Longs Peak | Solo Hike & Climb on Cables & Keyhole Routes! [4K UHD Cinematic]
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- Опубліковано 27 гру 2021
- This Rocky Mountain National Park Adventure was a true miracle! I never imagined I would have Longs Peak almost all to myself to make this epic climb up the Cables and down the Keyhole routes in totally unseasonably warm dry weather for Colorado's Rocky Mountains during early December. The warm conditions, a thin snow pack, minimal wind, and sunny blue skies all conspired to give me the opportunity of a lifetime and, I am so excited to share it! Seeing some climbing friends on the way down was another unexpected pleasure as was using a new song for this video, "Climbing for Your Life." Produced and sang by Elise, the co-star on LiveHardLoveHard, another great Adventure UA-cam channel, / livehardxlovehard . Both Adam and Elise have been great friends and supporters of mine as well, Thanks Guys!!!
One last super cool element, a dear friend and climbing partener of mine that is no longer with us took me up in her private plane years ago to tour the Park and photograph the many rock climbs I have done there. I used several photographs I took from that trip in this video. I miss you Walks and will never forget you!
Always exercise extreme caution and do solid recon for any long and technical mountain climbing route such as this. I used 14er.com to verify peak conditions and specifically the more technical cables route conditions as my first step to planning this adventure. MountainProject.com had a route descriptions with great photos that left little to chance. Finally, a vigilant eye on weather conditions allowed for perfect timing, it was quite windy the day before and after the day I climbed. Just getting to the start of the technical sections is a long hike with huge elevation gain, be warned. . . If you are prepared, the rewards are AWESOME! Also note Longs Peak is notorious for being very windy, another variable to research before committing to this climb, especially if it is not a summer time attempt. . .
Music:
Longing, The Traveler & What is and What Could Be by Punch Deck
/ punch-deck Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Discovery by Scott Buckley
/ scottbuckley Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Courage and Willpower by Keys of Moon
/ keysofmoon
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Climbing for your Life by Elise found here!!! / livehardxlovehard
Personally, one of my favorite videos of theirs is of them Climbing Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states. Beautiful cinematography and a cool story throughout that video!
DISCLAIMER: The Expedition(s) documented on this channel are for entertainment purposes only, NOT FOR Explicit Instruction or Route Execution. I have had MANY NEAR DEATH experiences and a couple serious accidents over 30 years of Backcountry adventures, the RISKS are very REAL. I do not recommend or encourage attempting the routes or strategies shown in these videos, and assume no personal responsibility if you choose to do a similar outing. As always, hike, bike and climb at your own risk. Know Your LIMITS and stay within them if you expect to avoid any accidents. even then. . . - Спорт
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Fantastic video. Climbed it in 1967 with my cousin when we were thirteen!!! We camped at a sight named Jacobs Ladder, then to the summit using the anchored one inch cables route. Just as we were about to summit some wiser adults told us to turn around because an electrical storm was approaching. When we got to the top we were alone and the static electricity made our hair stand straight out and moving our hands above us caused snapping sounds. Then the static pressure suddenly changed as it began to snow. Thank you for taking me back there. May you continue to enjoy Creation.
Thank you sir for sharing that great story!! All these years later, I am hyper focused on the weather before and during any adventure at altitude!!! Again thanks so much for sharing your thoughts 🙏🙏. Karl
I climbed the Cables route free in June of 1970 when they were buried in blue ice and only a little visible to know I was on route. Had an old style long ice axe which I used to cut tiny steps. didn’t know any better. Except my technique must’ve been fine because I made it back the same way in a near white out. No crampons just marvelous Meindl boots . I live in the past so thanks for your video. I have done longs several times since in less harrowing circumstances and the north face ones in winter. Regret I missed the experience of doing the diamond
With the amazing quality of these videos, They should be getting 10s of thousands of views.
Very much appreciated Tim! We're keeping it real, and the growth is following. Thanks 👍
Best video of Longs Peak climb ever!!!
Thanks man much appreciated!!
