Death on Longs Peak, Colorado (It Could've Been Me)
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- I wasn't going to make this video, but with the recent death on Longs Peak, I thought I would talk about my failed attempt to summit this 14er. I hope this experience benefits others and helps to prevent another tragedy.
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I climbed Longs Peak four times in the 1990s, back before we had the ability to film our adventures. I was clueless and, frankly, cannot believe I made it up and down four times. I did the Keyhole Route all four times (in one day, each time) and I'm glad to know that cautionary videos like this one are out there now. It's great to see the scenes again, because the technology to capture it just didn't exist back when I did it. Phew.
I also made it to the top four times. Like Jesse, I got sick at the top during my first hike to the summit. I vomited the first time on the top. I vomited three more times as I descended as quickly as I could without wasting any energy.After arriving home, my doctor prescribed DIAMOX. It made a world of difference! Despite reaching the summit four times, I have discouraged my adult children from hiking to Longs Peak Summit. So far, none of them have made an attempt.
Bringing a buddy is one of the safest thing a person can do. Glad you guys got to safety.
Thanks, it was pretty scary for my wife
I made it to the narrows and got so scared- turned around. It haunts me and ive gotta go back to make it to the summit. When youre ready to try again ill go with you guys
I'm relieved you both made it back okay, and feel bad for the guy who didn't make it. If anything, the main lesson to me would be, listen very carefully to your body and your intuition about what you can and can't do (of course knowledge helps a lot too in such circumstances). The dangers I face are usually when caving, so I have a rule that when I am in any doubt about possible real dangers, I don't take the risk. I rather miss something very cool than regret that I tried.
Yes indeed listen to your body, nothing is worth paying the Ultimate price for. Sometimes we walk a fine line but always err on the side of caution.
A cautionary tale: I was a Colorado native (17 years), a 10k runner and day hiker when I attempted Long's
Keyhole route with a friend who went to the top. I always battled fear of heights, but WITH my friend I had unusual courage and pressed through the ledges into the trough. (I was NOT trying to summit.)
As I returned solo to wait for him at the Boulder field(a bad idea due to lighting danger) I was forced to confront a re-emerging fear. Also we were taking too long, and it was 4 p.m before I returned to the keyhole.
Clouds rolled in VERY fast bringing Heavy snow (obliterating most of the targets) If not for one other man who helped me through a skechy spot with rebar , I'm convinced I would have fallen there. His hand caught me across the chest as I came down too fast
through a spot where you need to be able to lower your body weight SLOWLY. I was a thin, fit runner, but
my mind was succumbing to mountain sickness.(a ranger later told my friend that, and to get me off the mountain while my tired friend was contemplating camping in the Boulder field. I thank the VOICE in my head that yelled STOP..GO BACK...CLIMB! when I was making bad choices. It was
late august, (I was 34.)be wise I 🙏.
Solid move on the turnaround brother🤝 one thing I know, mountain ain’t goin anywhere, there’s always another day… bummer you couldn get past the keyhole, that’s when it gets awesome… safe travels and happy trails✊🏽
You got that right!
Thanks for sharing! I also have unfinished business at longs peak! It's the only mountain I've ever turned around before getting to the top. It's good that your friends helped you turn around. I tried diamox prophylactically for Mount Rainier and I think it really helped me to summit. My story at Long's peak is too long to explain but he was pure instinct/ or revelation that I had to turn around. I didn't know why at the time, since the weather was clear. But like 3 hours later, a huge storm swept in with lightning and heavy rain at the top of the mountain. Had I not turned around I would have been stuck up there at the most dangerous part of the hike. It was actually exactly 10 years ago yesterday. I'm now in Las Vegas and itching to return and get to the top.
I am so glad that you made it back ok. What an angel of a wife that you have for getting you through this.
Yes indeed 🙏
Rocky Mountain national along with Roosevelt and Arapahoe… all extremely dense bush. You have swamps, floodings, inclement cloudy and rainy weather, cliffs, rockslides, avalanches. These are all very real and present danger. Then you introduce wildlife.
I love the mountains so much.
Sorry you that happened to you. Longs Peak is a pretty tough hike. When I did it in 2018 I spent a couple of weeks in the area doing other hikes before I took that one on I'm glad you recovered.
