TR: 9-15 to 9-17 Glacier National Park

**AsheanMT** · 09-24-2009, 10:20 AM

In the pursuit of endless winter we hiked our asses off for just a tiny bit of skiing. The snow is getting hard to find and I'm already stressed about getting my October turns in.

Who:

Yours truly and my two buddies. Erick(a good ski buddy and photog) and Dave (a good buddy and photog)

Where:

Sperry Chalet Campground, head up to Comeau pass to find snow, another night at Sperry Campground.

When:

September 15th through the 17th

Distance/Vert:
3 Days 24 miles and about 13000' vert. (round trip)

Our packs where stupid heavy. Mine was around 80lbs and included much needed items such as a martin backpackers guitar, whiskey, and about five pounds of frozen meat and veggies for an apres ski pot of jambalaya.

Doing our best Abbey Road.

What a heavy ass pack. I must be insane to bring the guitar.

Heavy or not, We were STOKED!

Once we got to camp and finished pumping water, setting up, etc. The photogs got to get some scenics.

Then it was time for music, whiskey, and some star gazing.

Dave woke early to get some more scenics

Then it was time to get hiking.
Two friends stoked to share an obsession

Some hiking scenics

It wasn't too long before we got up high.

Despite my expression, I was stoked.

Looking back down the trail.

Finally we got to Comeau Pass

Finally we found some friggin snow!!

Some old ass, sun cupped, icey snow.

Looking accross the Floral Park Traverse.

The snow was shitty but the views were great and Mr. Shralpke was stoked!

So he made his September turns

**AsheanMT** · 09-24-2009, 10:20 AM

And I followed suite

Then it was time to get back to camp.

It may have been crappy snow on low angle terrain. But it was still cause for reflection.

We ran into a friend on our way back through comeau.

And some more when we got back to camp

The jambalaya whiskey music fest began promptly after sunset

After a sore but swift hike out it was time to go home.

(yes Erick paints his toenails)

It may have not been big, steep, and full of pow. But it was fun nonetheless to get September turns with friends in my own backyard.

**smuggs** · 09-24-2009, 10:28 AM

sick guys! looks like you are riding a choppy white ocean or something with those cups.

**schindlerpiste** · 09-24-2009, 10:28 AM

Great stuff.
"I always wanted to see Montana."

**lionelhutz** · 09-24-2009, 10:31 AM

That's a great report despite the obviouse brokeback-esqu nature of the two of you sitting by the fire drinking under the setting sun while you strum a guitar...

**HotCarl** · 09-24-2009, 10:32 AM

Nice.That looks like a long hike. Did you start at Avalanche or Sprague TH? Went to Glacier for my first time a few days before you guys were there. Glacier is tits.

**AsheanMT** · 09-24-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

That's a great report despite the obviouse brokeback-esqu nature of the two of you sitting by the fire drinking under the setting sun while you strum a guitar...

Sounds like we're turning you on.

Originally Posted by HotCarl

Nice.That looks like a long hike. Did you start at Avalanche or Sprague TH? Went to Glacier for my first time a few days before you guys were there. Glacier is tits.

Started at Lake McDonald Lodge. Can't start at Avalanche unless you feel like climbing up a few thousand vert of 40+ degree scree slopes.

**BigDaddy** · 09-24-2009, 11:40 AM

Any grizzley sightings or near misses? We sat at the top of Sperry Pass eating lunch, and heard this monsterous roar 50' away just on the other side. Never saw him, but that was fine by me!

Nice hike and beautiful pics!

**skier666** · 09-24-2009, 12:06 PM

Some great visuals in there.....

**buckethead** · 09-24-2009, 12:21 PM

wow, that looks like quite the expedition...some beautiful pics, and lots more snow than i was expecting from your set-up...

at this point i'd be more than thrilled to find some old+choppy snow nearby.

great TR, props on getting some september turns in style!

**salida** · 09-24-2009, 01:00 PM

Nice. Floral park is such a great hike.

Loving the heavy backpack stoke.

**The Gnarwhale** · 09-24-2009, 01:23 PM

Way to put in the effort to keep the streak alive? Do you know Don G. at Bike Doc? He's on a multi-year streak of skiing 12mos/year.

**alto** · 09-24-2009, 02:36 PM

Nice work. I want to ski and eat, too.

**tone capone** · 09-24-2009, 02:43 PM

Almost makes up for not making it to Glacier this year. Thanks, nice pics, looks like great adventure.

**acostiga** · 09-24-2009, 07:16 PM

Awesome! I hope this Fall and beyond go well for you guys and everybody in the Flathead. Thanks for the TR and the stoke!!!

PS- I won't forget that I still owe you for that Sportsman's hook-up with my boards and the Duke brakes last year... When I make it back, we'll have to drink some beers. Cheers.

**powderwhore** · 09-25-2009, 05:17 AM

Was just there myself. Had a good time just hiking around looking for animals.

[ame="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168861"]Some photos here[/ame]

**FiveLarge** · 09-25-2009, 06:40 AM

some really beautiful scenics in there!

**smitchell333** · 09-25-2009, 08:03 AM

Very nice S!

The snow actually looks pretty good for September. Typically around here the old snow is already re-frozen hard as a rock by this time of year.