Stunning video! Thanks for filming this! My health will probably never allow me to do this hike/climb, so I love living vicariously through other folks' journeys. Stay safe!
Stunning video! My stomach was doing flips with some of the views. I attempted Longs Peak 30 years ago but turned around at the keyhole, being a flat lander, my legs were shot. My brother-in-law did summit. I should have spent more time at chasm lake, etc but headed straight down to meet up with others in our group who had turned around earlier.
Thanks, Richard, just getting to the keyhole is quite an accomplishment in allows for an amazing adventure IMO. Oh, I wish I wish I visited chasm lake myself, I’ve never been there, and being below the diamond face must be incredible! I highly recommend the desert for less strenuous yet still amazingly beautiful visitors, I enjoyed my last trip greatly. Please check it out, the video debut today. Cheers
The pre-climb visuals were great, loved the inclusive narrative, the whole package brought us with you every step of this popular destination 👍!! Thank you Karl...
My pleasure! I was so pumped up going down the Keyhole route knowing the shoot went so well and seeing even more amazingness from the ledges, wow! but by the time I was on lower trail, I was beat!
Once when I was on the top of Long's Peak there was some guy with a golf club, shanking golf balls off the Diamond Face. Not long after, a group of big wall climbers came up, one of them sayin, "OK, where's the a$$hole with the golf balls?"
Lol! WTF
Was this 2018? I was at the narrow and someone who was coming down said "can't believe people golf up there".
It’s consider littering. Haul out what you take in. Respect nature.
Wish I could have joined you on this one.Turned out amazing as always!! Those sunrise shots👌
I really enjoyed watching your video Karl. Thank you for sharing your adventure - beautiful and thrilling. I create outdoor videos myself and I know how hard the work is. I really appreciate the effort and work you put in to produce high quality films like this. Thx a lot. Best wishes, Mario
You really have a gift for climbing and videography. I've been binge watching your channel this morning. You have so much grace when maneuvering over knife edges. I've seen rocks begin to tip under your steps too. While watching this video on Longs, I heard a voice that's unmistakably beautiful, Elise. So great to read that you're friends with her and Adam. Looking forward to watching more of your epic climbs.
Thank you so much Vickie, decades of rock climbing & MTB has really honed my balance. Really excited to finally get into some nicer weather. Been really cold, wet and wind so far here in grand junction. Hopeful I’ll do a collaboration with live hard this season!
great video, sick shots!!! that cables route looks really fun!
I'm sure it would be LOTS more fun in the summer, it was cool but a lot like our climb on the Needle, very cold & icy, I wore neoprene gloves, and very polished, slick rock. It was definitely every bit 5.4 though with softer sticky shoes VS boots and bare hands I'm sure it would feel easier.
@@KarlDeckerPresents yeah I wouldn't try this in the winter, I was looking at your hands and was feeling the cold like on the needle
Thank you for sharing your trek to the summit of Long's Peak, along with the breathtaking Rocky Mountain views. What an incredible day to hike/climb it! Your filming, editing & narration is top notch! Glad we found your channel! 👍
Thank You Brother! The hard work and learning is finally paying off!
Awesome videography! What a blessing to have Longs to yourself. I've climbed it three times, the last time being on a solo winter ascent in February of 2005. It was the only day I didn't share the peak with anyone...but oh the snow and wind!!
Thanks brother, appreciate your kind words, and yes, I was very fortunate to have unusually good conditions for the time of year! Best of luck with your adventures, I'm very impressed 👍
A classic hike! Well done.
Thanks appreciate it 👍
How can this guy have less than 2K subs? There is so much garbage on YT with millions of subscribers.
Great videos!!
Thanks brother I appreciate the comment 👍
No T & A
I just stumbled upon your videos. Great content and informative. Thank you for taking the time to edit these down and share!
Thanks for watching!
Its so beautiful place..
Karl your videos are so inspiring and very effective! Please keep it up, great example.
Glad you like them! More to come trust me!
