montanapalooza 2002

“Would that be grape jello in the lake or just hiker funk?”

“My guess would be a little of both.

Or maybe a lot of both!”

“I was wondering why Crazy mike was so quiet lately, lol. Great pics, thanks for posting em!”

“...as long as it ain't hiker spunk...”

“Got a call from Prowler yesterday afternoon. He went back to Arizona (?) and picked up his wife and kids. They are hiking in to Rainbow Lake to meet them for the last night out.

He doesn't know what a steep hike he is in for, poor guy.”

“Chief,
No kidding--backpacking to Rainbow in one day with family in tow would be a major b!itch.”

“I agree, there's alot of switchbacks to go, but that is AFTER the hot hike through the burned out section. Of course there's that long stretch without water too.”

“I distinctly recall thinking what an idiot I was for doing that trail from Alpine to Cooke City (mostly uphill) instead of the other way around (mostly downhill).

Of course, here I am planning to do the same thing again 3 years later. Go figure.

In truth, I just like ending the trip in Cooke City--what a great town to hang out in!”

“Yeah, and there's that great big pool on the Clark's Fork to take a swim in at the Cooke City Trailhead.”

“To those who made the trip.

This was to get this thread back to the top, as I know that someone will be stopping in Red Lodge to check out this thread and fill us in. Unfortunately for me I won't be able to get back to this thread until the end of the month.

Looked as though there may have been some pretty good afternoon/evening thunderstorms the last couple of nights. Hope it went OK for everyone and that everyone had a great time in 'our' wilderness.

And, it was a pleasure to meet some TT'ers and to assist in getting all to where they need be.”

“Yeah, and while it is back up on the board, all of us who couldn't make it want to let you know how much we think you guys suck for voting newgirl off the trail.

How could you crush her like this?”

“Bet they're in the Grizzly Bar in Roscoe right about now, slamming beers and cheeseburgers.

Bring us a t-shirt!”

“Probably "posed" for a few pictures they will promptly post somewhere as "evidence" of the trip, then spent the remainder of the trip getting sloshed and editing their version of the "trip" report.

I bet newgirl refused to go along with this plot and that's why she got booted off.”

“LOL! You are too funny Chili. I am actually busy at work today, so I will write you a e-mail tonight.”

“Ok, where are they?

There is a rumor on another thread that there are axe murderers at the other bacpacker site.

You don't suppose....”

“I'm wondering what's up too Gearjunkie?!”

“The Montanapalooza closing ceremonies were held last night at the red lodge KOA and pizza in Billings. Friday's events on the trail out included the TT- Hot Shot fire crew fighting a fire at Rainbow Lake and hauling that sorry-assed, MF Prowler (who decided to show up the last night) off the mountain. I'll have more information soon on my "Ban Prowler " thread.

In spite of Prowler's attempt to sabotage the trip on the last night, we had an excellent time. i was impressed with how well prepared and adaptable everyone was. We weathered storms, mosquitos, fires, high altitude and rocky trails. The wildflowers were in full bloom and the waterfalls were spectacular!!

We'll have hundreds of pics posted soon and I'll get the trip report out when I get organized here.

Great Trip Everyone!!”

“Welcome home. We eargerly await the legends of Montanapalooza 2002.”

“Glad you're back!
Be sure and include anything I need to know re: trail conditions since I'm heading there in 10 days.”

“eargerly? arrgggh”

“Glad to hear everything turned out Aero! I did in fact make it out of the mtns. in 3 hrs. on Tues. I was really proud of myself.

That is soooo scary that you guys ran across a fire. I was super nervous about that. Thanks for everything, it was great times!”

“prowler started a fire?”

“No . . . he didn't start the fire, he just hiked in to meet them from the out take side of the trail (which is steeeeeep as hell).”

“I'm hanging out at aero's Saturday morning waiting for the 4:30ish flight which Navi-guesser and I will be taking to slc. At that point we will part ways and I guess Montanapalooza 2002 will be really over.

