Glacier National Park Trip

“How can you not be impressed with that Dub?

I want to see a grizzly...and I don't want to see a grizzly.”

“I don't want to see a grizzly... and I DON'T WANT TO SEE A GRIZZLY.

Once on the trail was enough.”

“Awesome picture!!!!!!!!

'32oz”

“Thanks a lot harman! I had a terrible nightmare last night about grizzly bears. :(”

“I've had a few of those while camping in Glacier.”

“The strange thing is that most Montana natives that I have talked to are way more worried about the cats.”

“so what's the verdict? driving in spam's suburban, or flying???”

“I will be posting my itinary this weekend, but I am looking at hiking dates of Monday August 10th thru Friday August 14th..

I will be out in the area by Late Friday/Early Sat the 7th-8th so I can pick anyone up that is flying...

I will have a rental car and will be in the Seattle Area as well so i can pick people up. We will probably need 2 cars depending on what trip we take (there is a shuttle service provided by the park, but while it goes to Logan Pass, it doesn't service the other end of the hike).. We will use Sunday as a shuttle day on the front end of the trip and Saturday on the tail end..

'32oz

I don't know if Spam is driving or not..”

“Now the third place I've posted this...

BUT - if you need anything from a local, I'm in Kalispell, MT. Glad to help out if/when I can. We're 15 minutes (tops) from Glacier/Kalispell Airport. Depending on the day of the week, I can help w/getting people to/from the park.

I can also help with pizza & beer :)”

“BEER did you say BEER!!!”

“Yes! I said beer. I went there.”

“Hey 32oz! LMG said to tell you she has beer/transport if you want it.

Oh. nebbermind...

;)”

“I plan to take 10-days vacation during this time, plan to fly into the local area (Butte/Helena) and I have been wondering about logistics of getting together. We can talk more as we get closer. Hey Spam! any trees for us hangers?”

“Although I am not 100% sure, I don't think you can hang. In fact the tent areas are supposed to be so small, you have to use 2, 2 person tents, rather than 4, solo tents. From what I have heard, most campsites are cut out of roto and are made for groups of 4 so we will probably have to split into two groups of 4 and do different hikes. Maybe 32oz knows more.”

““Yes! I said beer. I went there.”

and no one has proposed to you here yet? wow. lol”

“LMG.. I appreciate your offer!!!

Right now I am still trying to get all of my ducks in a row (or is on the pond)..


From what I have been told, Mocs is correct.. We will be carrying 4 two man tents.. (I have heard somewhere, that people were able to cram 4 one mans on a pad but it was a huge pain...

I will be sending the permit in in a few weeks and we can see what we get.. If we like what we're permitted for, we can do that hike, if not we can hash out an alternative trip or day hikes...

I will be flying into Seattle in late July, as I have some 'business' to take care of over there.. (which reminds me... Spindle, how is the ladies side of the Mount Rainier plans going?)..

I will be heading towards MT the Friday before this hike and can pick up people wherever..

LMG I will definately be in touch when I see what our trip looks like.. Thanks again..”

“Is there anything that you need me to do or that I can help with 32oz? If so just let me know.”

“I am assuming that we are going to have to break up into 2 groups of 4, and then each group of four split into 2 groups of 2 that share a tent? I am only asking because I don't have a two person tent anymore, but there have been a few on sale that have cought my eye lately.”

“Most of the sites are small and tight. Even the wrong choice of 2 man tents could make set up a problem. My solo tent was perfect.

Actually I never saw one site that had Rhododendron. It was mostly pine and deciduous.

Make sure you tuck your pass under straps, the wind took mine on Red Gap Pass. I had a serious argument at one site after a guy threatened to destroy my tent because he would not believe me when I said I was not stealth camping.

Don't hit the trail too early or you might find who dropped this...
”

“Mocs,

I will be turning in an application for 8 people... We will need 2 camp sites at each of the camping areas. (This will make it a little tougher to get it approved, as some of the camping areas allow for only 2 reserved campsites.. The rest are first come first served).. I figured for $30 it was worth the gamble as there is a route I would really love to do.

If we get the permit, we can all hike together (or at least camp together), and yes, we will need 4 2-man tents.

If we dont get the permit, then we can figure out how we are going to play it.

In about a month a will send out a private email to all those signed-up to see if they are still a go... It would be a lot easier to get an application approved for only 1 camp site (4 people) then for 2 campsites.. So if people are going to bail it would be better to do it now... I realize emergencies come up, but I don't want July rolling around and we are down to 4 people...

I will finally have some down time this weekend, and will get the hike that I am trying to get permitted for on the trip page..

(I will be looking for a good deal on a hubba hubba or quarter dome as well)

'32oz”

“I have a Mtn Hardware Approach 2-man”

“I have a Eureka Apex (a little heavy) and if I'm nice I think I can get my hands on a Hubba hubba.. but I would have to be vrey nice...

'32oz”

“I don't know if this has already been posted.

At Glacier it is "4 persons per site" and each site is "designed to hold 2 tents". It is in their wording that it is 2 people per tent.

The sites are pretty cramped if you are thinking 4 solo tents. We had 3 tents in 2007 and were jammed in pretty good. No ranger gave us a hassle though.”

“thanks for the confirmation chin.. that is the info i was going by..