Hey thanks Keith. Just checked out your channel, congrats on your amazing journey man!
@@JesseStLouis Thank you so much for the kind words and checking out the channel. I hope one day you make it back to Longs and see the summit for yourself. It is quite amazing up there.
😳 wow Jesse! Glad you are ok! Thanks for sharing your experience 🤗❤
Thank you for sharing this scary experience with us. This helps a lot everyone who needs to know which places may be dangerous. Sam is a strong-minded person. She managed to take you both out of that scary situation. I am glad to hear that you and Sam are okay 🙌🏼
The best adventures are the ones you come back safely from. I was there last August 2021 and I did not summit, but enjoyed the alpine lake below. I saw the notices and thought it was too much for a 51-year old man. One of these days, I need to start sharing all my adventures. Thanks for sharing.
Unless you're being foolish or tend to fall while walking, Long's is not dangerous. Being foolish includes starting too late, not watching the weather, being ill equipped for cold/hot/wind/rain and summit fever. Long's is a fun, thrilling and unforgettable ascent but altitude sickness can hit anyone that goes up there.
Wind gusts have been recorded at 200 mph at the keyhole. Weather changes within minutes up there. Being foolish is saying Longs Peak isn't dangerous. This is the biggest troll comment I've ever seen. Longs peak is dangerous to even the most experienced climbers. That's why the signs are posted everywhere. There's literally a 2.5k ft vertical drop after the keyhole. Do not spread this misinformation that could possibly harm someone.
@@randil3208 Do you tend to fall while walking? I said what foolishness on Longs is. Don't do those things and you'll be just fine. Stats show you have about 0.008% chance of a deadly accident. That's better odds than driving to the trailhead. I stand by my statement. Pay attention, don't be foolish, and Long's is tremendous fun and not dangerous. Thousands of rote amateurs climb it every single year, but you make it sound like some sort of death sentence. The biggest paranoid alarmist comment I've ever seen.
@@randil3208 Standing bare-foot in a wet bathtub is dangerous, that is why we always tell people to BE CAREFUL. Yes, it is well advised not to attempt the Narrows when it is raining, but on a dry, warm day it is safe for anyone capable of walking a straight line. You can practice walking on a street curb since the fall is only 6 inches. As for the warning signs...we now have warning signs on everything to protect stupid people from themselves, and protect manufacturers from sue crazy attorneys.
@philiphill6697 what about the 23 year old guy who just died on it. He was a very fit athlete who fell.
Just did it last week and I completely agree. Have to be pretty careless to fall to your death.
Having spent many years in the Colorado mountains, the idea of flying in from sea level and trying Long's Peak just boggles the mind. And I've seen people do it in the Himalayas! You cannot acclimatize in 3 days.
It's always best to play it safe and turn around if things aren't going well. The mountains aren't going anywhere and you can always try again.
I'm so glad you turned around❤
Me too 🙏
I've never heard of HACE, thanks for doing this video - it's important information! Glad you both made it back OK
Thanks
Glad you made it back okay and didn't senselessly push on!
Even living in Colorado it seems like you need at least a couple of weekends of acclimatizing before a hike like this. At least for me, I'm in my 40s and not an elite athlete by any stretch.
You also have to start really early. If you aren't leaving a trailhead before sunrise you're going to have a bad time. Basically you can expect the weather to change rapidly starting in the early afternoon. That even includes snow.. I've definitely seen it lightly snowing in mid July while at 14K.
Anyway, hope you're able to come back sometime and give it another go!
There's currently a 23 year old marine who summited mother's day and disappeared. I came here to see some of the Peak, I live 45 minutes away but will never attempt it out of fear. Thank you for showing us a glimpse of that crazy terrain, and thank goodness you knew when to turn back. I'm so glad you guys made it home safely. Hopefully sweet Lucas is able to do the same ❤
🙏
What "crazy terrain"? He didn't even make it to the boulder field or Keyhole. The "crazy" stuff all begins there. There is nothing to fear, at least up to the Keyhole. You should go simply for the stroll and views. The Keyhole is a gathering spot for a multitude of afternoon adventurers - lots of kids and teens. Beyond the Keyhole I saw families and 19 yr old girls in hot pants. Get off your sofa and live a little.