I must say that the locals (Geezer, newgirl, Chief and most especially aero) are beyond compare when it comes to hospitality. They all went above and beyond the call of duty to make this a great trip.

I will count on others for "real" trail reports - I'll just note a few highlights:

I almost laughed my a$$ when jerbear and Briar Rabbit sang "Age of Aquarius" to Crazy Mike" to try to get him more "at one" with the universe.

The thunderstorm at the top of the world on Windy Lake was amazing. I would have been uncomfortable in my house in that storm, and there I was alone in my tent which was threatening to roll down the hill with every blast.

Fighting the fire with the TT HotShots, lead by our fearless leader, Briar Rabbit. I honestly think we made a difference for a bunch of people and a whole forest on that one.

Eating the birthday cake Om made for Phil on the 16th. Yes, Phil, we sounded like a buncha angels as we belted out the song for you!!!

Meeting the legendary Gojo and Jerbear.

Watching the legendary Gojo put the moves on the other Friendly Ranger (note: he was so smitten that he couldn't remember anything she had said)

and on and on....

More tales to follow.

Now back home this afternoon. It will be nice to sleep in my own bed but I sure had the time of my life!!!”

“sitting here at the cooke city sinclair, after having spent the night at aeros cabin with snow nymph and dude,,,we are headed to Cody and then the Winds.

what an amazing journey! too much to say here and now....
The trip went way beyond my wildest dreams....
i am sure the tales will all be told....
satchitananda QI JAI~~~~~~
this trip was a big OM~~~~~~~”

“I'm glad it went so well you guys. I hope that we do something again next year and I hope I can do the whole thing!”

“Thanks Dave for everything! Got laundry done, packs are repacked and we're off to Cody, drop the truck off at the exit trailhead, meet OM, and get a ride to the entry trailhead (Thanks OM!) for our 12 day Wind Rivers Range trip.

It was fun meeting everyone! Us TTers can handle major rainstorms, hordes of mosquitos, fighting wildfires, medical emergencies, and even Crazy Mike! :-)

It was truly an awesome trip! Montana kicks all forms of A$$!! Looking forward to hiking with you again!

There's Harley's everywhere in Cooke City and Red Lodge!

We'll be back in CA on Aug 6th. Pics will be posted soon after.”

“The scenery, as always, was spectacular.
The events will be unforgetable.
But for me, making new friends is the highlight of the trip.

Aero
Snow Nymph
SnowDude
Jerbear
Hodgeman of BC
Newgirl
pepperDog
Crazy Mike
Tex
SB
Briar Rabbit
OM
Gojo
Navi
Chief
Gordon

Martyb, and others who weren't able to attend but helped the rest of us have a great time, THANKS to you all as well.

OK, off to wash five days of trail from gear.

Aero, what can I say . . .”

“So everyone made it out alive? DARN!

There goes our reputation!

How can we be the must bloodthirsty, nutso-gonzo group on the 'Net without at least ONE measly human sacrifice?”

“Do you think it should have been CRAZY MIKE? Couldn't you just see him chasing after a bear? [Rest of the story later.]”

“Ban Prowler?

I smell a story.
C'mon, bring it!”

“It's impossible for me to say, Mister Stump! I wasn't there, LOL”

“Major green with envy here! Congratulations on what sounds like a great trip.”

“Hi All - I'm sitting in "Surf and Play" (the only internet access in Spokane, Washington) with a bunch of video game playing 15 year olds.

A great big "Thanks" to Aero, Geezr, Chief and everyone that made this such a fantastic trip. And 'No', Prowler is 'not' on that list!

It was great to meet another bunch of TTer's and I can't wait to hike with any of you, again. And 'No', Prowler's not in that group either!

I hope you all have a safe trip home and I can't wait to see all of the pictures!

Aero - You are da man!! Awesome trip!!

I'll check back in, after dinner (for lack of anything else to do in Spokane!)..... that is, if I can stand the music and gunplay going on, in this place!”

“Well, I narrowed the trip down to 72 photos. Here they are . . .

