The Agnes Vaille shelter at the Keyhole on Longs Peak, Colorado.  On July 13th, 2009 the shelter was still mostly filled-in with winter snow.

The Keyhole route was dry enough to not require crampons or an ice axe when we travelled across it on an ascent of Longs Peak on July 13th, 2009.  The RMNP rangers are still classifying this route as "technical", but with quick melting snows in these mid-summer temperatures, there is much less snow than a week ago and the route can be done easily enough without any technical tools.  Sticky rubber shoes or grippy boots will be helpful for all of the 3rd+ class rock climbing encountered on this easiest path up Longs Peak (14,226').

The North Face of Longs Peak is still holding ample snow below and above the crux slab pitches.  Inches of hard ice just under the surface of much of this snow means that crampons will still be crucial for an ascent of this more direct route to the summit of Longs.