Well, we didn't quite climb it, but it's a good idea. Vernon is the only one of the three of us who can do this mountain justice, so I'm leaving it up to him if he wants to create the page now or wait until we're finally able to summit, hopefully next summer. -Bob
We're working on a letter to be sent to the Park superintendent in which we'll be asking for an open-ended camping permit somewhere near the Stoney Indian route. This is the only route we're interested in. The only other ones we've read about involve some nasty bushwhacking and a huge, loose, scree-covered slope on the west side of the peak. It is our opinion that the Park needs to accommodate climbers as well as they do backpackers, which means allowing us to build weather days into our schedules. We're perfectly willing to obey any special rules they might impose in this particular area, as long as those rules make it possible to stay up there a few days waiting for good weather, if necessary. -Bob
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Other approach?
Thanks for the comment, Scott. Bob's exactly right in what he says. The Edwards' book does mention a couple other routes, information about which I'll add on to the "Addendum" section at the bottom of the page.
I know Bob and Duane have been really looking forward to this one and that the permit situation was a real hangup. Bummer about the weather but what can you do? In any event, I'm sure that you guys will be back again and nab this sucker in 2008. After all, how hard can a mtn named after some city in flat Ohio be? ;-)
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good Report
I've tried climbing in GNP many times in September, and just never had much luck. Partly it's been coincidences of bad timing, because of course there are "climbable" days in September, but the weather really does change around the end of August, quite dramatically. This was the hottest, dryest summer in Western Montana's history, and the weather STILL changed at that time. It's just something you can count on.
Actually, the mountain is named after President Grover Cleveland, who had established the Lewis & Clark Forest Reserve in 1897, which included what was to become GNP in 1910.
And as you say "climbing is optional, descent is mandatory!" I too am glad you guys made good decisions up there!
It will be a nice place to visit again! Mount Cleveland reprise, part IV.
Cheers;
T
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Stuff Vernon;
Thanks, Tim--believe me, I'm already looking to next year!
I can't say we "chased" two griz off the summit in 2006. Let's just say we had an "understanding" with them. An intense one though. Very good write. I consider myself lucky I got all the "Ten's" done on 1st attempts. Weather was good on all. david
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: vernon
Thanks for checking it out, David--after your experience I thought you'd be interested! We saw bear scat, bear signs, but no actual bruin sightings. (Maybe on the summit....)
Saintgrizzly - Oct 4, 2007 12:08 am - Hasn't voted
And I appreciate the addendum. Other national parks manage to have different permit regimes for hikers, groups, livestock, etc., why not a different system for climbers in some areas?
If you write up a reasonable rule and give us an address, I'm sure we can all bombard the NPS with requests for a rule change. Or start a thread on the forum to discuss what a sensible rule for climbers would be, and which sites it would affect.
vanman798 - Oct 1, 2007 6:57 pm - Voted 10/10
You ought to make a Clevland Mt PageI couldn't find one. Since you climbed it, you ought to make the mountain page for it.
Bob Bolton - Oct 3, 2007 8:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: You ought to make a Clevland Mt PageWell, we didn't quite climb it, but it's a good idea. Vernon is the only one of the three of us who can do this mountain justice, so I'm leaving it up to him if he wants to create the page now or wait until we're finally able to summit, hopefully next summer. -Bob
vanman798 - Oct 5, 2007 11:18 am - Voted 10/10
Re: You ought to make a Clevland Mt Page"by climbed it", I didn't mean summit it. :)
It's a great mountain, and definately one that should be under the mountains and rocks section of this website.
Scott - Oct 1, 2007 7:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Other approach?Good trip report.
Is there another approach to the mountain to avoid the red tape/reservation problems, or do they all have the same problems with full campsites?
Bob Bolton - Oct 3, 2007 8:54 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Other approach?We're working on a letter to be sent to the Park superintendent in which we'll be asking for an open-ended camping permit somewhere near the Stoney Indian route. This is the only route we're interested in. The only other ones we've read about involve some nasty bushwhacking and a huge, loose, scree-covered slope on the west side of the peak. It is our opinion that the Park needs to accommodate climbers as well as they do backpackers, which means allowing us to build weather days into our schedules. We're perfectly willing to obey any special rules they might impose in this particular area, as long as those rules make it possible to stay up there a few days waiting for good weather, if necessary. -Bob
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Other approach?Thanks for the comment, Scott. Bob's exactly right in what he says. The Edwards' book does mention a couple other routes, information about which I'll add on to the "Addendum" section at the bottom of the page.
ericnoel - Oct 1, 2007 10:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Good ReportI know Bob and Duane have been really looking forward to this one and that the permit situation was a real hangup. Bummer about the weather but what can you do? In any event, I'm sure that you guys will be back again and nab this sucker in 2008. After all, how hard can a mtn named after some city in flat Ohio be? ;-)
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Good ReportI've tried climbing in GNP many times in September, and just never had much luck. Partly it's been coincidences of bad timing, because of course there are "climbable" days in September, but the weather really does change around the end of August, quite dramatically. This was the hottest, dryest summer in Western Montana's history, and the weather STILL changed at that time. It's just something you can count on.
Actually, the mountain is named after President Grover Cleveland, who had established the Lewis & Clark Forest Reserve in 1897, which included what was to become GNP in 1910.
Aaron Johnson - Oct 2, 2007 11:53 pm - Voted 10/10
IncrediblePassionately and expertly told. Engrossing story during the descent. I couldn't stop reading!
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: IncredibleThanks, Aaron! You and Ellen would LOVE this mountain!
T Sharp - Oct 3, 2007 2:04 am - Voted 10/10
Great Stuff Vernon;And as you say "climbing is optional, descent is mandatory!" I too am glad you guys made good decisions up there!
It will be a nice place to visit again! Mount Cleveland reprise, part IV.
Cheers;
T
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Stuff Vernon;Thanks, Tim--believe me, I'm already looking to next year!
WoundedKnee - Oct 3, 2007 11:20 am - Voted 10/10
What a great reportVery well written, and fabulous pictures.
Sorry you didn't make the summit...this is also in my plans in ten years or so. The red tape info is very helpful.
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:37 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: What a great reportThanks for the comment! Hope you get to do the mountain; the mountain itself, the area, are really quite special.
siyeh - Oct 3, 2007 8:29 pm - Voted 10/10
vernonI can't say we "chased" two griz off the summit in 2006. Let's just say we had an "understanding" with them. An intense one though. Very good write. I consider myself lucky I got all the "Ten's" done on 1st attempts. Weather was good on all. david
Saintgrizzly - Oct 3, 2007 10:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: vernonThanks for checking it out, David--after your experience I thought you'd be interested! We saw bear scat, bear signs, but no actual bruin sightings. (Maybe on the summit....)
Saintgrizzly - Oct 4, 2007 12:08 am - Hasn't voted
Re: FantasticThanks, Fred! Up for Bearhat next summer?
theplugger - Oct 4, 2007 2:22 am - Voted 10/10
EngrossingThis takes trip reports to a whole new height...pun intended. Thanks for the journey.
Saintgrizzly - Oct 5, 2007 1:22 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: EngrossingNice play on words, indeed! Thanks for taking the time to read. Glad you liked it!
Arthur Digbee - Oct 4, 2007 4:43 pm - Voted 10/10
great report!And I appreciate the addendum. Other national parks manage to have different permit regimes for hikers, groups, livestock, etc., why not a different system for climbers in some areas?
If you write up a reasonable rule and give us an address, I'm sure we can all bombard the NPS with requests for a rule change. Or start a thread on the forum to discuss what a sensible rule for climbers would be, and which sites it would affect.