Montanapalooza Trip Pics 1

Montanapalooza Trip Pics 2”

“Day 1- 7/13- The crew begins to arrive in Montana, some to Cooke City, others to Billings for a pre-pre-hike party. Hodgeman arrives from B.C., then Gojo, Naviguesser, Pepperdog, Briar Rabbit, Geezr, Newgirl, Crazy Mike and SB all descend on Billings. Txwoodswoman is delayed. The thermometer reads 107 degrees. Lawn chairs and cold beers litter my front lawn. After dinner and drinks at the local pub, we bed down for the night. Gojo wisely chooses my front steps on a hot evening. Sarabelle and Gizmo guard the body.

Day 2- 7/14- Off to Red Lodge bright and early. Our headaches are only a dull throb as we head towards the mountains rising to the west. We meet up with Chief, his friend and Sam Elliot look-alike, Gordon, and our own Jerbear at the Red Lodge Café. Crazy Mike is beside himself; the trip is "Kicking all forms of ass" so far. While Geezr, Chief and I make the 80 mile round-trip shuttle to East Rosebud the other 'paloozers shop for cheap, Montana trinkets in Red Lodge. We arrive back in Red Lodge for the trip over the Beartooth Scenic Highway. Chief taps the keg of Amber Bock packed in ice in the garbage can lashed to the back of his pickup for the moving party to Cooke City. The beer only seems to enhance our ability to drive the switchbacks along the steep mountain road. We dine on Bison burgers and brats at the cabin Sunday night, kill off the keg and head to bed.

OM arrives at the cabin just after midnight. She steps out of her rental car and gazes upward at the bright canopy of stars overhead in the dark, Montana night, only to lock her keys in her rental car; still running with the headlights and stereo on. Navi and Briar Rabbit quickly leap into action and within 10 minutes, with the help of a Geologist's hammer, break into OM's car with only minor damage. The TT group would learn in the following days that the resourceful Briar Rabbit is skilled in other areas as well.”

“pepperDog is back in the loving paws of her happy dogs!! The flight to SLC was made bearable by my seatmate (thanks, Navi). I miss everyone already. Where are we going next??”

“Hey pepDog - Glad to see that you got home okay. I enjoyed the ride, yesterday. You're welcome in my passenger seat, anytime..... How 'bout Canada?”

“Geezr- Great pics. Great timing on the lightning picture!! Loved it!”

“Impressive. I didn't think you guys could pull it off with the large number of people who originally committed. My apologies. I look forward to the pictures. Was the ski hill still operating up there?”

“Great pics Geezr. I'll be there tomorrow. That offer to crash at your house still good? LOL I really felt bad about missing out at the last minute and hearing and seeing what a great time you guys had just makes me feel worse. Thanks a lot!!! LOL”

“Those were very cool pics, geezr!”

“Hey Geezr - Ya got some good shots there, for sure. Geez, I haven't even seen mine yet... Hopefully, I'll have some on the website by Monday or Tuesday.

BTW, thanks again for letting me crash at your place. I wish I'd got a shot, of those prong-horn antelope walking down your street.”

“Cool pics Geezr! Mine are uploading real slow so I'm enjoying yours for now.

Had a great time with all you guys!”

“thanks for the pics dude.(in my most sarcastic voice)








now im gonna have to go on another trip i can't afford”

“Great pictures, Geezer. Takes me right back.

Hodgeman - what an offer!!! (the passenger seat and Canada both). I hear a lot of great musicians come from Canada.”

“You're right about the musicians, Pep. Next time you can drive..... the CD player that is.”

“Hodge - you are going to have to get over that control thing....”

“just a quick one to say that the "crazy one" and I made it back in one piece!

Many thanks to aero, geezr and newgirl for putting together one trip that I'll NEVER forget! And geezr . . . don't worry, you'll be ok! (vbg)

more to come after zzzzzzzzzzz”

“gforce rocks!!!! He saved my butt at many a stream crossing (and restrained himself from photographing me falling into the first crossing). A true gentleman.

By the way, he used to be sb but we renamed him.”