Climbing Longs Peak - 5 Tips For a Safe, Enjoyable Experience Climbing Longs Peak
If you are thinking about climbing Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, congratulations.
It is a very popular climb because it is nontechnical (does not require ropes, or other fancy equipment) and it is a "fourteener" with a peak over 14,000 feet.
In this article I will go over 5 tips to help you have an enjoyable and safe experience.
This is a long, arduous ascent on a high, real mountain.
Prepare When we started planning to climb Longs Peak we prepared all winter by walking forty minutes on the treadmill three days a week.
We hiked all day on Saturday or Sunday every weekend carrying what we planned to take on the climb.
We did resistance training the other days and took one day off to rest.
For resistance training I did several versions of pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Your routine may be different, but it is crucial to prepare.
It is recommended that you stop training one week before your climb to be in peak condition.
Keep stretching, though, and keep your muscles pliable.
Take sufficient water You should take at least a gallon of water and sip it frequently.
Remember the idea that it is better to pre-hydrate than to rehydrate.
Carry this much water on your training hikes to get used to the weight.
Water also helps with the effects of altitude.
I used a camel pack, but a couple of 2-quart canteens on a web belt will work.
More is better.
Leave early in the morning One of the most important things to plan is to get on and off the peak by about 10:00 AM because of severe thunderstorms in the Rockies during summer months.
They come rolling in pretty much everyday about 11:00 AM.
This is considered a major factor by all mountain climbers.
The one-way distance to the summit on the Keyhole route, which is the most popular nontechnical route, is about 7.
5 miles with an altitude gain of about 5,000 feet from the ranger station trail head at 9,400 feet.
You probably want to be on the trail no later than 4:00 AM, or earlier.
We left at 1:00 AM because we are not the fastest hikers in the world.
We were just barely off the top by 10:00 AM and got caught in a storm on the way down.
Go slow Professionals recommend that you start slow and if you think you are going a little too slow, go slower.
Professional mountain climbers say that you can use up to three times the normal amount of energy by starting too fast when you feel fresh.
You will need your energy on the way down! Respect the altitude If you start feeling the effects of altitude fairly seriously, you should remain alert to your condition and consider coming back down right away.
Sip water often.
You might also consider going to Rocky Mountain National Park a few days ahead of your climb and take some easy hikes to acclimatize.
The park has hundreds of miles of beautiful, scenic trails.
Accidents happen on the way down because of being tired and letting your guard down.
I would also suggest reading about the trail in any of several good books about Longs Peak.
You should also contact the ranger station at the park ahead of your trip to make sure the route is open.
We got there in the middle of July and the rangers had just opened the route the previous day because part of it was still iced over near the top.
Have a wonderful trip! Climbing Longs Peak was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
It is a very popular climb because it is nontechnical (does not require ropes, or other fancy equipment) and it is a "fourteener" with a peak over 14,000 feet.
In this article I will go over 5 tips to help you have an enjoyable and safe experience.
This is a long, arduous ascent on a high, real mountain.
Prepare When we started planning to climb Longs Peak we prepared all winter by walking forty minutes on the treadmill three days a week.
We hiked all day on Saturday or Sunday every weekend carrying what we planned to take on the climb.
We did resistance training the other days and took one day off to rest.
For resistance training I did several versions of pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Your routine may be different, but it is crucial to prepare.
It is recommended that you stop training one week before your climb to be in peak condition.
Keep stretching, though, and keep your muscles pliable.
Take sufficient water You should take at least a gallon of water and sip it frequently.
Remember the idea that it is better to pre-hydrate than to rehydrate.
Carry this much water on your training hikes to get used to the weight.
Water also helps with the effects of altitude.
I used a camel pack, but a couple of 2-quart canteens on a web belt will work.
More is better.
Leave early in the morning One of the most important things to plan is to get on and off the peak by about 10:00 AM because of severe thunderstorms in the Rockies during summer months.
They come rolling in pretty much everyday about 11:00 AM.
This is considered a major factor by all mountain climbers.
The one-way distance to the summit on the Keyhole route, which is the most popular nontechnical route, is about 7.
5 miles with an altitude gain of about 5,000 feet from the ranger station trail head at 9,400 feet.
You probably want to be on the trail no later than 4:00 AM, or earlier.
We left at 1:00 AM because we are not the fastest hikers in the world.
We were just barely off the top by 10:00 AM and got caught in a storm on the way down.
Go slow Professionals recommend that you start slow and if you think you are going a little too slow, go slower.
Professional mountain climbers say that you can use up to three times the normal amount of energy by starting too fast when you feel fresh.
You will need your energy on the way down! Respect the altitude If you start feeling the effects of altitude fairly seriously, you should remain alert to your condition and consider coming back down right away.
Sip water often.
You might also consider going to Rocky Mountain National Park a few days ahead of your climb and take some easy hikes to acclimatize.
The park has hundreds of miles of beautiful, scenic trails.
Accidents happen on the way down because of being tired and letting your guard down.
I would also suggest reading about the trail in any of several good books about Longs Peak.
You should also contact the ranger station at the park ahead of your trip to make sure the route is open.
We got there in the middle of July and the rangers had just opened the route the previous day because part of it was still iced over near the top.
Have a wonderful trip! Climbing Longs Peak was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