Very impressive video. You did everything right. I think you're a very talented producer, not to mention your climbing skills, which are obviously very impressive, and the narrative was excellent as well. Ya did well. Very well. I will be following your progress to greatness, but you won't have far to go. My compliments. regards, Dan
Thanks Dan, appreciate your kind words, very fulfilled to read this! Karl
Karl glad to have found your channel! I've been plowing through your videos recently- top notch adventures, editing, and filming! Keep it up man.
Appreciate that Kevin, especially the mention of editing! That aspect requires so much time, patience, and really becoming comfortable with so many tools to bring these together! Thanks for the shout out, and hope you're subbed...please share a couple of your faves with friends! KD
@@KarlDeckerPresents man I can only imagine the time on the editing! It's definitely what gives your videos that movie-esque feel! Appreciate it for sure. I'm all subbed up and spreading the word too, was watching some with my buddies today! Looking forward to many more!
Stunning visuals and a spectacular hike. You are such an amazing and dynamic individual. Thanks for sharing this and wishing you many such epic journeys.
Very cool to hear the appreciation in your comment, means a lot, keeps me going back for more!!
Great video and especially editing, keep up the good work. 🥾🥾
Thank you, I love polishing up some cool footage! I'm super excited for next spring as well, I've got a bunch of exciting climbs planned. . . and a couple from last season I'm also about to share
@@KarlDeckerPresents Keep up the good work🌲🏔🥾
Great shots and editing, super glad I found your channel
My Labor of love! I'm really excited to bring something really special next! Thanks for joining me!
You deserve WAY more subscribers
This video presentation is fantastic
Thanks Randy! Very much appreciated 🙏. We're growing very well, you can help by sharing this with a few friends who might enjoy our work! Thank you, Karl
Your videos are marvelous as usual.
Thank you for the nice words!
Great video Karl, really enjoyed this one! I have climbed the keyhole route several times, and some of your camera angles on the cable route made my palms sweat big time!
Me TOO! The Cables crux was very intense and for the gnar of it, I had to put away the cameras and have total focus. It was super polished/slick and I did not wear rock shoes, luckily really, since there was hard snow in some of the crack where kick stepping in with stiff boots was very useful. Great to hear from you Brother! Happy Holidays!
thank you for this amazing video you edits are perfect and well put together I'm thru hiking the Colorado trail this summer on my channel thank you for getting me excited for the Colorado outdoors just subscribed!!
Thank you brother, I love biking the CT near Denver but, I think you will find the very best of it further south, the San Juans are just Amazing! Did a few of my favorite climbs last summer down there, south of Ouray. Those video are posted if you're interested? Columbine lake, Vermillion Peak, US Grant and in the Ice lakes Basin was all spectacular. . . Excite to get back there myself!
Amazing stunning videography
Appreciate that David! 👍
Fabulous! Thank you!
You are so welcome! Appreciate you, Karl 👍!
Wow! Well done!
Well thanks, appreciate it! Feel free to share any/all of your favorites, Karl 👍!
Really enjoyed the video. Climbed the cable route several times during the summer of 1965.
Wow! Much more of an amazing feat at that time, in my opinion
@@KarlDeckerPresents The cables were in place back then. Also we never saw anyone else after starting through the boulder field. Never did the Keyhole route as it was longer.
Did do one climb on the lower east face, Stettner’s Ledges. The night before stayed in shelter cabin (not there any more) just above Chasm Lake. About six climbers there that night, one of which was Layton Kor. Everybody stayed up all night telling stories some involving giant killer marmots. It was a great summer.
I discovered your channel just a few days ago. I really enjoy your video work and climbing - awesome!
Welcome aboard Chuck, appreciate your kind words!! Means a lot that you are enjoying the channel, thanks again 👍
Love this hike!!
If you have an aspiration to climb something big and technical . . . like Capital. . .at least class 3, we could go big this summer. . .?
Fantastic bro, no words !!! :-) :-)
Thanks Brother, it was epic for sure!
Really enjoyed this one Karl. Summiting Longs is the highlight of 2021 for me personally after staring at this mountain for so long. Such a magical place. Would love to attempt Loft route next
I was thinking about the Loft as a 1st option as well but after reading a conditions report about the cables route not being a total Ice rink I decided to go for it. . . It was harder then I thought it was going to be, slick polished rock. The sawed off bolt nubs were a savior for me.
