Hike & Climb Long's Peak

Long distance trail runners do a lot of power walking. By popular request, this is a good opportunity to build your power walking stamina on a long-distance, high altitude hike and scramble up Long's Peak. The first and last 5 miles of this event are intended to be a hike, not a run, though those who wish to run are welcome to do so. The upper portion of the route is a mega-classic, class 3 mountaineering climb. Those who do not wish to do the climb are still welcome to join for the hiking portion (10 miles round trip), or detour to scenic Chasm Lake instead (11 miles round trip). Check the criteria below to decide whether attempting the peak is a good option for you.

Most of our events are "rain, snow, wind, or shine." This one is not and may be cancelled due to weather, which is fickle in late September. Please check for any cancellations or other messages before departing to the trailhead.

• Distance: About 15 miles round trip for the peak.

• Elevation Range: 9,400-14,225

• Gain/Loss: +/- 5,100 feet.

• Cost: No cost to participate, but there may be costs to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. Entrance is free for those who have a valid National Parks Pass. Otherwise, the cost is $20 per vehicle for a day pass. Please offer to contribute if you rideshare with a driver who pays the entrance fee. You can pay the fee in advance here: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/76969868

• Dogs?: No, sorry. While we normally welcome dogs, Rocky Mountain National Park does not allow them on the backcountry trails.

• Parking and Ridesharing: Ridesharing is highly recommended as this is a very popular location and parking can be difficult to get, even on a Tuesday.

• What to Bring: Clothing layers for warmth and an outer shell on top and bottom for wind/rain, hat, gloves, headlamp with extra batteries, sunscreen, lip balm, food, lots of water and water treatment (though there may be no place to get water on the route), and a pack to carry it all. A helmet is strongly recommended. Microspikes can't hurt, though it is doubtful we will find conditions well-suited for them.

Criteria for Attempting the Peak with this Group: Everyone is welcome to attempt the peak, and nobody will be left behind for obvious reasons, but it may not be for everyone. Long's is considered difficult among Colorado 14,000 foot peaks. Please decide for yourself if this is something that is right for you using the following criteria:

• You have previously climbed above 14,000 feet with little or no adverse health effects.

• You currently have the physical fitness to hike 15 miles, with 5,000 feet of gain and loss, at high altitude, with a lot of slow, difficult scrambling.

• You are reasonably comfortable climbing across narrow ledges and on class 3 terrain, which is sometimes wet, snowy, and/or icy, with significant fall exposure. Falls are infrequent, but nearly always fatal.

• You are not too afraid of heights, though you do have a healthy respect for what a fall from such heights will do to a body.

• You are ready to climb with the group and provide assistance to anybody who needs it, whether or not they are part of the group.

• You are willing to turn around and abandon the climb, or leave the group and continue entirely on your own, if the group leader makes a call to abort the climb for any reason (weather, conditions, concern for the health of a member of the group, etc.).

Plan for a long, fun, exhilarating, and exhausting day. The 4 am start time is about ideal to mitigate the risk of afternoon thunderstorms while reaching the technical sections of the climb right as it gets light enough to see. Despite the early start time, plan for an all-day event.

Feel free to message me in advance with any questions.