17 replies to this topic

[Weaver]

Well, I've been asking different things about Long's Peak anticipating our trip to RMNP this July. We (several of us) plan to attempt Long's weather permitting. A few of us have made it to the top before, but we do have some newbies. The one newbie I am most concerned about is my daughter. She has heard me talk about this mountain since she can remember and really wants to try. She is a mere 10 years old, however. My first time to the top was at the age of 12 (I think I cried in misery most of the way down). I haven't actually made my decision as to whether or not she can go. Does anyone have any words of wisdom, thoughts, whatever, concerning this idea?

[junkie]

What hikes has she done so far? Has she summitted anything else?

I have a 9 year old. This year I considered us trying to make it to the boulderfield or keyhole just as a precursor to a full longs attempt at some point (who knows when) in the future.

[waterrat]

Subjective topics like this are hard to answer, but here goes:

Honestly, I wouldn't try it until she has done something of similar length. I've never been up Longs, but I have done hikes of similar length (15-16 miles) that wore me flat out, and that was "only" 2400 feet of gain.

If she's been to another summit, and loves to hike she may be ready. If not, I would recommend a lesser peak on the divide as a starter (Hallett, maybe) and see how she handles it. Tell her, though, that it is impressive to hear about that kind of drive from someone her age. I was very active, but there is no way I would have walked 16 miles in one day when I was her age.

Just my You know her better than any of us do, and I am flat unwilling to say that no 10-year-old can hack it. I saw two kids, 12 & 10, with their dad on the trail to Sky Pond; they were going rockclimbing on Sharkstooth, with ropes, ice axes and everything, and they started from the trailhead 4 miles away that morning.

Good luck! I'm sure you do this already, but whatever you decide, take lots of pictures! My son is just 5, but he loves looking at the pictures of the hikes we have already done.

[CDeb]

Maybe a suggestion would be to have an experienced hiker (someone who has summited Long's before) be her "partner" and be willing to turn around with her if it is too much.

She also may be a little young to understand her limits and the need not to go past them. People focus on the physical maturity needed for this climb, but in the words of Yogi Berra, "Half of this game is 90 percent mental."

[retlod]

I wouldn't take her until she has proven she can hike a similar length and can handle at least a thousand feet of elevation gain. Though I don't know your child specifically, kids this age have a hard time imagining how tired they might be and how miserable they'd be if they're stuck somewhere and can't get back. In short, they haven't lived long enough to know their limits. I don't even think using a partner would help, as the average kid would be unlikely to save enough energy for the walk down and would stop halfway through the boulder field and say "I'm tired and I can't walk anymore." Then what?

Maybe I'm just pessimistic.

[Andy]

I agree with everyone so far, but there are many pieces of information you haven't given us. What elevation do you live at? Will you be acclimatizing before your attempt, and on what and for how long? What has your daughter done in the past?

Really what makes Longs tough are two factors (a) elevation gain and (b) distance - both mileage and time. I think I'm a pretty fit person and it takes me 10 hrs at a steady pace. For someone not so fits, or a young person with short legs and immature musculature/cardiovascular system you'd probably be tacking on several more hours. Is your daughter capable of hiking for 14 hours straight (ignoring the altitude/elevation gain)? If so then I think it wouldn't hurt to try. I'd probably start at midnight. A high camp in the Boulder Field might be a good idea for acclimatization.

If you're not sure about her, then I'd set out for a more modest/achievable goal - say Mount Lady Washington. If unsuccessful you'll obviously be glad you didn't try Longs. If successful she'll get the awesome view of The Diamond, North Face, and Keyhole, and will have that much more drive for the real thing.

Edited by Andy, 10 May 2005 - 01:28 PM.

[smudge]

great responses everyone...Waterrat & Andy..great input.

Again, it depends on her. Last time I did it I pretty much went all the way up (from the Boulderfield and on) with a seven year old and his dad...but he had been hiking since he was a baby and summited Chiquita when he was five as his first mountain. He kept up with me and his dad just fine. It's all relative. If she has never hiked before...I'd probably go against an endorsement for Longs Peak..... break her into the culture of hiking. I'd hate for her to have a bad experience on Longs and get the assumtion that climbing mountians is all just like that. My dad did that to me with russian boar wrestling...never done it since..and it's such a beautiful sport anyway...we'd all love to hear what comes of this and how the trip goes!

[Aaron]

My dad did that to me with russian boar wrestling...never done it since..and it's such a beautiful sport

What a shame

--Aaron

[ProfHall]

Thanks, smudge...I have been waiting for the smudgefactor to return to the forums, and here is my treat for this morning!

Back on topic...I think (boy, is that a HUGE caveat here!) that smudge's point about not ruining future willingness to hike is a big consideration. And, from the other real experts, their points about prior experience and ability to "go the distance" sound very well-thought-out.

Good luck with whatever hikes you do...time in the park with kids can be as good as it gets. Enjoy, and post pictures when you get back!

[TempestT-37]

I don't even think using a partner would help, as the average kid would be unlikely to save enough energy for the walk down and would stop halfway through the boulder field and say "I'm tired and I can't walk anymore."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is very true. Here are pixs of our youngest when he got tried, he was four.

[TempestT-37]

On the way up to Chasm Falls he got tried, on the way down he fell asleep.

[DeeCeeM]

Poor baby!

Or should that be poor dad?

--

[lovethemtns]

Last year my then 11 year old son was very tired after doing Sky Pond and Mills Lake. (Okay, I was tired too). He is also an extremely energetic kid, doesn't sit still too much. But then again we are flatlanders (587 feet above sea level to be exact) and really only get out to do any hiking on our yearly summer vacation. (Isn't that sad, only being able to hike great trails once a year?)

I like what someone said about having someone that would be able to turn back with her. Or else be prepared to take many breaks along the way. Camping at the Boulderfield sounds good. Break the trip up.

As I read your original post Weaver I see this quote:

My first time to the top was at the age of 12 (I think I cried in misery most of the way down).

It seems that trip made an impression on you? Do you remember the feeling of summitting or the misery of descending?

I think someone else suggested trying another summit first. Then if that works out okay, then maybe you could do Long's later in the trip. There are so many beautiful summits in RMNP.

Just my

[Marvman]

Kids can sleep in the strangest places/positions....

My first climb when I get to the park will be that big step up onto the boardwalk for some
GRAND LAKE ICE CREAM*.

Marvman
(* haven't seen the name in print enough lately, let's keep our priorities straight people!)

[misssilly]

I LOVE those pictures of your son Tempest! They are too cute. And I bet your daughter, Weaver, would love any of the summits. After all, what's not to love???


On a side note, Greeneyes, did I ever do that - fall asleep on the trail? he he he

Jen