Great video
Thank you Jake, many more to come and in all kinds of beautiful and wild settings. Cheers!
Awesome hike and photography! Really appreciate you sharing with us all! Love that you have some of Elise's music as I enjoy E & A's videos too!
E &a A have turned out to be good friends, I love that song! We have been chatting about doing a collaboration but, They have some big plans for the summer so I'm not sure they will make it out to CO this season. . .
@@KarlDeckerPresents - Hey have a question for you - I am coming to CO in August for 4 days of hiking ito prep for a race that I do every year. I want to challenge myself on something like Pyramid or another class 3/4 hike but I don't have a way to train for that (I live on the Gulf Coast). Any suggestions? More specifically, I'm okay with altitude and distance, but the technical and route finding I need help with.
@@dansouth2088 do a couple of class three routes like Kelso Ridge on Torrey‘s Peak and make sure you’re comfortable with the exposure before trying any class 4. As far as route finding goes, definitely do your homework and ideally use GPS mapping software that already has a track on it for you to fall back on. I look at the GPS a lot! And I still get off route, lol.
@@KarlDeckerPresents - Awesome, thanks so much! That makes a lot of sense. One final question - if I did something like the Kelso ridge and felt comfortable, do you think trying Pyramid would be the next step up or is there another 14er / ridge that might be easier. Thank you so much again!
@@dansouth2088 I'd say Lindsey if it was open. . . I did think Pyramid was way doable for 4th class but definitely stay on the standard route and have a GPS track. It is a PITA to get a Parking pass though, I road my bike. . .I'd check that out sooner then later.
What a Great Shot at the "Keyhole"!!! EPIC...
EDITS: 4' high on the summit (14,255' on the benchmark, other beta shows 14,259' M.P.), and You called the "Narrows" the Ledges which are After the "Trough" (on down climb).
Opps, I was thinking the narrows had to be that narrow ledge system, I should have done more homework on that route. I was laser focused on the Cables portion since I knew it was going to be the real battle zone for me. . . and it was.
What I was thinking as you finished the walk-up portion of the Cables was, "In his jubilation, is he at all concerned with, or prepared for, the conditions on the Keyhole route which could be worse. Is he ready to down-climb the Cables? Are the contingency plans?" It looked like you didn't have a rap rig (rope?) for descending the Cables. The folks you met on the way down in the Trough looked much more geared than you did. I caught the "Ledges" for the "Narrows" also and noticed you didn't correct it in your edit. Our mind gets foggy at that altitude and we sometimes don't notice it until later. Your reply above "Opps...." suggested your were relatively unfamiliar with the Keyhole route. Maybe I should work for OSHA. I see your climbing knowledge and experience and your video skills are without question but there are chinks in your armor. Please climb safely, my friend. I think the music sounded like a good soundtrack from a James Bond movie! @@KarlDeckerPresents
@@myronstambaugh761 We all have gapping holes in our armor when we are in a place like that. That said, I had climbed the Keyhole route previously in snowy conditions and had no issues same as the descent in this video even with snow and ice, especially on the home stretch, it was well within my abilities. Maybe carrying an ice axe would have been prudent but definitely didn’t need one. I felt very strong that day, there was no haziness at all, I was simply not to familiar with the names of each section. I was very happy to see my friends on the descent though I was surprised they were moving so slow and still climbing. I knew I was in the clear after the Cables crux and was very focused on shooting video during the descent. The Cables crux on polished granite and patches of ice was near my limits. I was very grateful for the sawed off eye bolt stubs. They were reliable footholds and great places to rest and plan my next sequence of moves which were scary but well within my abilities as a rock climber. That all said, I’d never do the cables again without a rope. . . I’m turning 53 next month. I don’t shoot video if I’m scared like in the middle of the cables, aside from that short crux It was super chill but Long distance for me. Winter mountaineering solo is extremely dangerous, having a satellite rescue beacon is vital IMO when alone or with a partner if super remote. . . I’ve lived my whole life with these types of risks, motorcycles, paragliders, remote solo rock climbs. It is what I know but ultimately it may also be my undoing. I’ve narrowly escaped many times but honestly this trip was not too bad on the danger scale. I cannot shoot video when I’m fighting for my life.
