In 2006 I made a single-day run on the summit of Longs which didn't go so well. Though we made the top, we missed the view, and during the descent I was more wet and cold than I ever wanted to be. It's been pretty clear to me ever since that this mountain deserves a rematch, and after two years under 14,000 feet I had the chance to make it happen.
My roommate Ryan secured a camping permit for the Boulderfield as one of his many National Park weekends, and invited me along. This helped break up what's otherwise a really long day. To keep things interesting, Christine and I attempted to make the top by dawn. We crawled out of the tent at 3:30 and were on top right after sunrise at 6:45, the first people to summit that day.
Elk Herd on the way to the Boulderfield. Trail ridge in the background
12 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/200s f/11.0 at 30mm iso200
View of the diamond at sunset from our camsite on the Boulderfield
12 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/60s f/5.6 at 44mm iso100
Christine
12 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/80s f/4.5 at 33mm iso100
Christine and I left camp at 3:30am and began climbing in total darkness. We had reached the Narrows by the time we could see without headlamps.
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/8s f/4.5 at 28mm iso800
On top at sunrise, 5:45 am
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/125s f/7.1 at 56mm iso200
Longs' shadow (and mine)
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/80s f/7.1 at 41mm iso200
Haze from wildfires in California
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/100s f/8.0 at 33mm iso200
Christine with GORP paid product placement
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/125s f/10.0 at 47mm iso200
Awesome dude brings juggling gear to the summit
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/320s f/11.0 at 17mm iso200
Climbers in the trough
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/100s f/5.6 at 85mm iso200
On the summit, about to head down
13 July 2008
Canon Rebel XT
1/320s f/11.0 at 17mm iso200
We passed Ryan and company, on their way up, at the Narrows