@@aliensoup2420 I said a glimpse you jackass, reading comprehension must not be your strong suit.
He passed from a deadly fall going towards chasm lake@@aliensoup2420
Glad you made it out of there alive, and thank u for sharing
Thanks for watching!
If you live all the time in Florida, that is a big strike against you being able to do Longs. I live at 3,000 ft in WNC and when I go to Colorado wait four or five days to try something above 12,000 ft. There is an adage ... climb high, sleep low. Take day hikes and go as high as you can tolerate but sleep at a low altitude to recover. Dexamethasone is actually speed ... a very powerful stimulant. Diamox will help if you have pulmonary edema or cerebral edema to get you to a lower altitude. It is not a preventative. You made a great call. Cerebral edema can kill quickly. Good luck with your next try. PS: A good test/training hike is the Flattop Mountain Trail above Bear Lake.
Turning back was the right move. Listen to your body when it tells you somethings wrong. You can always return another day.
I can see Long's Peak from my house. Another safety measure is to go with someone who has climbed the peak before. That may be hard to do, but I suspect there are people who will guide you for a fee or you can find a group online that may be willing to take you with them.
Holy shit, dude: that's super scary. And you DO know what the message is - "Turn around while you still have a chance!" Obviously, what makes it even scarier is that you were unaware of what was happening until it was too late - thank Nature that Sam was there! I've almost killed myself by accident a few times as an adult, and it's an experience that you have to fully absorb and learn from. So glad it all worked out. Take it easy you guys. Luv all of your vids, always (specially Sam's animal close-ups!).
Yeah it sure was a scary situation. So grateful that everything worked out!
So glad you guys are okay!. Also glad you shared this vid. We camped in mammoth this last spring wow. I also got altitude sickness no hace thank God but I just feel like so many people don’t know about that it. Ive since read more about it. So fascinating. We drove past mt. Whitney on the way home 😅😅😅😅😅
I climbed it 3 times north face in winter a training climb with a climbing team.then the key hole route.be aware. Good climbing.
Longs Peak: BEWARE!! It is not easy!! There are many other 14ers in Colorado that are far easier. Ex. Gray's, Bierstadt, Quandary, etc. If you have a fear of heights, I highly recommend not doing Longs. I have a fear of heights and could not progress beyond the "Keyhole" on Longs.
Me too! I was spent! Long's is an intense climb. I listened and paid attention to what others were saying (about people who had died on Long's), and I knew I didn't have it in me to go through the Trough and the Narrows, and I knew I still had to climb all the way back down the mountain. I have no regrets. It was an accomplishment for me to get through the Keyhole. And here I am to tell about it. :D
Kia ora Jesse and Sam, so glad your ok jesse, turning back was the obvious and correct decision made, proud of you for showing us this video great insight into what can happen when tackling altitude, and as always your trusty partner in crime (Sam) there for you, the buddy system always essential, take care guys much love from new zealand🤙🤙🤙
🤙🙌thanks John!
Oh man am happy u are safe and ok please be curfuil .....good u bouth ok....and it was wise frome u to not clime and retern safe ..brother u make me panic .....happy agien to see u safe and Sam too ....it was wounderful video ....thank GOD bouth of u safe .....in Arabic الحمد لله على سلامتكم
🙏thanks Bangeen
From what I’ve read, as of 2021, 76 percent of the 71 people who died on Longs Peak fell to their deaths (that includes 15 people who died while attempting technical climbs on the East Face)-of course, there’s no way to know how many of those deaths were associated with some kind of health episode instead of just a slip. Eight people died from hypothermia, six from heart attacks, and three from lightning.
When I was a little younger, I traveled from Louisiana to Colorado four times to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, always in early August. I turned back at the Keyhole the first time I attempted Longs Peak because it was cold and windy and because of a report from hikers that there was ice in the Trough. The other times, the weather was good, and, within a day or two of my arrival at Estes Park, I hiked up Longs Peak in a single day. One time I had a headache that was probably altitude related, but I took an aspirin and managed OK. The last time, in 1993 (when I was 47), I had a brief panic attack on the way down as I prepared to step across a boulder that has a spike driven into it as climbing aid. Light rain had made the rocks wet, so I was afraid I would slip. But, apart from that moment, I always had confidence that I could negotiate the path indicated by the red and yellow bullseyes painted by the Park Service to mark the right way along ledges and the final rock scramble to the top.