Thank you, sir. I appreciate your daring and your candor. @@KarlDeckerPresents
Another amazing video. Your cinematography just keeps getting better & better Karl! Had me on the edge of my seat more than once! Not as far to fall though compered to where you were sitting lol. the vision you created around 20:40 onwards was simply spectacular! Too windy I guess for the drone on this one? Loved it just the same! Congratulations on an epic climb!
I WISH I could have used the drone, OMG would that have been unreal but, I was in a National Park, no fly Zone. I have to give a bunch of credit to Elise and her song, the part that caught you're attention, that channel is in the write up. I was very motivated to create something special to honor her generosity and their channel's support for me, LIVEHARDLOVEHARD. Adam and Elise are cool adventure athletes similar to myself. I have been avoiding this climb as it is one of the most coveted/crowded climbs in America but, I found the perfect window to do it in my solo style . . Thanks for stopping by Brother.
Did the cable route with my dad at 15yo 1970, then took my son up when is was 15yo 1997 with no cable, went the keyhole, narrows, etc route up and down
Thanks for your story! Cool how we remember those life highlights in such vivid detail! Karl 👍
@@KarlDeckerPresents we were just there two weeks ago, can’t get my wife interested in a 14’er, although at 68 and 66 she is probably right, Quandry might be an option it appears a little less challenging
Very well done video
Thanks appreciate the comment 👍!
The guy with girl looks unhappy😂 most be a cold morning
Yes I remember it was
Your channel is Rad🤘
Hopefully you'll like this week's! 👍
Mashallah it's very beautiful my friend 💕 🍧
A very special place, thanks Brother!
Amazing video. My heart stopped when you stepped out on the rock for sure. I went to longs in 1992 at 22 years of age and no experience and didn't make it up the mountain. At age 50, I'm going back next summer to do the keyhole route. Which shoes/boots would you recommend?
It depends on conditions but, for summer, with a nice forecast on the Keyhole route I’d take my ultra raptors. Heavy duty trail runners with sticky rubber. Over ankle light duty boots could be good too if your ankles are not used to long stretch of uneven terrain. As long as it is warm tough and a perfect fit, yet lightweight is key. Weight on your feet equal 4x weight in your pack.
May I ask what kind of camera monopod you was using for those long shots…. extremely spectacular awesome views.
I was using a 10ft carbon fiber telesin selfie stick with the insta 360 R1 camera. That set up like the no drone drone setup, LOL! Cheers!
@@KarlDeckerPresents yeah very awesome setup when when not able to fly drones… Thank you! Cheers!
"Easy Class III". He's right, but physically, Long's kicked my tail...but I made it.
I was totally beat at the end myself, that’s some serious mileage and vert. Nice work. Moving calmly, efficiently and in balance can save some serious energy and fun skills to develop.
Wonderful filming. I climbed this in 2022 with the masses. What time of year did you do this?
Thanks, an excellent late fall day, very lucky with the lack of wind!
Another great video! Maybe some more content from Glacier Gorge in the future?
I do love the whole park and have climbed a bunch in there, Zowie, Petite Gripon, and even soloed the Shark's tooth when my partner bailed on me but, I knew my friends were climbing right behind me. I was planning to do a 3 some when the going got tough. . . but I just kept going. . . I just worry about the crowds and fees. . . even 10 years ago I got stuck behind an incompetent party going up and they even refused to rappel with us, idiots. . . . we barely got off the rock before dark. . . then a long dark cold hike. . . Maybe there is an epic scramble though! Ideas? I did have a camp site reserved to solo Blitzen Ridge on Mt. Ypsilon in 2020 for a video but the smoke was horrible when I had the campsite. . . .Suggestions are always welcome Brother!
