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January, 2025

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Is guide worth it for Long’s Peak?

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Rock_Inhabitant
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 14,332
Me and my dad are tryna summit longs peak and ski decent. My dad has a ton of mountaineering experience (Cho oyu ski decent if you’re familiar), and I have done some stuff with ice picks and crampons. Do we need a guide for this specific climb or do you think we could wing it with the help of fatmap?
Dec 8 2023 8:30PM
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 29,653
heard @Knapzach skied it a while back in a tallt with a spliff in his mouth so you should be fine
Dec 9 2023 2:43PM
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Grom
Posts: 312 - Karma: 2,112
That is probably a good decision for your dad to make. If he did the majority of his mountaineering with a guide, making all the choices and putting in protection, then it might be smart to go with a guide. If his previous mountaineering was unguided, and he feels confident to make choices about snowpack stability and route finding, then it is possible to do unguided.

Longs ski descent is full-on with exposure. Don't think that going unguided for the first time is 'less cool.'
Dec 9 2023 4:19PM
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midwestcoast
Posts: 220 - Karma: 2,223
Me and a buddy plan to go unguided around Feb/March. We're both moderately experienced and have our AIARE 2. I've heard it isn't too bad when the conditions are good. Here's a brief overview of the more popular routes:
https://www.skyblueoverland.com/backcountry-skiing-in-colorado-longs-peak-area-ski-lines/#rating
Dec 11 2023 11:00AM
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