I remember doing Longs, definitely not my first 14er and had experience with class 3. We passed a group of young women from Texas who had never hiked a 14er and wanted to check one off their bucket list. We summited and once we got back through the key hole two were hyperventilating having a panic attack and they hadn’t even gone through the keyhole yet. They were still on the easiest part of the hike with no exposure and couldn’t even handle that. So many people die on longs because they have no experience and don’t do their research. Long is NOT a hike, it’s a class 3 climb at the top. Pick a different 14er, they’re all amazing and there are so many that are much easier and safer!
No doubt. I was hiking last weekend to lost lake in Nederland and almost everyone didn't have micro spikes and half the trail was still snow. One guy had sandals on. I can't imagine the thousands of amateurs that go up Pikes peak with no experience. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents to be honest, but its probably because most of them get afraid or quit halfway which is a good thing.
Great video explaining some of the dangers of high altitude mountains. Hypothermia is the number one killer in the wilderness. I personally took the Wilderness Trekking course with the Colorado Mountain Club, and they have other more advanced courses available like wilderness survival and first aid, backpacking, scrambling, climbing and winter camping. It's sad that people don't pursue taking mountain courses with wilderness educators anymore where all the things you talked about are covered.
I’m at 54/58 with summits in calendar winter and 3/4 of the state’s grand traverses. Longs is unique. The standard route with just a little ice becomes very dicey and outclasses its “class 3” rating. Its proximity to Denver makes it one of the “fly trap” 14ers that Front Rangers flock to. It’s trailhead is extremely accessible. It’s in a National Park which means it’ll always be found first by many people who may not know about 14ers but know there’s a cool mountain in the National Park by Denver. I believe it draws in the masses and inevitably some are going to die in their attempt. It’ll always be like that.
Very informative. I totally agree with the advice on smoking on technical hikes. Not really the place to partake. The higher altitude intensifies the effects of drinking and smoking and can increase altitude sickness. 🤙🏻
Nothing wrong with doing a different route up/down as long as you prepare for it. When I did Longs for the first time I did the Loft Route up and Keyhole down, but I had planned on doing that from the start and studied both routes beforehand. Where people get into trouble is when they change plans mid hike or try to take shortcuts off route.
Thanks, hope it helps some people cause accidents happen all the time. I just got home from a hike and almost no people had micro spikes on the trail which was covered in snow halfway up.
Not a bad idea to have a paper map and a compass and know how to use them. Relying on electronics...not ideal in an emergency. Cold can drain batteries also.
For sure. I forgot to mention that but its the best idea. Not only do phones go dead but people lose them all the time. The old fashioned way is the best and won't go dead. Compass is must too.
I remember doing Longs, definitely not my first 14er and had experience with class 3. We passed a group of young women from Texas who had never hiked a 14er and wanted to check one off their bucket list. We summited and once we got back through the key hole two were hyperventilating having a panic attack and they hadn’t even gone through the keyhole yet. They were still on the easiest part of the hike with no exposure and couldn’t even handle that. So many people die on longs because they have no experience and don’t do their research. Long is NOT a hike, it’s a class 3 climb at the top. Pick a different 14er, they’re all amazing and there are so many that are much easier and safer!
No doubt. I was hiking last weekend to lost lake in Nederland and almost everyone didn't have micro spikes and half the trail was still snow. One guy had sandals on. I can't imagine the thousands of amateurs that go up Pikes peak with no experience. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents to be honest, but its probably because most of them get afraid or quit halfway which is a good thing.
Great video explaining some of the dangers of high altitude mountains. Hypothermia is the number one killer in the wilderness. I personally took the Wilderness Trekking course with the Colorado Mountain Club, and they have other more advanced courses available like wilderness survival and first aid, backpacking, scrambling, climbing and winter camping. It's sad that people don't pursue taking mountain courses with wilderness educators anymore where all the things you talked about are covered.
Thanks, I hope some of this can help. Sooo many novices out there in many dangerous areas that could use things like wilderness training.
I’m at 54/58 with summits in calendar winter and 3/4 of the state’s grand traverses.
Longs is unique. The standard route with just a little ice becomes very dicey and outclasses its “class 3” rating. Its proximity to Denver makes it one of the “fly trap” 14ers that Front Rangers flock to. It’s trailhead is extremely accessible. It’s in a National Park which means it’ll always be found first by many people who may not know about 14ers but know there’s a cool mountain in the National Park by Denver.
I believe it draws in the masses and inevitably some are going to die in their attempt. It’ll always be like that.
Very informative. I totally agree with the advice on smoking on technical hikes. Not really the place to partake. The higher altitude intensifies the effects of drinking and smoking and can increase altitude sickness. 🤙🏻
Thanks. No doubt smoking fun at campground but not good for peaks.
Great video and advice! My Garmin InReach is always with me!
Nice. I need to take my own advice and decide which one to get soon.
Nothing wrong with doing a different route up/down as long as you prepare for it. When I did Longs for the first time I did the Loft Route up and Keyhole down, but I had planned on doing that from the start and studied both routes beforehand. Where people get into trouble is when they change plans mid hike or try to take shortcuts off route.
Good info
Thanks, hope it helps some people cause accidents happen all the time. I just got home from a hike and almost no people had micro spikes on the trail which was covered in snow halfway up.
Amazing 😍
Not a bad idea to have a paper map and a compass and know how to use them. Relying on electronics...not ideal in an emergency. Cold can drain batteries also.
For sure. I forgot to mention that but its the best idea. Not only do phones go dead but people lose them all the time. The old fashioned way is the best and won't go dead. Compass is must too.
RIP Adventurers 😢