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xtrmecat
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 22, 2008 - 10:55pm PT
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It's about the other park. Thought you Sierra folks would like to see what up north looks like. A weekend walk in Glacier Nat. Park, 20 mile through hike, 3,300 feet climbed, 3,800 feet down. Stellar weather, and everything is moist and green. The goats are running all over the place.
Blackfoot and Jackson Glaciers haven't lost their winter fur yet.
Warm enough that you needed to stop in the shade rather than in the sun just to take in the views. The little woman and her 75 liter load.
A pretty cool stop for lunch at Gunsight lake campground, with some pretty cool views within just a few steps of the food prep area.
Pretty uneventful up till now. Met a man that was headed up and his gear seemed kind of 70's, and his clothing did not meet the norm for this type of terrain, a little old to be alone out here, no bear spray, and just generaly did not make sense. Talked breifly with him and seemed very nice, but with the out of place gear and whatnot, seemed like there was a story untold here. Mentioned this to the wife after he left and she said I should ask him when we meet up at the only camp spot for the next 16 miles. Seemed like a good idea, until halfway up the pass I saw him chopping steps in the snowfield with a pretty heighness(sp) runout below. I had warned him to be careful on the snow during our previous meeting. The next time I looked up he was no longer standing and it did not look good. Here is what we saw, keep in mind the camera was zoomed all the way out.
This is Jim where he fell from where we first saw him.
I ran my fat butt up the 1/4 mile or so, donned crampons, axe, and rope and went out and helped him off the snowfield. Mini epic for sure. So now I had to short rope the wife across so I left my pack on the trail on the other side and went back across for her. About the time I arrived on the other side we noticed someones overly stuffed/well rounded pack going head over heels to the bottom of the slope at near terminal velocity. Crap, it's mine. Round pack on sloped trail in the wind, bad deal. Just think how much cardio I get this weekend, climbing the steep stuff, not once but twice, loaded both times.
But the views were great.
And cool rock to boot.
Beautiful plants, live and not.
I have this same moss just outside my front door and it doesn't bloom near as well as the wild stuff.
Always take the time to look back on things.
An old goat.
And a not old goat.
My buddy Chuck, thats what I call all the marmots here.
Finally can see camp. The trees on the left near the lake is the campsite, with the food area by the glacial erratic on the left third of pic.
A place on the lake is too tuff to take.
With waterfalls all around to lull us to sleep.
Here is Jim, the guy I had met previously on the snow, with his humble load. Turns out the story was 40 years ago two NYC boys got in a VW bug and went out to see the world and the first moutain adventure they had was exactly 40 years previous on this very trail, just backwards in direction. We swapped jokes and stories at dinner and I will never forget our meeting, he had me fooled when he left me his business card stating "You knew you caught a fish, but you didn't know you caught a big fish." Turns out the card belongs to a US Admin. Law Judge. Floored me flat out. Never would have guessed that story thats for sure. Great guy.
And for 64 years and 51 weeks old he hikes very well. One last look back on the lake on the way out.
With some goats getting out of the heat.
And one last waterfall when coming down out of the alpine stuff.
Sorry for the bad grammar and misspellings, I will edit as time permits and it is late for me. You should have been there.
Bob
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Jul 22, 2008 - 11:16pm PT
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That was pretty cool Bob. Thanks for posting.
Sometimes its just about getting out there...
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goatboy smellz
climber
colorado
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Jul 22, 2008 - 11:21pm PT
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Good days out and about.
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rhyang
Ice climber
SJC
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Jul 22, 2008 - 11:30pm PT
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Gorgeous !! My mother was raised in Montana .. I have always wanted to visit, but have yet to do so.
How did the BD tent hold up ?
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Double D
climber
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Jul 22, 2008 - 11:32pm PT
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Wow, the majesty of that place is incredible! Thanks for sharing Bob.
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Standing Strong
Trad climber
sunlight on the surf
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Jul 22, 2008 - 11:33pm PT
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excellent! thank you for posting
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Standing Strong
Trad climber
sunlight on the surf
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Jul 22, 2008 - 11:35pm PT
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"Sorry for the bad grammar and misspellings"
screw that, who cares... content not composition. i would hate for someone to not post something cool just cuz they were concerned about that
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Jul 23, 2008 - 12:16am PT
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so what the heck was he doing on the snow field?
highly suspcious to have a judge be doing stupid things.
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Jaybro
Social climber
wuz real!
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Jul 23, 2008 - 12:24am PT
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I've only been to Glacier once, but I have to go back.
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Jul 23, 2008 - 12:51am PT
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Beautiful. Thanks Bob,
Was that lake Ellen Wilson? I tried to make it there about 20 years ago but got stormed out.
What time of year was your trip?
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ct
climber
CO
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Jul 23, 2008 - 12:55am PT
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Absolutely beautiful. The campsite next to the lake looks sublime. Thanks for posting.
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Jul 23, 2008 - 01:24am PT
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Very Beautiful, thank you for the TR and pics.
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Blitzo
Social climber
Earth
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Jul 23, 2008 - 01:35am PT
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Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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xtrmecat
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 23, 2008 - 08:07am PT
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Yes the lake is Ellen Wilson. It is definately a prize. Hey there Munge, Jim was on the snowfield because it is the trail. The pictures do not do the slope or exposure justice, but you must go through them to get to the pass. which is one of three places we had to roped up to get to. Big snow year for us. This was last weekend, 7-19 and 7-20-08.
Bob
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Jul 23, 2008 - 09:02am PT
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Breath of fresh air.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jul 23, 2008 - 09:12am PT
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Great TR! What a place--I've only been for a short one
many years ago, but what stupendous scenery.
I'm glad the old guy was okay--good for you on the rescue!
Did you see any bears?
Thanks again, super report!
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cowpoke
climber
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Jul 23, 2008 - 10:43am PT
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very nice...thanks for taking me outside on an inside day.
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Jimmy
Social climber
Santa Fe NM
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Jul 23, 2008 - 10:58am PT
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Great photos! But I agree- the slope of the snow field looked much steeper from my vantage point than appears on the photos.
Thanks again, Bob and Kem
Jim B.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jul 23, 2008 - 11:39am PT
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Wow, very beautiful out there. Looks like you guys had a great time.
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dontlikebears
Gym climber
salem, or
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Jul 23, 2008 - 11:39am PT
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These are so beautiful that I'd actually like to see them in person.. can you please ask the bears to leave so we can go for a hike next year? I guess I'll just enjoy these pictures!!
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