'32oz”

“I have Quarter Dome 2 UL. Hey what happen with Spam, did he drop out?”

“I have dropped out but here is the reason why.I really hate to tell you all but the fact is that my business is struggling and I really cannot afford to go this year. I kinda put myself in a bind by going to Alaska this past summer which I do not regret at all because it was an awesome trip and I thought that I could pull off a big trip this year but things have kept coming up that are beyond my control. I'm sorry I know that I got this thing going but my Crystal Ball wasn't working!!!Plus the way that this trip is still not planned with the lottery and all drives me freakin crazy!”

“I hear you Spam, everything is tough these days. I am not 100% anymore either as I am looking for a new job, and might not can get the time off like before. At this point I am just hoping it wont be an issue. I hope your business picks up.

BTW: If you get your crystal ball working, can I borrow it for a few days!”

“32oz

A couple of things that were suggested to me were:

A. Split into two groups of 4 as you will have a much better chance than with a big group of 8.

B. Get a passport so you can enter the park from the Canadian side. Supposedly, if you have that ability, that many dont, it helps to get one of the northern loops.”

“I hope things can turn around soon. I'm feeling it to, were on 4 day weeks thru Feb. and only working 2 days the last week.”

“No problem Mocs...it's in the shop right now!!!

John I hope you guys pick back up too!!!”

“We have cut back to 4 days also. I will not be flying anywhere this summer. Hope you all have a great trip. Hope everyone's business picks up. If not I may be living in a tent for good.
last edited: 2/09/09 7:28:39 PM”

“regrettably I must resign my name from this trip also, I really was gonna go but I took a job that will be taking me to pittsburgh I wanted to go on this trip so bad too but oh well I'll be making great money instead :)”

“Pittsburgh? I used to live there..

Awesome town..

Good luck to you..

'32oz”

“I just sent an email to everyone who had signed up for the trip.. I need to know who is still definate, as I am sending in the permit next week, and need to know if i need to request 1 or 2 sites.

'32oz”

“I'm still planning on going. With the economy the way it is I won't know for sure till closer to time to go.”

“I didnt receive an email, however I am still planning on this trip”

“I can't remember.. did you say you were in or out?

Too much &*^*^^* going on.. I can't keep track any more...

'32oz”

“Hey guys.. Kinda new, on and off lurked for a while, I would love to get in on this trip. With a couple people leaving is it still full?”

“myrky..

it's full, I think.. High Maintenance is now going as well... However, I'm still working with GNP to get the route changed, and I am going to talk to them about seeing what the probablilities would be that when we get out there we get a walk up permit of pretty close to the same itinerary that I have.. If that makes sense....

stay tuned

I just got round trip airfare to Seattle WA for 280.. the summer dream trip is on...

'32oz”

“o.k. so I'm back in the drawing pitt didn't quite work out and were you high when you said this or what 32oz.

“Pittsburgh? I used to live there..

Awesome town..

Good luck to you..

'32oz”
32ozgatorade
9:36:46 AM
2/11/09

I hate pittsburgh.”

“what's wrong with pittsburgh>

the hiking sucks, but its a pretty cool city?

;32oz”

“I do thinks this a ref to a certain football team from there.”

“I have updated the trip page to reflect the Permit Itinary that I have received. Please note that it is only for 4. There are still 5 of the originals signed up. If all five still go, I will figure out a plan for myself when we get out there. (I have a few options).

The good news is we got the high trail for the last part of the trip. The bad news is that we have one helluva shuttle.. I am working on getting the first part of the trip rerouted.

I already have airline tickets, and will have a rental car (if needed). Once we determine who DEFINATELY in we can start determining who is bringing what equipment.

I should know the definate itinary by the end of the week.

Finally, our itinerary is for 8/9 - 8/13. I will be there a couple days in advance, and I don't fly home until the 18th so I would be up for some more hiking if anyone is interested..

'32oz”

“32oz - where are you flying into? When are you arriving?”

“I am actually flying into Seattle WA.. Crazy Pace and I are doing a little hiking over there as a tune up... He is flying out on Aug 4th, and then I am either going to stay in WA for a couple days, or will head East, depending on what is going on.. I plan to be in MONT no later then the 8th..

'32oz”

“Hey 32oz I'll drop from this trip so you guys will have 4, I hope you guys have a great trip. We're on short time at work and my cash was going to be tight anyway.”

“320z -> Let me know when the time gets closer and if you need a place to crash on the 8th...you are welcome at our place (I'm pretty sure we'll be around that weekend).

Spindle will vouch for me. I'm perfectly sane & respectable. Just like her.

:D”

“Sane and respectable? I can't do that... LOL

....oh wait.. I missed the 'just like her' part.. awesome...

On a serious note, would you guys be able to do some hiking?

'32oz”

“Yeah. Completely sane and respectable. *gigglesnort*

That's us. Veritable bastions of stability, models of fine upstanding moral character, and living examples of proper behavior.

Except for that one time...

Oh and she knows BEER too! And a thing or two about shelter roofs....But that's a long story.

LMG, he's MAYP. Usual standards apply. :D”

“Don't feel you have to...

I understand the funds thing though.. The Mount Rainier Cost went through the roof when people started dropping... CP and I are now splitting rental cars etc between 2 instead of 4..

I'm trying to work 2 weeks of summer school to make some extra funds...

'32oz”