Longs Peak Summit!

Longs Peak

First 14er attempt/summit!

I recently climbed Longs Peak in Colorado. It's 14,255 feet above sea level, with roughly 5,000 feet of elevation gain. It's also 7.5 miles each way. It is rated as "difficult" because of the altitude, exposure, and a few somewhat technical sections. I'm happy to say that my friend and I were able to summit it on our first attempt. We did pass people on the way up, on to a respectable time of 4 hours and 41 minutes from trailhead to summit.

The first 3 are taken in "the trough"; It's very hard work climbing up a loose 40% average grade.

Danny climbing near the bottom of "The Trough"

Looking up at the exit to the trough section



Looking down on "the trough" from the top





Looking Northwest from the top of the trough.



Looking West from "the Ledges" section at Mt. Pagoda

Looking South from "the ledges" area towards the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area



Danny navigating the crux of "the narrows" section.

Danny on "the ledges" section



Danny resting at the end of "the narrows" section

"the homestretch"



Danny getting ready to top out on Longs Peak



Looking NW on the summit, which is as big as a football field.

Looking SW from the summit.

We are happy to summit! We dont' even know these people.

 Awesome mountain, great route, and a fun time! I will be back to this awesome place. I felt like this was a huge accomplishment being my first 14er. Our success was due in part to our extensive training, and also the great weather and early start.