Running Longs Peak

[Dan England]

OK, before I ask this question, please note that I've climbed all the 14ers and Longs 15 times and probably 180 or so peaks overall.

Now, having said that, I would like to run at least part of Longs Peak and was wondering if you had any tips for me. I've never done it THAT way. I'm doing this because I would love to climb Longs again solo but I would like to cut the time on the actual trail, I am training for the Pikes Peak Ascent and thought this could be a good thing to do, and it sounds fun.

Any suggestions? Should I even do it? Or just hike fast? Maybe that would have almost as much benefit.

[sstrauss]

I've been passed by people running up the trail to granite pass... in winter.... So I'd say it's doable.

[Sugar Madison]

Longs is quite runnable. The trail is pretty mellow (read: runnable) until the Keyhole. After that, I personally can't really run anymore, so I switch to a fast hike.

Go for it, it's a fun one to run.

[Carl]

Longs is quite runnable. The trail is pretty mellow (read: runnable) until the Keyhole. After that, I personally can't really run anymore, so I switch to a fast hike.

From your avatar I didn't take you as much of a runner.

Now, having said that, I would like to run at least part of Longs Peak and was wondering if you had any tips for me.

Might be fun to find past threads on here on this topic or search online and find the records for running Longs. Something to think about while you're on the trail. Also, if I were to try to run it, I'd take some shortcuts to avoid those damn steps.

[Sugar Madison]

Longs is quite runnable. The trail is pretty mellow (read: runnable) until the Keyhole. After that, I personally can't really run anymore, so I switch to a fast hike.

From your avatar I didn't take you as much of a runner.

That camera always adds 10lbs.

[ducaron]

Nick Clark (ultrarunner) just did this recently and has some good info on the records, etc on his blog. There's also a discussion on it in the comments section.

http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ap snow]

Mike Sullivan has the speed ascent record with an impressive 1h18m31s to the top of Longs. His ascent route was via the Cables route 1982. I kind of recall Jim saying that his record has recently been beat by ten minutes?

[Carl]

Or if you think simply running the Keyhole might be too easy, the Longs Peak Triathlon might be of interest. Bike from Boulder, run to the Diamond, free solo the Casual (ropes permitted but it will just slow you down), summit, run back to the trailhead, and bike back to Boulder. I believe the record is under 11 hours. Good luck!

[JohnWilliams]

I'm planning on running up the cables route tomorrow or Saturday. By run I mean jog as often as possible. I'm aiming for under 3 hours to summit, but would be happy with 3:30.
Does anybody know if the snow under the tech pitch is avoidable yet? I don't want to go up the Keyhole route unless I have to. Thanks

[Carl]

Does anybody know if the snow under the tech pitch is avoidable yet? I don't want to go up the Keyhole route unless I have to. Thanks

Check out the picture in my trip report from Sunday (TR posted last night). The difficult 100 to 150 feet of the north face is still a little wet, but might be manageable. Little bit of snow to cross.

[JohnWilliams]

Thanks Carl!

[Shad]

Sugar, you the man!