I'm looking for infomation on climbing Longs Peak via The Loft. Specifically, I'd loke details on getting from The Loft, past Clark's Arrow, and up to the Homestretch. I did this route a couple years ago, and my experience was that I dropped at least 600-800 feet down from the west Side of the Loft, around a large buttress, and then ascended N-NE to the Homstretch from there. After reading a number of trip reports, it seems that I'm not the only one who's done it this way. But the guide book is very clear in stating that the drop down from The Loft is MUCH shorter than that. It talks about less than 100 feet. When I was ascending towards the Homestretch, I kept my eyes peeled to the ridge on my right (where I was expecting to see the Arrow), and never found anything that looked like a direct route down from (or to) The Loft. While I enjoyed my trip a great deal, it would have been even better with 500 feet less climbing.

What I'd like is detailed beta, a GPS track, or photos specifically of the route leaving The Loft, past Clark's Arrow, and on up. Does anyone have this. I think I'm not the only one who could benefit. Thanks in advance!

-Kris

No one? Really?

I guess I'm going to be spending some serious time on The Loft so I can come back and post a response.

40 15.063 N
105 36.844 W

You are right that you do not drop too far below the saddle. This is a good TR with some GPS coords for Clarks Arrow.

You might want to look at 14ers.com for more on Longs.

Good luck, it is a great climb.

Aaron's Loft page:
http://www.summitpost.org/route/156864/the-loft.html

includes this overview image:
http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.p ... t_id=28938



That probably shows where you descended your 600 feet. I did the same thing once, partially due to a huge cairn in the wrong place. I have since taken that cairn down. The crux of not descending too far is to find the narrow ledge above the buttress.

Yup! I definitely took the lower route in that picture. I guess based on some of the pics you linked to, I was expecting a route off The Loft that was a little less of a scramble. I'll know what to look for next time. Thanks, all!

Hey rocky - i'd like to do this route sometime this spring/summer - if you plan on going and would like a partner give me a shout.

thanks,

Mike