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 Peak:  Longs Peak
 Route:  Keyhole Route
 Range:  Front
 Posted By:  Logan5280
 Date of Info:  11/19/2023
 Date Posted:  11/19/2023
Condition Update

Attempted Longs today, but I turned around at the Keyhole as a storm rolled in. The forecasts couldn't agree on the weather for today, and it seems like the more pessimistic ones were correct. As I reached tree-line, a pretty intense wind started to cause issues, and then clouds started rolling in once I reached the boulder field, greatly reducing the visibility. At the keyhole, the visibility was near zero, with knock-you-off-your-feet winds. I took a quick break in the shelter there (it offers amazing wind protection), before descending. The visibility improved slightly as I left the boulder field, but I was still glad to have turned around. The ascent to the keyhole currently ranges from a dusting of snow on trail, to knee-deep wind drifts, to trapdoor snow. From the minimal amount of the ledges I could see, they seemed to be in okay condition with crampons, but it was difficult to tell. I stopped at Chasm Lake on the way down (final headwall to the lake is currently a sheet of ice) as a consolation prize, which was well worth it in dramatic snowy conditions.


#1) Dawn just below Granite Pass#2) Sunrise at Granite Pass#3) Low visibility in the boulder field#4) Icy keyhole#5) The ledges#6) Hiding in the shelter#7) North face as the clouds cleared slightly#8) At Chasm Junction#9) Chasm Lake


Comments or Questions
SionaRW35
User
Woah!
11/19/2023 5:24pm
That sunrise is dynamite!


Will_E
User
Those pics
11/19/2023 6:17pm
Are spectacular! Nice work!


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