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RoryKuykendall wrote:

RED!!! What date do you recall your trip to red? We attempted last year when there was still a bit of snow on top of red/ridge between spot mtn. and red mtn. We didn't have the time/weather to even think about crossing that snowy ridge btwn the two. We were there early july/late june if I recall correctly, and there was still snow on most of the tops of the 8.5+ in the twomed/cutbank area.

Brooks,

We did Red Mountain sometime in late July. Your boy Sean Doyle is in that photo, second from the front (with the large hind quarters). We hiked up the Pitamakan Pass trail for about three miles, then did an ascending traverse to the summit of Red from the southeast. We didn't have to deal with anything worse than class three. There was very little snow. Nothing sketchy at all (I'm strictly a fair weather mountaineer, if there is such a thing). It's one of my favorite summits of the ones I've done in Glacier. I like it because its one of the 25 highest in the park, yet it's not in any guide books (maybe it's in FlatheadNative's new one?) and rarely gets climbed. The views are remote and spectacular. I HIGHLY recommend it. Feel free to contact me at the Many Glacier Bell Desk this summer if you'd like any route specifics, but it's pretty straightforward. I've also done Ipasha if you'd like any info on that one. I used a slightly different route than Sean and those guys, one that doesn't involve crossing Ahern Glacier.

Cheers

Wow, small world here in GNP. I'm already guessing you know sean from working in Many, he's going back there this year. I thought I recognized 'Mighty Mouse' traversing the grass slope in your photo, just wasn't quite sure! I'll be in the many area for 2 weeks or so in the month of June. I will definitely wanna do some ascents with you fellas!

EarMountain wrote:Here's two from last year.

1. One of my favorite views in the park is from the Summit of Cathedral Mountain looking toward Mount Merritt.

That view is outstanding!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVg1u6KqqqE[/youtube]

Happy Mary Huana day!

RoryKuykendall wrote:

RED!!! What date do you recall your trip to red? We attempted last year when there was still a bit of snow on top of red/ridge between spot mtn. and red mtn. We didn't have the time/weather to even think about crossing that snowy ridge btwn the two. We were there early july/late june if I recall correctly, and there was still snow on most of the tops of the 8.5+ in the twomed/cutbank area.

Brooks,

We did Red Mountain sometime in late July. Your boy Sean Doyle is in that photo, second from the front (with the large hind quarters). We hiked up the Pitamakan Pass trail for about three miles, then did an ascending traverse to the summit of Red from the southeast. We didn't have to deal with anything worse than class three. There was very little snow. Nothing sketchy at all (I'm strictly a fair weather mountaineer, if there is such a thing). It's one of my favorite summits of the ones I've done in Glacier. I like it because its one of the 25 highest in the park, yet it's not in any guide books (maybe it's in FlatheadNative's new one?) and rarely gets climbed. The views are remote and spectacular. I HIGHLY recommend it. Feel free to contact me at the Many Glacier Bell Desk this summer if you'd like any route specifics, but it's pretty straightforward. I've also done Ipasha if you'd like any info on that one. I used a slightly different route than Sean and those guys, one that doesn't involve crossing Ahern Glacier.

Cheers

We climbed Red Mountain on July 23rd. Rory, if I recall correctly, Red is not included in Blake Passmore's new guide book. I believe he intended to climb it, but never got the chance this past year. Likely the only peak in the Two Med area that we've got a leg up on him!

Here's a photo from one of my favorite outings from last year - a route connecting Scenic Point Trailhead to Lubec Lakes Trailhead, with stops atop Ellsworth, Bearhead, and Red Crow. Lots of wind, snow, and wild terrain!



As for this year... made it up to the park this weekend. Biked the Many Glacier Road 8 miles from the park boundary to the hotel and snowshoed around Lake Josephine on Saturday. On Sunday, biked from East Glacier to the Running Eagle Falls Trailhead and then hiked the open road to the Scenic Point Trailhead. Made our way up to Scenic Point and hiked all the way back to East Glacier. Watched a grizzly sow and cub wrestling far below the trail in Apistoki Basin, also encountered some bighorn rams on the trail. First time hiking from Scenic Point to East.... the trail was surprisingly beautiful. FANTASTIC weather on Sunday! Snow levels appear to be rather low in the park, especially compared to last year.

A glorious day on top of aptly named Scenic Point



This incredible rock spire can be found a few miles from Scenic Point just off the trail that leads to East Glacier Park.

thanks for the road condition's/trail beta! I'll be there in 6 more days! Can't wait! Bringing the bike this year to get quick access and hope to get some good ol potholing done the next few weeks!!!!

Was just up on Mt. Furlong Sunday looking into the park. Snow is coming off quickly. Looks like an ascent of St. Nick could easily be done in June.

Anybody have sturdy rock suggestions for crash course of mutipitch climbing and rappel practice within the park? Anybody going to be doing any sort of protected trad climbing for good measure this season? I've got a semi-good looking rack, but no experience with formal pro climbing. Complete JONG...would love to have a mentor willing to accept housing/food/beer/marijane for some guidance.

I just bought a helmet! My first one. It's about friggin time.

Those rocks are LOOSE up there!

No kidding, I remember having a rather large crew on the way up to the summit of Going to Sun Mtn. and our main dilemna on our way up was the rock fall. On our way down we had one slight injury (minor abrasion) from a chunk of shale brazing somebody's leg. Luckily it was the flat side of the rock and not the razor sharp side wall of the thing!

Message from FlatheadNative

Red and Spot are not in the new guidebook. I ran out of time and energy last year. That is one big climb and mountain no matter how you approach it!

Blake

History stoke.

http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/new_exhibit_traces_rich_history_of_mountaineering_in_glacier_park/27675/

http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/glaciers_rich_history_of_mountaineering/23998/

I'm planning on attending the May 4th exhibit. Pretty neat if you ask me! Too bad I won't have my camera by then so I could take some shots of the showcases they will have.

Okay, now I'm totally stoked because this weekend I completed my first wilderness first aid course through NOLS and WMI. It was a fantastic class. I learned so much that could potentially save a person's life in the backcountry. I can't believe I waited this long to take it.

So, just a refresher - I now have a helmet and a wilderness first aid cerification. What could possibly go wrong?

you forgot to take off you dinner bells and a grizz is right behind you with cubs in front of you. Going for Elk Mtn. today.

you forgot to take off you dinner bells and a grizz is right behind you with cubs in front of you. Going for Elk Mtn. today.

I think in that situation, the best thing to do is to pick up the cubs and throw them back towards the sow. Right?

Have fun on Elk Mountain, I'm jealous.

I think in that situation, the best thing to do is to pick up the cubs and throw them back towards the sow. Right?

And this has been another episode of "Rory Kuykendall's Terrible Mountaineering Idea of the Week," brought to you by Petzl Helmets and the Wilderness Medicine Institute.