Long's Peak Mountain Guides
Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Group Events, the "Keyhole" of Long's Peak
and spectacular Hiking all in Colorful Colorado.
Keyhole Recommended List of Equipment
(We may ask to inspect these)
We may have extras. Please do not let this list deter you from hiking
with us just let us know your needs.
| FEET Footwear (This description is specific to the Keyhole hike in the summer. Other hikes may encounter more snow) Good footwear that is comfortable over varied trail and rock terrain is essential for a happy day on Long's Peak. This can mean anything from tennis shoes to heavier boots. I'd ideally recommend light and comfortable hiking shoe/boots with sticky rubber soles if possible. Whatever you choose they must be broken in! The requirement of 50 miles of hiking in boots does not apply to lighter-weight leather boots or hybrid fabrics, which are what I'd recommend an occasional hiker to buy anyway. Have footwear that fits your feet. If they don’t fit they are not the right boots. Spend time in your boots/shoes before you arrive. Bring appropriate, quality products with some "get used to" time on the trail beforehand are the key to fun. Wearing work boots, Sorrells, or other inappropriate or borrowed footwear is an invitation to disaster. Please don’t buy heavy leather boots just before this peak that don’t have at least fifty (50) miles of hiking in them before we start. It is not important to spent lots of time waterproofing your boots. Moisture is not normally an overwhelming problem on the Keyhole route in summer. The snow is mostly gone by the time it is open to non-technical hikers so don't agonize over getting steamy hot heavy boots and overly waterproofing them. |
| Socks – 2 pair (bring one spare pair stored
in a sealed zip-lock bag) An essential part of the boot system, socks can make you happy or miserable accordingly. Please no cotton! When cotton gets wet they stay wet. If you have cotton socks they will most likely encourage hot spots that lead to blisters. Rag wool socks can be too itchy and encourage blisters. I recommend a merino or alpaca wool sock. The wool fibers are long and thin that eliminate the itchiness of wool. Wool being a natural fiber is excellent at moisture management and heat control. If you are used to wool being hot and itchy you will be amazed. Wool sock brands: Smart Wool, Dahlgren, and Wigwam (they have a 2pack of the “comfort hiker” that is a little better deal). Another option would be to use socks made of synthetics that are found in Thorlo, and Wigwam. Either synthetic or wool these socks are so excellent there is no reason not to have them. |
| Hiking Attire Much could be said about the appropriate clothes to wear. Most importantly: dress in a layering system and please no cotton! Cotton when it gets wet, it stays wet. It is a leading contributor to hypothermia and general misery even after a brief encounter with precipitation or sweat. There are three major layers to have outer layer, mid/warmth layer, base layer. You will be surprised at what you have in your closet. Look at some of your workout clothes. |
| OUTER LAYER: (Hooded Rain Gear) Effective rain gear is as important for a hiker's safety in the mountains as is a rope for a climber. The important thing is that it is really waterproof! Don't worry about cost as a $5 poncho will keep you dry and do the trick. Gore-tex rain jackets, or shells, can be very expensive (starting at about $250) but they are breathable and extend your comfort for not overly sweating inside them. There are now many versions of fabrics that perform similarly that are less expensive (Marmot makes the Precip Jacket for about $100). The current trend is moving towards increased breath-ability while remaining essentially waterproof. If you are outdoors a lot a nice shell might be an appropriate investment but for Long's Peak anything will work that covers you and is really waterproof. I have been on hikes where other people pull out NFL jackets as raingear and got dangerously soaked. Just because it is nylon does not mean it is waterproof! |
| Mid/ Warmth Layers TOP: Lightweight fleece or wool sweater is ideal. It will keep you warm even when wet. Do not even think about wearing a cotton sweatshirt. Statistics show that it is warmer to be naked than wearing wet cotton. |
|
BOTTOMS: Pants/shorts |
| Base Layers Base layer is a fancy way of saying Long Johns. Have base layers that wick moisture away and dry quickly. Bring a second base layer shirt to change into up higher after the first one is soaked and let that air dry out on your pack. Some good options are Patagonia Capeline, Duofold (they do use cotton is some of their products so read the package), Smart Wool (soft wool next to the skin). There are lots of products made out there so read the package. Short sleeve top is nice to have because it will warm up on us. |
| Day Pack Simply something sturdy with a size adequate to carry all the things on listed here comfortably. Book-bag size is appropriate. Fanny packs are usually not adequate. |
| Water Bring two quarts minimum. Fancy "roll-up" bottles are nice. I sometimes bring a filter for more water up higher but these have failed before. Don't drink the water out of the streams or anywhere! If you like sports drinks consider replacing the sugary versions of powdered Kool-aid or even Gatorade with something healthier. Go to your local heath foods store and find what has electrolytes. Have at least one quart of real water. |
| Cold Stuff Bring a warm hat and gloves. Gaiters are useful if there is snow. |
Energy Snacks |
| Food Bring a healthy and adequate meal though many people lose their appetite at this altitude. Nothing fancy needed PBJ has worked well for years. |
| Sun Bring a sun hat with a good brim. 40+ spf sun block minimum and lip balm is necessary and sunglasses. |
| Headlamp/flashlight For the early beginnings. Flashlights will work just fine; headlamps allow your hands to be free. |
| Hiking Poles Some clients like to bring their own. Ski poles work great. |