Altitude sickness is so transient and unpredictable You can be fine one day and have it the next at the same altitude with the same activity levels. Eat lots of protein the day prior and drink lots of water.
Glad you two are safe aqua Jesse
I liked camping at boulder field and summiting the next day. Glad you are OK! I went on a 10 day trip in Colorado and day 3 was difficult for some others with altitude concerns.
Sounds like insufficient altitude conditioning, or lack of hydration, or maybe you simply had an off day. My first experience with altitude fatigue was hiking the Mt. Whitney trail to Trail Camp at 12,000ft. I drove straight from Los Angeles and hiked the same day. I started feeling the altitude at around 10,500 - 11,000ft. My feet and legs felt like they were made of lead. I didn't get sick, but really dragged down. My second trip into high altitude was a couple years later on the Mountaineer's Rt. to about 12,000ft. That did not affect me as much, even though it is a more rigorous hike. The year after that I got serious and hiked 3 peaks over 10,000 ft to condition for Whitney, and still felt the fatigue. But the summit to Whitney was not as hard - tiresome, but not sickening.
I went for Longs Peak after a few more years of peak bagging. 2 days before Longs Peak I did a 20 mile 10,000ft hike in the Tetons of Wyoming suffering no ill effects. I don't recall feeling any altitude affects on Longs Peak besides general weakness and fatigue, but that is easily managed by a proper pace and intermittent rest stops - and hydration. Strangely, I did another summit hike to Mt. Whitney only a few weeks after Longs Peak, but felt the altitude much more. Again, it can amount to body rhythms being off, or maybe the difference in the stresses of the trail. I suppose these are all things to be considered when planning a hike, but most of all you have to do many similar hikes to know your abilities and limits.
I was going to say hydration also, because it’s easy not to drink enough water, especially when you’re in the mountains. He also may not have eaten enough either.
I was going to say hydration also, because it’s easy not to drink enough water, especially when you’re in the mountains. He also may not have eaten enough either.
First of all, I would never attempt the Longs Peak Summit by staying overnight in the Boulder Field. The steep trail at this elevation is hard enough when carrying only water and snacks. Besides, imagine being in a 3-4' tall rock circle with cloud to ground lightning surrounding you during the night. It would be absolutely terrifying! I have hiked to the summit four times... all "day" hikes that started at 3am with a flashlight and extra batteries. Like you, Jesse, my body doesn't process thin air efficiently. The first time I hiked to the summit, I did a week of hiking and sleeping at progressively higher elevations since I live in Minnesota at 900' above sea level. I had heard, through my research leading up to the hike, that acute altitude sickness is a possibility. That is why I tried to acclimate. What I did was not enough. While on the home stretch, I noticed a slight headache. Then shortly after arriving on top, embarrassingly, I sat down behind a rock as best I could and vomited. I knew I had to get down as quickly as possible. I started down immediately and tried to conserve my energy as much as possible. Like you, I felt like I was a zombie, just stepping from rock to rock, boulder to boulder, one step at a time with very little wasted motion. I stopped to vomit just below the keyhole and then two more times above the tree line as I continued to descend as fast as I could with little wasted motion. It was hard to drink water. I had to force myself to drink. Even sucking on a Jolly Rancher seemed out of the question. I reached the bottom and still felt exhausted. I had to nap while family members were having a grand time. After getting home, I went to my doctor and he prescribed DIAMOX. I took it prior to my second attempt at the summit. WOW! What a difference it made! On my third trip to the top, I thought I was acclimated using DIAMOX because I was able to hike to the top of a couple 13,000 peaks without issue. So I stopped taking DIAMOX the day before the hike. BIG MISTAKE. Once I got to the Boulder Field I wasn't feeling well. I tried to push through but ended up turning around at the Keyhole. When back down, I started taking DIAMOX again. The next morning, my wife and I tried again. No problem! I learned that DIAMOX may speed up acclimation, but it can fool you into thinking you are acclimated ... but aren't. My fourth trip to the summit went uneventful because of my continuing DIAMOX...BUT, while descending, a blood vessel within my right eye burst. It appeared as though inky black fingers were inside my eye. I suspect stress or straining at the high elevation caused the blood vessel burst. Slowly, the blood dissipated and my vision was restored. SO, YOU AREN'T THE ONLY ONE VOMITING FROM ACUTE ALTITUDE SICKNESS while seeking Longs Peak Summit. Although I made to the top four times and my wife two times, we discouraged our four adult children from making the voyage. So far, none of them have attempted Longs Peak Summit... although two of them went to Chasm Lake with us once while teens.
