Longs Peak- The Loft Couloir

Longs Peak denies me again. This time it wasn't weather or exhaustion that turned me around, but a boot blowout that kept me from the top. I tried the Loft couloir route since it is less popular than the easier Keyhole route. 



The blowout that turned me back. These boots are over ten years old and saw many miles of trail. Is it time to buy new boots?

On our way to camp with Longs Peak behind us. It's good to camp on the mountain since the hike is very long and strenuous.

 This is Mount Meeker and Longs Peak with the snowy Loft couloir in the middle.

 This was our route up the Loft couloir. We made it to the second snow field before my boots said, "No!"

A loose and sketchy couloir with a high risk for rock fall. We saw some rocks the size of our heads fall off the cliffs and tumble down the talus. A fist sized rock tumbling at those speeds will kill you if it hits you in the head. I wear a helmet on climbs like the Loft couloir.

 A fat, fuzzy marmot that was sleeping on the rocks. They are cute, but they will steal your socks and your food from your camp.

 Moving up the Loft couloir about 30 minutes before the blowout.

 Looking down the Loft couloir and at our trail to the couloir.

 This is the beautiful rock face of the Diamond with it's many technical climbing routes.