Started the approach at around 3:20am by headlamp, and made it up to boulder field by around sunrise at 6:00am. The trail was one of the best maintained that I’ve been on in a while. It’s getting pretty late in the 14er season and temperature was perfect for a shirt if you’re keep moving, and a puffer jacket if you’re not (I’d recommend light gloves though). Stopped at boulder field for snacks and bathroom and would recommended filling up there if low on water both on the way up or down (I took 5L up and didn’t need to treat any water).

We made it up to the keyhole on a completely dry route and those conditions were consistent through the ledges until the trough. Trough was easily the worst part simply due to the length of it. Everyone on longs was careful about not kicking down rocks (and calling out any that fell). There was a few inches of snow lingering in spots, just enough to wet your boots). The narrows were not as bad as most make it out to be, there was only one time on a traverse around a boulder with my back to a 1000’ or so drop that I was remotely concerned. The ledges were completely dry. Homestretch was a little difficult due to it being the last part of an already strenuous hike, but the conditions were good.

We reached the summit by 10:00am or so and enjoyed some snacks and beverages before starting the descent. Descent went off without a hitch and I found that sliding down some of the faces on the trough was preferable to attempt a more technical downclimb and end up slipping anyways. We had an uneventful way down and aside from the wind picking up a touch around 2:00pm the skies were clear all day. We brought up microspikes and an ice axe but never ended up using them (except to pose with in the summit picture lol).

All in all a strenuous but perfect hike for the day. Like the title says this is my second 14er since coming here from lower elevation (previously living at around 900’ a couple months ago), with my first being Missouri peak.