Congrats on trying something different and making it work - that's not easy on Longs' complicated terrain. What a tough summit day, and the hike out from Black Lake is a lot when you're exhausted! Your unique trip seems well worth the additional suffering.
This is a very informative and helpful TR! With all the people who climb, or attempt, Longs each year, good information on anything but the Keyhole route is hard to come by. Along with the great pictures, your description is a big service to anyone considering alternatives on Longs--like me! Sorry it cost you so much grief, but congratulations on hanging in there.
It’s great to hear that it helped. I understand your problem. When we were looking for alternate ways on Longs we ran into the same thing; a lack of information.
This is a nice route in the winter, though there are some different obstacles: bush-whacking through several miles of deep snow and then steep snow above the couloir--still preferrable to the loose rock you encountered. Great report--well-written and a good read! Nice pics, too!
You've written a great trip report and I'm glad to have discovered it. Your pics are all really helpful, particularly the ones with the routes marked on them. You've got a knack for writing, keep up the good work.
Layne Bracy - Sep 26, 2006 7:01 pm - Voted 10/10
Excellent report/pics!Congrats on trying something different and making it work - that's not easy on Longs' complicated terrain. What a tough summit day, and the hike out from Black Lake is a lot when you're exhausted! Your unique trip seems well worth the additional suffering.
swm88er - Sep 27, 2006 3:36 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Excellent report/pics!Thanks, the climb was hard, but we had a lot of fun. It’s one of the prettiest hikes I have been on.
cftbq - Oct 2, 2006 6:54 pm - Hasn't voted
"A" for effortThis is a very informative and helpful TR! With all the people who climb, or attempt, Longs each year, good information on anything but the Keyhole route is hard to come by. Along with the great pictures, your description is a big service to anyone considering alternatives on Longs--like me! Sorry it cost you so much grief, but congratulations on hanging in there.
swm88er - Oct 2, 2006 8:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Re:It’s great to hear that it helped. I understand your problem. When we were looking for alternate ways on Longs we ran into the same thing; a lack of information.
Brad Snider - Oct 2, 2006 11:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Great Report!This is a nice route in the winter, though there are some different obstacles: bush-whacking through several miles of deep snow and then steep snow above the couloir--still preferrable to the loose rock you encountered. Great report--well-written and a good read! Nice pics, too!
swm88er - Oct 4, 2006 11:14 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Report!I can imagine that bush-whacking in the snow would be difficult, but I’m sure the basin is absolutely beautiful in the winter.
Brad Snider - Oct 8, 2006 11:21 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Report!This basin is beautiful year-round, as your pics show! Truly a great place to visit in RMNP.
Dean - Oct 30, 2006 2:21 am - Voted 10/10
Good stuffYou've written a great trip report and I'm glad to have discovered it. Your pics are all really helpful, particularly the ones with the routes marked on them. You've got a knack for writing, keep up the good work.
swm88er - Oct 30, 2006 3:24 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Good stuffThanks that’s nice to hear, I’m glad it was helpful.
ClassFour - Nov 30, 2010 3:08 pm - Hasn't voted
I was considering this route......not anymore.