@@KarlDeckerPresents arrowhead to McHenry peak looks like it would be amazing. Probably right at the limit of what i could do. But you would probably cruise right up
@@edmiller999 I have looked at that route very closely! I was thinking of a bivy start near the Spearhead, solo its north ridge and then continue as you propose. I am nervous about the solo though, I have soloed 1/2 of it before, after climbing "the Barb," a 10b trad route on the east face of the Spearhead. My real fear is getting off route on the solo and ending up in tough class 5 terrain. . . .Maybe I should just do as you propose, eliminating the bivy would simplify things too. . .
I'm good for about 4 miles hiking before the joints start killing. knees, hips, ankles, back. hoping to improve that.
I’ll bet you can, I watch and stretch with, “Chase the mountains.” Another UA-cam channel and I think it has helped. Personally, at 51, my joints feel their worst when I can’t stay consistently active. My best advice is keep moving. Even if it’s just a short walk minimum, but every day. Yesterday I went out at dawn to do it and ended up tracking a mountain lion! Just tracks but it was cool.
Excellent video and editing. Which pack is that?
Thanks so much for your kind words! Karl 👍
Good morning....Could you tell what app you used on your phone to create those amazing visuals? I don't think you were were using a drone were you?
No drone use is permitted on National Park land, of course. Thanks for the question!
The 360 footage was amazing in this one! What camera gear do you use?
That was the Insta 360 one r. It can be pretty cool helmet mounted on and extension too, the unicorn cam. Looks incredibly lame though,lol!
@@KarlDeckerPresents haha yeah the unicorn look is certainly not the best but 100% worth the footage!
damn , I thought Capitol Peak was a long hike in .....
It WAS, just not quite this long LoL
Hey, Karl-I'm pretty sure drones are illegal in the National Parks.
They’re definitely illegal, and fineable for over $500. I didn’t use any drones in this video. I did have some old footage flying over in a single engine plane and the views down from the upper route to chasm View may appear as if I used a drone. If I had used the drone you would see way more amazing shots of me especially at Kaz and View, I was using a 360 camera on a 10 foot selfie stick as well, maybe that’s the confusion?
Very cool video and pretty much all your adventures are amazing💪 I wonder why you do not have a million subscribers! Try to be more interfered with your audience.. more personal.. and show surroundings more rather than yourself) 👌
Thank you for the support and advice. I think you are right, I will try to get closer to my audience and reveal more of my emotional reality. I have been struggling with the Myself VS the surroundings. I know you are right and that is why almost every time I talk/blog I try to intersperse clips of the surroundings. The issue I have is trying to please two types of audiences, those that simply want to join me virtually and those that want useful route information so they can do the climb more safely. I'm not sure I can meet both perfectly??? One thing for sure though, it is almost universally better to be in every third person shot, camera on the tripod, to reveal scale and a better sense of the reality of the terrain, depth, difficulty. . . .Any feedback is appreciated. My goal is constant improvement and being more personal absolutely will be n area of improvement, kind of already is a new focus, many of my favorite UA-camrs are very personal, I simply like to hang out with them. . . . I have a more personal video coming that does reflect this new/ my real personality, pretty well, rock climbing with my wife. . . Despite what you see in the videos I'm actually kind of a goofy and silly guy in real life, especially when I'm super happy in the wild climbing with close companions. Thank you for your help Anzhelika
Did you know conditions would be this perfect to ascend without technical climbing gear? (i.e. ice axe or crampons/traction device)
It had been a frighteningly warm and dry fall but, at that altitude you really never know. I did read a conditions report on 14ers.com from three days before on the cables route and that made it sound very doable for me. I definitely did not discount traversing over to the keyhole and ascending that way if it was totally coated in ice. For me the key is never making a move that I can’t do in reverse, and I’m very experienced at that, I do lots of down climbing on the flat irons.
@@KarlDeckerPresents Awesome, I love that approach! Never making a move you can't reverse. I want to have a similar approach when I get out to do those kinds of things in the mountains, for now I will keep practice my downclimbing in the gym
Nope. lol
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