8 replies to this topic

[DeeCeeM]

The following press release from the NPS regarding Rocky Mountain National Park contains valuable information and resources for those planning to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole route.

Rocky Mountain National Park rangers want those who attempt the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak to have realistic expectations of the challenges they will face to summit the 14,259 foot mountain. New informative materials, to help people plan and prepare for their climb, have been posted on the park's website since July. The updated information includes a brochure with photographs of the different sections on the route, twelve frequently asked questions and weekly conditions of the route.

When visitors access www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/longspeak.htm they will find a downloadable brochure showing the main sections of the route – starting at the Boulder Field and ending at the summit with brief text and photos. The brochure also includes numerous safety tips and essentials to wear and carry. In the Frequently Asked Questions section twelve of the most common questions are answered such as "How have people been injured or killed on the Keyhole Route?" "How many people should I expect to see on the route during the summer?" and "Do I really need to start at the trailhead before sunrise?" For the last few years, rangers have been posting the Longs Peak Conditions Report weekly during the peak season. The report illustrates conditions along the route with photographs. Visitors are encouraged to use the report only as a guideline since
conditions can change rapidly.

The Keyhole Route to the summit of Longs Peak, one of the most popular routes in Colorado, is an extraordinary climbing experience. This is not a hike. It is a climb, a classic mountaineering route that should not be underestimated. The route crosses enormous vertical rock faces, is exposed to falling rock, and requires scrambling on all fours. The route has narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs. Depending upon conditions snow and ice might be encountered any time of year. The terrain requires route finding skills and the ability to assess and adjust to unexpected or changing weather conditions. A slip, trip or fall could be fatal.

Safety is ultimately each visitor's personal responsibility. The most important part of any adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park is to plan and prepare for a safe return.

[dianeh85]

this is a excellent and a long time coming.

[foxfire]

dianeh85, on 13 August 2011 - 11:04 AM, said:

this is a excellent and a long time coming.

And Thank You Dixie!

Foxter

[DrCloud]

In some ways, it's remarkable that the NPS has kept the Keyhole Route open and available. After all, there must be all sorts of hungry torts lawyers out there who think of it just the way they think of unfenced swimming pools: an attractive nuisance. Of course, Uncle Sam is generally immune from lawsuits about such things, but, still...there's the hassle factor and all.

I just hope that this disclaimer/warning message isn't the opening salvo in a long-term strategy to close the mountain off to all but "qualified" (whatever that might mean) climbers. At least (I think) they'd have to hold lots of public hearings if that were in the cards for the future. HPH

[mathguy]

DrCloud, on 13 August 2011 - 05:32 PM, said:

In some ways, it's remarkable that the NPS has kept the Keyhole Route open and available. After all, there must be all sorts of hungry torts lawyers out there who think of it just the way they think of unfenced swimming pools: an attractive nuisance. Of course, Uncle Sam is generally immune from lawsuits about such things, but, still...there's the hassle factor and all.

I just hope that this disclaimer/warning message isn't the opening salvo in a long-term strategy to close the mountain off to all but "qualified" (whatever that might mean) climbers. At least (I think) they'd have to hold lots of public hearings if that were in the cards for the future. HPH

My two cents:

I did the Long's via the keyhole route for the first (and probably only) time last week, and I can attest that
it is one mother of a hike/climb (except for the likes of Big Al, Smudge, Mr. Jinks, etc., who I think were implanted
with alien DNA or something). Given the substantial number of people I saw on the day that I climbed
Long's (it was a Wednesday by the way; not a peak weekend day) and given the obvious wear and tear
on the trail (granite as smooth as glass in some places and the trough is just a mess), I wonder (fear?)
if the Park Service will feel compelled to resort to a permit system like they use for Mt. Whitney in
California.

As to the liability issue, I think there is a fundamental principle that individuals bear responsibility when
they choose to embark on a hike or climb that they know what they are getting into and they have some
reason to believe that they are properly prepared. Of course, as we all know there are plenty of people
who attempt Long's (and other challenging hikes) who are have no idea what they are getting into and are
completely unprepared. The Park Service is obviously aware of this and I think their wise advice about
Long's is a good faith effort to warn people of the difficulty of the hike. Of course the REALLY clueless
people won't read that anyway, but there's not much that one can do with that group.

[Twinebender]

mathguy, on 13 August 2011 - 05:53 PM, said:

My two cents:

I did the Long's via the keyhole route for the first (and probably only) time last week, and I can attest that
it is one mother of a hike/climb (except for the likes of Big Al, Smudge, Mr. Jinks, etc., who I think were implanted
with alien DNA or something). Given the substantial number of people I saw on the day that I climbed
Long's (it was a Wednesday by the way; not a peak weekend day) and given the obvious wear and tear
on the trail (granite as smooth as glass in some places and the trough is just a mess),

I concur with your observation, the granite being worn so smooth in places must be very dangerous when wet. When we climbed Longs last year the trough did not appear to be at all like it was in 2007. In 2007 there seemed to be a general trail up and it was like climbing up rocks that had been in place for a long time, last year, it was as if JD Greene had taken his tractor and pulled a disc up and down it. In many areas, there appeared to be wide swath of fresh (damp) dirt that was evidence of stones being rolled and turned. I feel a bit funny about making such an observation seeing how I've exposed myself to the world as a clumbsy ox, but that is my observation.

[Rhonda]

You are anything BUT a clumsy ox, Rick.

[mathguy]

Twinebender, on 13 August 2011 - 08:07 PM, said:

I concur with your observation, the granite being worn so smooth in places must be very dangerous when wet. When we climbed Longs last year the trough did not appear to be at all like it was in 2007. In 2007 there seemed to be a general trail up and it was like climbing up rocks that had been in place for a long time, last year, it was as if JD Greene had taken his tractor and pulled a disc up and down it. In many areas, there appeared to be wide swath of fresh (damp) dirt that was evidence of stones being rolled and turned. I feel a bit funny about making such an observation seeing how I've exposed myself to the world as a clumbsy ox, but that is my observation.

In the trough (going both up and down) I saw several youngsters (by which I mean "less than 30 or so") slipping and sliding
on loose dirt and scree. One planted himself on his butt quite nicely! Point is I think everybody feels a bit clumsy there
(I certainly did).

[Aaron]

Thanks for posting this, Dixie!

--Aaron