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As we started up Granites pass around Mt Lady Washington, my friend started to get sick, the altitude not setting well with him. We slowed the pace, took frequent breaks and made sure he kept drinking enough water. By the time we hit the boulder field, right at sunrise, it was apparent that he was going to need a lot of time before moving again. Taking a break near the bathrooms, Jeanette was elated that there were bathrooms. After she showed she was ready and excited to continue on.
She then posed next to a boulder with Longs behind her.
Posing near the Boulder Field bathrooms.
Zack attempted to gut it out after the break and we continued on up through the Boulder field. The climb turning steeper, we soon found that his altitude sickness was not going away anytime soon. We got him settled in the hut at the keyhole and waited with him for awhile. Jeanette relaxed on the stone bench while we talked with other climbers.
Finally he decided that he was not going to make summit but that he was feeling well enough to hang out there while my daughter and I took a shot at it. I could feel his frustration at not being able to continue but his decision was the smart one. Making sure that he had plenty of food and water along with some Advil, Jeanette and I departed from the hut.
Scrambling up into the keyhole surprised me as I had forgotten how smooth the rock is there, but only a few seconds of slipping and we were up and over to the ledges. Once again, I had forgotten how unique, amazing, beautiful and dangerous the ledges are. My daughter discovered right off the bat an interesting rock formation, taking a seat for a photo.
An interesting rock formation
This was her first class 3 climb, one that I felt positive she could do if she had the mental toughness for it. She proved to listen to direction, paid close attention to her footing and most of all; I think she has me beat on the mental toughness. I wasn't encouraging her to continue on, she was encouraging me to continue on. I couldn't be more proud, I hope the attitude she displays in the mountains continues on through to all aspects of her life.
Trucking along the beginning of the Ledges
I made sure to stay to the outside of her where I could on the Ledges, or have her wait while I positioned myself to help her through some sections.
A photo op on the Ledges to show how dangerous they really are
I do remember the trough from my first summit of Longs, and it was every bit as daunting to look up at this time as it was then. Jeanette didn't even seem to mind that she was about to start the steepest climb she had ever done.
This is where she learned to watch her footing for two reasons, one, to prevent a fall and two, to prevent rocks from rolling down on top of other climbers. I have seen many adults who never seem to pay attention to this. Even for an 8 year old, the trough is tough and we took several little breaks on the way up.
After what seemed like a very long time, we were nearing the top, and the infamous chalk stone.
Maneuvering for the top of the trough
Once we arrived at the base of the chalk stone, I had to brain storm on how to get Jeanette up it. She found good hand holds, not sure how really but she did and I came up right under her, using my knees for her to push off with her feet. A painful but affective process. Before reaching the top, I warned her to sit tight once she got there because of the sudden cliff looming on the other side. She at least waited until I was beside her before she lay down on her belly and peered over the edge. One of the many friendly climbers we talked to today took a photo for us at the top of the trough.
At the top of the Trough above the Chalk Stone
On to the Narrows, this in contrast seemed far safer than the Ledges. It was much easier for me to make sure she hugged the mountain while I stayed to the outside of her. Of course I had to get a photo of her standing on the Narrows; it’s just a fun shot to show people.
Standing on the Narrows
We blazed through the Narrows for the most part, stopping to let other climbers by.
Then came her first doubt once we reached the Home Stretch.
Looking up at it for the first time can be intimidating, but she soon overcame any fear with curiosity and the knowledge that she was so close to the top. Up she went, following directions from me as she progressed.
On up the Home Stretch.
Not too far into the home stretch, a group of climbers who we had run into on the trail were on their way down from the summit, and having remembered her name were cheering her on and encouraging her. Excited but not remembering them in the dark, she was kind of quiet about it at first. As she passed them though she was all smiles. The Home Stretch being far easier than it looks (at least in contrast to the Trough) we made the summit fairly quickly.
She was first up and as she came into view of most of the people already up there, she began receiving praises and comments from all kinds of climbers who knew she was on the mountain and on her way up. Word spreads much faster than I could have imagined on a mountain but it was very fun to see her reaction to all the attention. A couple other climbers took photos of us with our camera and iPhone which I greatly appreciated. It’s not every day I get to summit Longs Peak with my 8 year old daughter (the youngest of 4).
Jeanette and I on the Summit of Longs Peak
We signed the Summit Register which looked like a RMNP pamphlet. So we picked a clear spot on the paper and put down our names with her age. We went on over to the Chasm Lake and Mills Glacier overlook and took a break.
She was soon offered some fruit chews from a woman, and of course she couldn't refuse such a snack (what 8 year old could). Another guy was eating a Chipotle Burrito on the peak, making my stomach grumble in jealousy. And off to the side of us was a group of Chinese Tourist having a lot of fun getting their photo taken with a little sign they had made. Jeanette and I explored the summit for a bit, before heading back down.
Jeanette on the Summit of Longs Peak
I had her stay on the uphill side of me on the way down the Home Stretch, which she seemed to find to be great fun. Back through the Narrows without incident and then the dreaded Trough. We found another route down the chalk stone and a gentleman helped me get her down. Then came the down climb, followed by the sensation that my knees were going to explode. It was very slow going. At one point we came upon an injured climber, his knees and shins scrapped up and bleeding. We offered assistance but he insisted that it was just a scratch. I can't force people to accept my help but I did not like leaving the guy sitting there bleeding. No matter how minor the injury at altitude, it can turn ugly real fast. Reluctantly we pressed on to the Ledges. Those were painful in the fact that you have the combo of up climb and down climb. By the time we reached the keyhole I was seriously wishing for some Star Trek teleportation device to get me back to the car. No such luck.
We found my friend Zack sitting in the sun next to the Agnes Vaille Memorial Hut. He looked a lot better after having had 3+ hours of rest.
We took another break before heading down through the Boulder Field, allowing Jeanette to refuel with some more food and water for about the 50th time. No wonder she has so much energy. Down climbing off the Keyhole through the upper part of the Boulder Field proved to be just as hellish on the knees.
I took one last shot of Longs Peak from the Boulder Field before hitting the restrooms before the long hike back to the car.
Once through the Boulder Field the path is like a beacon, you can't miss it, and we were off.
Just over the other side of Granites Pass, Jeanette started running down the trail, her excitement over what she had just achieved still bubbling up within her. She would run for about 40 yards and then stop and wait for us, repeating this process all the way down. It was hell on our legs trying to keep pace with her but we managed with minimal breaks. We made fairly good time at this point, my brain on auto pilot, as were my legs. We took one last break at the creek that runs right up next to the trail closest to the trailhead. Finally reaching the Rangers Station, I signed us out on the Trailhead log and after a grueling but awesome 13 hours and 45 minutes on the mountain, we were off. One final treat on our way out to HWY 7, a huge herd of Elk along the side of the road on both sides in the trees. The bulls were in velvet which is always fun to see.
