Longs Peak Trip Report 06/01/2024

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Longs Peak - 14,259 feet
Date Posted	06/01/2024
Date Climbed	08/01/2012
Author	DenverLady

Friendly Reminder to stay safe on Longs! Make better choices than me...
Hello! I hope you are excited about hiking this season! I am writing this report as a reminder that you need to be prepared when climbing Longs Peak. Meaning START EARLY and PACK SMART. Longs is an epic, and absolutely beautiful hike, please read several trip reports to get a feel for the length and route. I have done it twice, once was a fantastic experience, although we wandered off the main route accidentally, so I recommend getting acquainted really well with the route. The second time however, MY FRIEND BROKE HER COLLAR BONE. That is why I am writing this, to help steer people clear of my mistakes. First of all we started late, (we left Boulder at 8am I think?). Not a great choice as you really want to peak before the afternoon thundershowers hit. Secondly, we did not pack with the understanding in mind that it is still winter up top, so were under provisioned when hiking back. Third, we did not listen. Once we made it to the keyhole, we met a man who regularly climbs this peak who asked if we were sure we wanted to keep going. This was a pretty fair warning that the crowd was trickling away and we were the stragglers, and it might be better to turn around. My group and I checked in with each other, and we were pretty pumped, having made it to the keyhole, and decided we were ready to keep going. At the top, there was only one traveler left, and he descended. Then a storm broke right at the top. The last 100m stretch right before the top is extremely dangerously steep, and my friend slipped on the wet surface, grabbed a rock, swung around, and cracked her collar bone. I absolutely thank God for protecting us that day, because on that particular pitch, SHE COULD HAVE EASILY FALLEN TO HER DEATH. Eventually we were able to get to a more stable area and check in with her and call for help. We were extremely blessed to have someone sent up the hike with gear to help us. He eventually got her down by the next morning and we were able to drive her to the hospital. I am writing this trip report now (a decade later) because, honestly, it still wakes me up at night, as I feel personally responsible for my friend's broken collar bone, and for risking each of our lives like that. Especially as I was the most experienced hiker in the group. I am not trying to deter you from this gorgeous mountain, but to have clear communication with your crew that you want this to be a SAFE hike first and foremost, and that each of you are going to do your due diligence on understanding the route before you leave. If you are the only hikers left on the mountain and it's late, it's ok to turn around! I hope this helps everyone stay alert and prepared, and maybe have more clarity to really TAKE THAT LAST PITCH SERIOUSLY. The last time I hiked it, the last 100m had an ok rail to grab onto, but if any powers that be read this, I suggest that since this is such a popular front range hike, maybe installing something a bit more sturdy would save a life. Be well <3

Friendly Reminder to stay safe on Longs! Make better choices than me...

Hello! I hope you are excited about hiking this season!

I am writing this report as a reminder that you need to be prepared when climbing Longs Peak. Meaning START EARLY and PACK SMART.

Longs is an epic, and absolutely beautiful hike, please read several trip reports to get a feel for the length and route.

I have done it twice, once was a fantastic experience, although we wandered off the main route accidentally, so I recommend getting acquainted really well with the route.

The second time however, MY FRIEND BROKE HER COLLAR BONE.

That is why I am writing this, to help steer people clear of my mistakes.

First of all we started late, (we left Boulder at 8am I think?). Not a great choice as you really want to peak before the afternoon thundershowers hit.

Secondly, we did not pack with the understanding in mind that it is still winter up top, so were under provisioned when hiking back.

Third, we did not listen. Once we made it to the keyhole, we met a man who regularly climbs this peak who asked if we were sure we wanted to keep going. This was a pretty fair warning that the crowd was trickling away and we were the stragglers, and it might be better to turn around. My group and I checked in with each other, and we were pretty pumped, having made it to the keyhole, and decided we were ready to keep going.

At the top, there was only one traveler left, and he descended. Then a storm broke right at the top. The last 100m stretch right before the top is extremely dangerously steep, and my friend slipped on the wet surface, grabbed a rock, swung around, and cracked her collar bone. I absolutely thank God for protecting us that day, because on that particular pitch, SHE COULD HAVE EASILY FALLEN TO HER DEATH.

Eventually we were able to get to a more stable area and check in with her and call for help. We were extremely blessed to have someone sent up the hike with gear to help us. He eventually got her down by the next morning and we were able to drive her to the hospital.

I am writing this trip report now (a decade later) because, honestly, it still wakes me up at night, as I feel personally responsible for my friend's broken collar bone, and for risking each of our lives like that. Especially as I was the most experienced hiker in the group.

I am not trying to deter you from this gorgeous mountain, but to have clear communication with your crew that you want this to be a SAFE hike first and foremost, and that each of you are going to do your due diligence on understanding the route before you leave. If you are the only hikers left on the mountain and it's late, it's ok to turn around!

I hope this helps everyone stay alert and prepared, and maybe have more clarity to really TAKE THAT LAST PITCH SERIOUSLY. The last time I hiked it, the last 100m had an ok rail to grab onto, but if any powers that be read this, I suggest that since this is such a popular front range hike, maybe installing something a bit more sturdy would save a life.

Be well <3

Comments or Questions

NovaDevi25

Questions.
6/2/2024 8:02am

Definitely some good lessons learned it sounds like and I am glad your friend was ultimately okay. Longs is a serious endeavor.

However your report confuses me somewhat as I am not aware of there ever having been rails anywhere on Longs, the closest thing to permanent hardware that I've ever been aware of since I started hiking in RMNP in the very early 2000's were the Cables Route eyebolts and the metal rods driven in near the V-Rock on the Ledges.

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