the months of November and December. Needless to say I was very excited about the adventure.

We met up with one of Shad's training partners Tracy and started our hike at 5 am. The forecast was calling for mid 70's in the city with the high supposed to be around 38 with high winds forecasted in Rocky Mountain National Park. I was not so optimistic with the forecast. They were calling for 40 mph winds with gusts to 60! We decided however to attempt it anyway. The temperature was a balmy 42 degrees at the trailhead. It was not long after we started that we were shedding a layer or two as our bodies started to heat up. The trail through treeline was hit and miss with snowpatches and ice. It was pretty easy to skirt around the bad spots. We reached the turnoff for Chasm Lake in about 2 1/2 hours. The morning Alpenglow on the Diamond Face was truly a breathtaking site. It's amazing how things look that early in the morning. The trail from this point was pretty much covered with snow from several inches to about a foot deep. It could be avoided most of the time by skirting on the rocks that outlined the trail. And the wind.... of yeah the wind was beginning to blow pretty hard now, at least a constant 20+ mph with higher gusts. We all were wearing quite a few layers to keep us shielded from the wind.

We reached the boulder field in a little over 3 hours and took a 30 minute break for some refueling. Crossing the boulder field was no fun task as the snow had covered all the areas between the rocks and was at least a foot deep. If there was not a good place to hop to another boulder you would sink pretty good in the snow. Shad reached the keyhole first and it was obvious that the wind blowing through it was freaking brutal. I would estimate that it was at least 40+ blowing through the keyhole. This is when we all 3 made the decision to ditch our trekking poles and bravely continue. When I crossed over through the Keyhole the view was absolutely breathtaking. One of the the most awe inspiring views I have yet to see in the mountains. The viewing was however greatly shortened by the incredible gale force winds hitting us in the face. I was wearing my ski goggles and balcalava and thank goodness for that. The wind was unreal. It would hit you in the face, then switch and push you forward from the back. It made it very difficult to keep your balance at times. I know that I and Tracy both were pushed down countless times by a very large wind gust to our face or backside.

The Trough and Narrows were covered by at least 8+ inches of snow along the entire route. This coupled along with the incredible winds was making for a very long day. Shad has hiked this entire route in 9 hours in the summer. This was however no summer day. We were taking alot longer than he had anticpated. The Narrows were especially difficult with the amount of snow cover coupled with the wind. Shad had mentioned several times that if the homestretch was this icy or snowy that there was no way were going to summit. I only hoped that it was not. I have been fortunate enough to summit every peak that I have attempted. I was seriously beginning to think that I was not going to summit this day.

After very careful and slow progress we eventually made it to the homestretch. To our delightful surprise it was only partially covered with snow. The wind was however not letting up and was gusting to around 50+ mph. It was unreal. I dropped my pack and decided to continue up the homestretch and attempt to take on this awesome peak. Careful footing and climbing and we were on the summit at 12 noon. It had taken us right at 7 hours exactly to reach the summit. Pretty good I thought though considering the snow conditions and treacherous winds. The most surreal feeling came over us on the summit. There was hardly any wind at all. Maybe a 5-10mph breeze. After 7 hours of 40+ winds the summit was extremely quite. It was very nice for a change. The day was crystal clear and you could see for 100's of miles. The Elks could easily be seen as well as Pikes, and most of the Sawatch range. You would never have a view like this in the summer thats for sure. We spent about 15 minutes on the summit took some photos and began are descent down.

Immediately after you peered over the edge to look down the homestretch that lovely Long's wind blasted you in the face. Back to reality!

We made our way down the homestretch rather quickly and started to retrace our steps back through the Narrows and the trough. The Narrows were again especially tricky with the heavy snow cover. We proceeded down with caution, catching an occassional glissade when possible. It was great when we reached the Keyhole and finally was able to get some minor relief from the wind. I have to admit... I have hiked in just about every condition out there but when its this windy it just sux. There's no hiding from it. It's difficult to layer properly and it just plain blows! We took a couple breaks and eventually made it back to the trailhead around 6:15pm, round trip of about 13 hours. It took us 7 hours to summit and 5 hours to descend. Not too bad considering the unreal conditions that we were faced with. We only saw 3 other hikers all day. That is extremely rare. I feel extremely fortunate to have summited Long's in November. This peak does not give up its summit easily this time of the year. Great thanks to Shad for hiking along. As usual he led the way after the Keyhole. It was also great hiking with Tracy for the first time. She's an incredible hiker with tons of determination and go! Thanks for a great "Windy" day on Longs!

City of Boulder Before sunrise.

First Alpenglow on the Diamond

Tracy and Me at the Boulder Field.

Shad at the Boulder field.

Shad going through the narrows.

Shad and Tracy going through the Trough!

Tracy coming down The Homestretch.

My cold butt on the summit!

Tracy and me on the summit!

Evans, Bierstadt, Grays and Torreys!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

KeithK	Wow! 11/12/2007 1:09pm Great to see you knock off another one this year, Kirk! After doing Longs when it was virtually bone dry, I can hardly imagine attempting it this time of year. You guys is animals!!!
Shad	Another great day 11/12/2007 4:54pm Another epic day!! Good to climb with you again bud. Looking forward to many more in the future. PS here is the link to all my pictures. Shad
BillMiddlebrook	Sweet 11/12/2007 5:08pm Nice job, Kirk!
USAKeller	Very cool 11/12/2007 10:56pm Awesome job guys (and girl!). Pretty cool to be on Longs in November. I really like the 2 sunrise photos. We really need to climb soon- I need my dose of KirkT!!!!!

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