This is the gully I skied up and down on the way to Loch Vale. This would have been great if I wanted to go to Loch Vale... or if Loch Vale was on the way to Long's Peak. Neither of which is true, unfortunately.
Skiing under a fallen tree on the non-trail to Loch Vale...the wrong way!
Long's Peak in the center left and Pagoa on the far right.
Mill's Lake with Long's Peak on the skyline in the center (it doesn't appear to be the highest point from this angle). Pagoda is the peak on the far right.
Mill's Lake. I skied directly across this ice, falling once each direction. Slippery stuff. On the skyline you can see (left to right) Long's Peak, Pagoda, and Chiefshead.
Arrowhead in some nice sunshine
Arrowhead
Spearhead (triangle on the left in the foreground) and Chiefshead's massive northwest face.
This is the Arrowhead. Trashy and I climbed the South Ramp route (http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/alpine_rock/rmnp__rock/105757978) one summer and linked it to McHenry's East Ridge (the right skyline in this photo: http://www.mountainproject.com/images/42/21/1304221_large_f615fb.jpg)
Spearhead on the left (the spire) and Chiefshead in the center. The big face is the northwest face.
McHenry's Peak
That's Black Lake in the foreground - completely covered in snow. McHenry's Peak in the background.
McHenry's Peak and the ice above Black Lake
The Trough is dead center in this photo, though you can't see the snow in it from this angle. I've a long way to go. The summit of Longs is dead center was well.
This is a shot of the Kahtoola Flight Deck boot that I wore when climbing. Inside it is just a running shoe. These babies are a nice, comfy alternative to a mountaineering boot, if front points aren't required (they have a built-in semi-crampon on the bottom)
This is the summit marker on Longs Peak.
The blowing snow here indicates the tremendous winds. While it wasn't super nasty for most of my ascent, the summit wind speeds were probably 50+ mph.
Mt. Meeker from the summit of Longs Peak
Looking back from the summit marker to the cairn at the top of the Homestretch.
This is the Catwalk section that connects the top of the Trough to the Homestretch.
Looking up the Trough on my descent. The snow was too hard to safely glissade. Ironically, I thought the snow was too soft to ascend on my way up...
Still in the Trough on the descent. I'm a long way from my skis and an even longer way to my car. Didn't see a soul about Mills Lake.
Looking down the Trough. This cliffs out at the bottom and I'd take once again to the rocks on talus on the right side.
Ripped up my heels within the first two hours because of my Randonee boots. I need to get that problem solved. Made for a painful remaining eight hours.
Ouch! I was both looking forward to getting back on my skis and dreading putting my feet back into those boots. It was painful skiing out, but less work than walking.
