CLIMBING ADVENTURE SERIES

GLACIER'S GIANT - CLIMBING MOUNT CLEVELAND

Part 2

Mount Cleveland is located in the north central portion of Glacier National Park. Standing 10,466 feet in height it is Glacier highest summit. The views from the summit are outstanding.

 

But first. Bushwhacking sucks! No really ... it sucks. Sometimes there is no advance and there is no retreat. Hanging suspended on dense vegetation is not a great way to spend an afternoon in the park. But that was our current position.

 

Frustration was followed by short-lived elation, as we would locate what seemed to be a good elk trail only to have it obliterated by another thicket of alder. This scenario continued until we broke out of the thicket into the Camp Creek drainage.

 

We followed the north fork to a beautiful waterfall that if it were closer to a road would surely get overrun with visitors. Perhaps some things are better left for those who travel off trail.

 

Above the falls we entered the great basin below the west face of Cleveland. It was near this place that six young mountaineers perished in an avalanche in 1969 after their ill-fated winter ascent of Cleveland. This was a stark reminder of the danger and consequences of a misstep or underestimation of the mountain or weather conditions.

 

Even on our climb around the waterfall we were confronted with the possibility that a slip could result in a climb-ending fall. Up here there are no second chances. This area is a long way from

civilization and rescue.

 

Above the waterfall the entire west face opened before us.  Snowmelt forms a stream that plunges over a high waterfall in the center of this grand cirque. Our eyes could only begin to take in the grand majesty of this place. Then we turned around. Peaks were everywhere!

 

We found what looked like the location of the back county campsite used by climbers and pitched our tents.  We spent the rest of the day in camp enjoying the spectacular evening and watched the sun set to the west.


Join me next time and read about our ascent of Mount Cleveland and the crazy people we met along the way.

CLIMBING ADVENTURE SERIES

GLACIER'S GIANT - CLIMBING MOUNT CLEVELAND

Part 1

If you climb in Glacier there is no doubt that Mount Cleveland is on your list as a “must climb.” And so it was on the list ever since my climbing partners and I started climbing. In our group are two emergency room physicians, a graduate student with wilderness medical treatment certification, and this writer.

It is said that Mount Cleveland is a difficult peak to climb and that certainly may be true. One thing I know for sure is that the route we chose was the most difficult bushwhack we had ever experienced. In the beginning, it all had seemed so simple. A short hike, an elk trail, a backcountry camp site, climb the next morning, stay at the Goathaunt Shelter, and ride the boat back to Waterton on day three.

 We enjoyed the nice boat ride on the International from Waterton to Goathaunt with all of the tourists. The narration from the staff added a bit of knowledge about the international border and we got to see some more incredible peaks that we need to climb. The nearly hour long ride was definitely worth the money when compared to the 9-plus mile hike required to reach the Goathaunt Ranger Station.

We checked in with the border patrol and even got a cool mountain goat stamp on our passports. A quick adjustment of packs and off we went at an easy pace covering the nearly 3 miles to Camp Creek in about 40 minutes.

A Climber’s Guide to Glacier National Park indicated that there was a climber’s trail that follows elk trails to the great open basin below the west face of Mount Cleveland.

Unfortunately, we did not find that trail. So began the first deviation from the trip plan.

Visit the BLOG again to read the next part of the adventure.

Is It Spring Yet?



 The winter doldrums have set upon the Land of the Shining Mountains.  Generally in northwestern Montana we have cloudy day upon cloudy day.  Occasionally though the sun does shine and gets me thinking about spring.



 The pending arrival of spring has most of us thinking about new beginnings.  I get an increased motivation to train for summer activities and also fight that mid-winter accumulation of insulation.  I still can remember the pain I felt in previous years when I was not fit enough to hit the scree slopes in Glacier.  The avoidance of pain is a great motivator.



 Here are some things I do to motivate myself to keep plugging away at that fitness.



 1)      I make a list of peaks I want or need to climb this year.



 2)      Set small fitness goals to achieve along the way to fitness such as run 4 miles in less than 32 minutes or run for 40 minutes 4 times per week.  Set your own personal goals based upon your fitness level and ability.  For example, I would love to run 5:20 minute miles again like I did in high school, but that is not realistic.  So instead I shoot for 7 minute miles which are an achievable goal for me.



 3)      Take advantage of the occasional sunny day and reward yourself by escaping outside for a nice run or walk or ride instead of hitting the gym.  Sunshine does the body good.



 4)      Change up the exercise routine.  Instead of doing one cardio machine at the gym for 30 minutes try to do three or more machines at an increased rate of exertion for 10 minutes each.  Or if the gym is not crowded try hitting 7 machines for 5 minutes each.



 5)      Make yourself accountable by using a program such as RunKeeper.  Form a group with friends and make it a fun competition.



 6)       Nordic or backcountry skiing, as well as snowshoeing, can prove to be excellent cardio training for future summer activities.  Find a place that has some hills and hike, climb, or snowshoe up and down.  Train for what you will be doing in the summer.



Most of all keep yourself motivated by making it fun.  You do not have to get in shape all in the same day or week.  As a post-workout treat I use Recoverite from Hammer Nutrition.  I find that using Recoverite helps me feel like I can do it all again tomorrow.  Recoverite works by rebuilding muscle tissue and restoring muscle glycogen.



I have a link to Hammer Nutrition on my web page, www.climbglacier.com, for a discount on your first order from Hammer Nutrition.



 Get out there and get ready!


Blake

• Okay this blogging thing is not going very well for me.  My buddy Jake Bramante from Hike 734 insisits that blogging is a good thing.  I have to trust you Jake as you have never steered me wrong. Now it seems that is has been another number of months since I blogged and I am thinking about working on the fourth volume of the series.It is January in Montana and the winter doldrums have set in.  Here at home I usually wake to clouds and turn on the porch lights to lighten the night due to clouds.  However, this year we have been a bit spoiled with some treats of sunshine, just not enough at the right times of the week.  The sun shines when I am working.