CAPITOL PEAK IN AUGUST. DAY HIKE?

[timf]

Capitol Peak as a day hike is too much for the average 14er climber, and since you're coming from sea level that could complicate things further. However, since you are a marathon runner it may well be possible for you. There's just no way for me to speculate. It's 17 miles round trip, with 5,300 ft elevation gain. I've climbed Capitol only once, and just to give you an idea, it took us approx 9 hrs round trip from Capitol Lake. It's very slow going from K2 to Capitol and back. I'd recommend packing in for a night at Capitol Lake, but if you'd like to start from the trailhead then I'd recommend starting very early, like 2 am. In any case, you should be off the summit by noon at the LATEST, as afternoon thunderstorms are the norm in August, and that long ridge between Capitol and K2 is not a place you want to be in a thunderstorm.

Yeah I did Capitol about 19, 20 years ago as a day hike. I was faster then, but still not a speed demon and more like a 10K runner then marathoner.
Started at 1am and got back to the car at around 5pm so 16 hours RT. I would pack in if I ever chose to do it again. I would NEVER EVER do it as a day hike, like ever ever! That trek out was such a death march when I came to the creek crossing I didn't take my boots off. I just trudged across and went water logged boots the 400' back uphill to the car. What an all day slugfest!

[TravelFar]

That trek out was such a death march, when I came to the creek crossing I didn't take my boots off. I just trudged across and went water logged boots the 400' back uphill to the car.

Well, that used to be the standard trail, but nowadays everybody utilizes the Ditch Trail, from the west end of the parking lot, which is mostly level as it heads upvalley. (There is still a creek crossing halfway to the lake, but it's usually bridged with branches.)

[kevintheclimber]

Well I did it as a day hike in July. Left my car around 3 am and got lost for an hour (took the trail further down the parking lot) essentially started at 4 am....came back car at around 3 pm. I was pretty acclimated and was able to keep moving pretty quickly. I think the altitude is going to be a problem- sleep at 10 k for few nights, summit a 14er (all within a week) before trying this endeavor

[pmeadco]

When judging a peak and its challenges I find it really useful to read the trip and condition reports from other hikers. It will give you a good idea about what you will be up against.
As far as this peak goes, my daughter and I day-tripped it, and I have no regrets on that. We were on trail at about 3:30a and got back to the car before 5p. Yeah, it was a long day, but I sleep better in a bed than I do on dirt, so it is worth it to me to send the night in a motel, get up early and go. We were in moderate, but not great physical condition at the time. As I recall, every other person we encountered that day was also day-tripping the peak. To me it all comes down to knowing your strengths and weaknesses. This is not a peak that tolerates a casual attitude, so if you are not confident in your ability to take on the physical and mental demands of a long, sometimes tricky and potentially dangerous hike, then save it for another time.

[Conor]

An extremely out of shape Conor did it as a 12 hr day trip in early July a couple years ago. If you've got the time I could see camping as being worthwhile. But, I only get so many permission slips signed these days, and adding a camping outing makes getting a signature very difficult....

[nyker]

Hey jburt139,

You don't give us any idea of your skill level or experience on other peaks and your profile is not filled in, so I'll be cautious in my suggestions- since Capitol has taken many lives recently.

Regardless of your skill level, if you have flexibility in timing, do both peaks in early-mid September for a higher probability of stable weather, which is crucial on both of these peaks since past a certain point on each mountain, retreat would be slow and dangerous if in a hurry should T-storms, rain or snow come in. With that said do both only with a good forecast (30% or less chance of precip).

Both are doable in a day trip provided you're ok with ~17 mile roundtrip and +~ 5,000ft vertical gain days. Make sure you'll be in good "mountain shape"; ie: acclimatized, rested, and have good cardio-I'll assume since you run, you have the latter. And start early (2-3am on Longs and 1-3am on Capitol). Late Aug/early Sept is 'usually' past the monsoon season where regular thunderstorms come in by midday/afternoon, buy always a good idea to start earlier anyway to give you more time.

If you haven't done similar climbs as these two at altitude, before you come out, try and do climbs with similar mileage and gain (and ideally similar altitude) on easier terrain first so then you'll at least know the elevation gain/mileage won't be an issue and you'll become familiar with how your body functions while exerting yourself up high.

Also, whether or not you do these in one or more days depends on (i) your fitness and willingness to grind out a day "hike" for 10-16 hours, (ii) your interest in bringing all your camping gear and carrying and setting up your tent in the basin, assuming you have all the gear and (iii) if you can sleep in a tent and whether or not that will impact your performance.

Where on the east coast do you live?

[TallGrass]

any recommendations regarding climbing Capitol Peak as a day-hike or 2-day hike. ... I'd like to do the hike in one day. Thoughts? I am a 28 year old marathon runner living at sea level on the East Coats.

Well, East Coats beats East Socks. Go for it, but be prepared for 1. weather in terms of go no-go and clothing, 2. altitude by looking up the AMS symptoms list (Lake Louise worksheet).

Coming from sea level is not a deal breaker as it affects everyone differently with the only guarantee that you'll get winded quicker and have to drop a gear or two. Stay hydrated (filter water UPstream of the cows), stay energized (you'll burn a lot of calories), and keep your body temp regulated, neither too hot nor cold.

What you don't mention is your rock climbing and exposure (heights) experience. If you have none of the former, I'd spend time at a rock climbing gym near you. Everyone has their pref's, but you'll want a sole that has grippy rubber (will hold while "smearing" on 30-45 degree storm drain concrete) and lets your forefoot flex without being a foam waffle that offers no rigidity when on irregular rocks and edges.

[seano]

If you've run a marathon (i.e. less than 4 hours), and don't have unusual problems with altitude, Capitol in a day will be no problem. Trust the math: it's 17 miles and 5300 feet of gain, so you can make a pretty good estimate based on your speed on other peaks.

[Steve2]

Do you have much experience at altitude? Even the most physically fit athletes coming from sea level can have debilitating problems with altitude, and these routes are no joke.

What the dude said. You cannot condition for altitude at sea level, even if you're a marathon runner. The physiology is different.

Do yourself a favor and spend several days at decent altitudes in CO before attempting these two more difficult 14ers. Maybe stay in Leadville (10,200 feet), do a couple practice runs up 12,000 or 13,000 peaks.

And take Diamox (acetazolamide). It accelerates the acclimation process.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook ... de-illness

[719BR]

And take Diamox (acetazolamide). It accelerates the acclimation process.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook ... de-illness

Oh for the love. There is a lot of great advice in this thread, I would follow it. "And take Diamox" is not part of said great advice.

I have not done Capitol, so you can stop reading here if you'd like, but I've done a couple other technically challenging long 14er summits that would compare gain and mileage-wise (Rainier, Shasta, Williamson), and while any of them can be done in a day, in most cases it's generally advisable to split it over two days. There are exceptions, but most of us mere mortals just deal with the fact we aren't Superman and enjoy the experience.

[justiner]

It's a Brave New World!

[peter303]

Five people died in separate trips hiking Capitol in 2017.
With your empty resume on your profile, try to convince us you are not next in line.