Today was a PERFECT day. I had tried to summit this peak in the winter a few times before. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. But the route in the guidebook (the summer route) goes up talus which then turns in to SUV sized boulders that get covered in ice. Making it a sketch fest in the winter. But I eyed this route from the road. go a bit to the north then take a snow climb up and hit only 4 foot rocks at the top. It was a bit steeper than I had expected and no pics of that part! Left the house in the snow and I could not see the peaks in the cirque . {} P4150003 by Joe, on Flickr Then the wind went crazy and cleared out the clouds, which was great, you know except it was windy! {} P4150010 by Joe, on Flickr Before it got steep. {} P4150014 by Joe, on Flickr The Diamond of Longs Peak {} P4150028 by Joe, on Flickr Summit Selfie at 13,300' {} P4150057 by Joe, on Flickr Looking back at the summit on the way down. {} P4150064 by Joe, on Flickr Thanks for looking, it was a super fun day out. -Joe
I would like to reply with something witty, but it is just too hard to get other people organized these days. 20 years ago a few phone calls were made and we mobilized. Now a flurry of texts end with excuses and plans are made for dinner with our significant others instead. And that's cool too, just a different adventure. -Joe
Nice job! I climbed this via "Martha" coming up from Chasm Lake maybe two winters ago, and because I was unsure of the descent I ended up dropping down the ridgeline to chasm view/ boulder field. The extra mileage made an already long day into a real sufferfest. That Long's Peak trail always feels like it's 50 miles long to me on the hike out. Thanks for sharing.
