| If you are thinking about climbing Longs Peak in | | | | summit on the Keyhole route, which is the most |
| Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, | | | | popular nontechnical route, is about 7.5 miles with an |
| congratulations. It is a very popular climb because it is | | | | altitude gain of about 5,000 feet from the ranger |
| nontechnical (does not require ropes, or other fancy | | | | station trail head at 9,400 feet. You probably want |
| equipment) and it is a "fourteener" with a peak over | | | | to be on the trail no later than 4:00 AM, or earlier. |
| 14,000 feet. In this article I will go over 5 tips to help | | | | We left at 1:00 AM because we are not the fastest |
| you have an enjoyable and safe experience. This is a | | | | hikers in the world. We were just barely off the top |
| long, arduous ascent on a high, real mountain. | | | | by 10:00 AM and got caught in a storm on the way |
| Prepare | | | | down. |
| When we started planning to climb Longs Peak we | | | | Go slow |
| prepared all winter by walking forty minutes on the | | | | Professionals recommend that you start slow and if |
| treadmill three days a week. We hiked all day on | | | | you think you are going a little too slow, go slower. |
| Saturday or Sunday every weekend carrying what | | | | Professional mountain climbers say that you can use |
| we planned to take on the climb. We did resistance | | | | up to three times the normal amount of energy by |
| training the other days and took one day off to rest. | | | | starting too fast when you feel fresh. You will need |
| For resistance training I did several versions of | | | | your energy on the way down! |
| pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups. Your routine may be | | | | Respect the altitude |
| different, but it is crucial to prepare. It is | | | | If you start feeling the effects of altitude fairly |
| recommended that you stop training one week | | | | seriously, you should remain alert to your condition |
| before your climb to be in peak condition. Keep | | | | and consider coming back down right away. Sip |
| stretching, though, and keep your muscles pliable. | | | | water often. You might also consider going to Rocky |
| Take sufficient water | | | | Mountain National Park a few days ahead of your |
| You should take at least a gallon of water and sip it | | | | climb and take some easy hikes to acclimatize. The |
| frequently. Remember the idea that it is better to | | | | park has hundreds of miles of beautiful, scenic trails. |
| pre-hydrate than to rehydrate. Carry this much water | | | | Accidents happen on the way down because of |
| on your training hikes to get used to the weight. | | | | being tired and letting your guard down. I would also |
| Water also helps with the effects of altitude. I used | | | | suggest reading about the trail in any of several good |
| a camel pack, but a couple of 2-quart canteens on a | | | | books about Longs Peak. You should also contact the |
| web belt will work. More is better. | | | | ranger station at the park ahead of your trip to |
| Leave early in the morning | | | | make sure the route is open. We got there in the |
| One of the most important things to plan is to get | | | | middle of July and the rangers had just opened the |
| on and off the peak by about 10:00 AM because of | | | | route the previous day because part of it was still |
| severe thunderstorms in the Rockies during summer | | | | iced over near the top. Have a wonderful trip! |
| months. They come rolling in pretty much everyday | | | | Climbing Longs Peak was one of the most rewarding |
| about 11:00 AM. This is considered a major factor by | | | | experiences of my life. |
| all mountain climbers. The one-way distance to the | | | | |