I’ve always want to summit it and have had my share of chances but my asthma has progressed over the years so I’ll never get my chance again
Long's peak is the deadliest mountain in Colorado because it is the most climbed mountain in Colorado.
So many mistakes it's hard to know where to start.
Keep going 🤘🌲
Good call 🤙
Takes way more than 3 days to climatize. Body has to make more red blood cells and that takes time.
Locals every year have a guess at how many tourists will die on Longs. Macabre but true. Too many underestimate the difficulty or over estimate their ability. There are plenty if other 14ers, though maybe not as majestic, to try first. If you are set on peak bagging Longs, give yourself more time at elevation. Not Denver as that’s a few thousand feet below Estes. I’m talking stay in Leadville (10,000+feet) for a few days. Then come up north to Estes. Also watch after the keyhole as the trail is well worn and the rocks worn smooth. Slippery when wet yes but even on dry days.
Good advice, thanks
A young man is missing right now 😢
I hope he's OK 🙏
he was found dead. “A significant fall was involved” but cause of death is unknown. Maybe hypothermia finished him
He was found dead
Dehydration and being out of shape is the culprit
Agree. Dehydration probably aggravated the HACE symptoms. Dehydration sneaks up on you. Everyone is different.
altitude is an element unto its own. water, food, pills, are all basically irrelevant if you haven't actually spent time at that altitude in your recent past. every 500 to 1000 feet is to be respected and never expected
Agree with the many comments suspecting dehydration as contributing, especially when water scarcity makes one tend to conserve. Overpack water; also blood thinners like aspirin, cayenne, and ginger are helpful.
Though it can be a reluctant decision after all the logistical effort to get yourself there and the psychological eagerness to reach the heights, it was very wise to turn back. This is considered CO's most deadly mtn not because it presents the biggest objective hazards, but because it does present considerable hazards, and, most crucially, it is very, very trafficked. And much of the traffic is folks who bring various discrepancies in preparation, whether physical, logistical, or educational. It also definitely takes something to admit the mistakes you may have made, and describe the experience so that others might learn from it. To that end, many people might be well-advised to watch videos like this one before they attempt this. I have gotten myself into some precarious scenarios on CO. peaks, but it's valuable to piece together how it happened and hopefully learn from it. Best of luck if you attempt this again, and one idea, in addition to reaching good cardio shape and leanness, would be to do an easier high mtn climb beforehand, like Bierstadt or Quandary or something. Happy trails!
Thanks for your thoughtful comment and I appreciate your suggestions
Not easy it's work.
altitude sickness dude!!
Yes indeed
It’s what?? :)
If I were you, I'd just stay in the Ozarks.
😂
You over dramatized it, you would not have died at this elevation. If you were at Everett camp 2 then maybe. Maybe your body isn't meant to be at elevation??? I live at 9300+ feet in elevation (32+ yrs)...so I think I can speak with some degree of knowledge. Did you drink plenty of water? Doubt it, because you mentioned you didn't have enough.
I don't think you fully understand HACE. Blacking out and vomiting due to elevation is very serious and signs that the brain is swelling, which can leas to death. What did I over dramatize?
Colorado Native and barely did half the bar trail 😂
I'm confused by your comment. I'm not a Colorado native.
@@JesseStLouis well it wasn't about you
@@JesseStLouispretty sure he’s talking about himself bro
🤣
I hear the downhill half is easier, lol! Don't feel bad, Barr is a beast.