The rugged mountains and granite formations of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado send a siren song to climbers of all types, offering traditional alpine climbing, big wall, bouldering, snow and ice, and mountaineering opportunities. However, climbing within the park is not something to be taken lightly. The key to a successful climb experience is careful planning and preparation.

Longs Peak

Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park / NPS file

While ascending 14,259-foot (4,346-meter) Longs Peak is not the only climbing goal, it certainly is one of the most popular. Every summer, thousands summit (or attempt to summit) the mountain via the Keyhole Route. This 15-mile (24-kilometer) roundtrip trek is a classic mountaineering route and not a hike in the traditional sense, although you will be hiking along the Longs Peak Trail for the first 5 miles to Boulder Field. From there, you will need scrambling and mountaineering skills and equipment.

Climbing up Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park / NPS file

According to Park Staff:

• It is a climb that crosses enormous sheer vertical rock faces, often with falling rocks, requiring scrambling, where an unroped fall would likely be fatal. The route has narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs.
• For most of the year, climbing Longs Peak is in winter conditions, which requires winter mountaineering experience and the knowledge and use of specialized equipment. Disregard for the mountain environment any time of year has meant danger, injury and even death.
• The Keyhole Route can experience winter-like conditions at any time, requiring greater skill and judgment. Be prepared to turn back during sudden, drastic weather changes.
• The high elevation may affect your condition and judgment. Careful descent is the best treatment.
• Don't have summit fever: Enjoy the experience, but be willing to turn around at any time.
• For those who are prepared, the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak, one of the most popular routes in Colorado, is an extraordinary climbing experience.
• For important information on the Keyhole Route, please reference the Route Brochure and Keyhole Route: Frequently Asked Questions, see our Longs Peak Conditions Report and High Country Hazards pages, or contact the Rocky Mountain National Park Information Office at 970-586-1206.

Bouldering

Bouldering in Rocky Mountain National Park / NPS file

Longs Peak is not the only climbing prospect in the park. Ever heard of bouldering? It’s a form of free climbing performed on small rock formations without the use of ropes or harnesses. Most climbers use climbing shoes to help their feet grip the surface of the rock, chalk on their hands, and bouldering crash pads to help prevent injuries from falls.

When bouldering, please remember to leave no trace and use minimum-impact climbing techniques.

• When walking to bouldering locations, stay on marked trails and social trails to avoid vegetation destruction and erosion. When not possible, travel on durable surfaces and rock.
• Avoid destruction and removal of vegetation while traveling as well as to clear a problem. Cutting down trees and shrubs is prohibited.
• Avoid moving rocks or logs to build up landings underneath boulder problems.
• Respect other visitors. Answering inquisitive questions about your crash pads politely will go a long way in maintaining positive relations between climbers and other park visitors.
• Keep noise to a minimum to maintain a wilderness experience for others. Please use headphones if listening to music.
• Brush off your chalk and tick marks when done with a problem.
• Chipping and drilling holds destroys the rock face. Avoid changing the rock to make the route easier. Accept nature on its terms.
• Motorized equipment is prohibited in wilderness. This includes motorized fans.
• Dispose of human waste properly. Use wag bags to pack out human waste.
• Check for micro-trash and pick up any litter before you leave the area.
• There is a voluntary closure in place for the Meadow Boulder in Upper Chaos Canyon. This closure ensures the fragile vegetation beneath this boulder can remain an important food source for pika and other animals that live in Chaos Canyon.

Note:  Stashing any climbing gear, including crash pads, is prohibited inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Any gear that is found will be removed and confiscated.

The remote, high-elevation alpine environment is fragile. Removing climbing gear, crash pads, and any litter help keep this environment intact and prevent wildlife chewing on such things as stashed crash pads, which in turn become micro trash and litter.

To help you plan your climbing adventure, you should be familiar with the park’s Climbing Regulations.

A climber above Frozen Lake in Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park / NPS file