Longs Peak

Long’s peak is the closest 14,000 peak to Boulder. At 14,259 feet, it towers above the surrounding peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. Staci, Fred, Kevin, Evelyn and Rich climbed the easiest route, the Keyhole route, in August 2020. Although the Keyhole route is popular and crowded on weekends, it isn’t an easy climb. It is moderate class 3 with a lot of exposure and risk from rockfall and weather.

The fires in the west were very bad the summer of 2020. We were concerned about the smoke as we started but got lucky with the wind and didn’t have to deal with much smoke on the climb.

Early morning Elk heard near Jim’s Grove.

Heading across the tundra to the boulder field.

The early morning view of the east face of Longs Peak is always spectacular.

Looking up at the Keyhole at 13,200 feet where the boulder field ends and the last 1000 feet of climbing begin.

Looking out at the North face of Longs, which is another popular climbing route.

Evelyn and Kevin surveying what’s next after the Keyhole.

Starting out onto the ledges after the Keyhole.

Staci on the ledges.

The Narrows.

The summit.

The summit of Longs Peak is flat and the size of a football field.