Glacier National Park Chat

Sad news that Ranger Lyle Ruterbories, long-time Ranger at Kintla Lake, has passed away at the age of 102. A wonderful person and a great asset to the Park for so many years. He certainly made us feel welcome at Kintla.

https://hungryhorsenews.com/news/2022/d ... ger-dies-/

Thanks for this news.
I met him one summer. He was charming, exceedingly gracious, showed me the prized postcard and photo collection he kept in his truck, then excused himself to move more wheelbarrows of something. He left a legacy, for those who care to inform themselves.

He was a force in the campground, and I feel lucky to have met him. Great guy and funny.

My trip report from 2013 mentions him and the WI women.

http://www.glacier.nationalparkschat.co ... =11&t=8008

Jay

Everytime I was up at Kintla campground he would come over and talk to me and others I was with. Nice guy who led an amazing life. By the way, that article mentions Ranger Lyle routinely day hiking the Kintla to Bowman loop and notes that it's over 20 miles. It is much farther than 20 miles, more like 36 miles. Not too many 20 year olds can do that as day hike. And he was doing it in his 70s, 80s and 90s.

Paul, I thought the same thing for many years, but when I read the article, I got the feeling he was ferried by boat to the head of Kintla and picked up from the head of Bowman. Still, a long day.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Jay

Hi Jay,

I know for sure that he did that full hike at least once because he told me about it. As he told it to me, when he first came to be a ranger when he was in his 70s, the head ranger wanted to test him so he asked Lyle to meet him at Kintla early in the morning. The two of them hiked the entire loop that day and Lyle got the job.

Now, does it mean that he hiked the entire loop routinely, probably not, he probably got ferried by boat most times at least when he was older. But from the story he told me it seemed like he hiked the entire loop on that occasion. In any case it's a long difficult hike to do in a day.

Paul

Thanks Paul. You and I heard the same story, and I may have heard "32 miles" since they also did the spur to Hole in the Wall. To do that in your 70s.....man. I looked at trying to do that and it's pretty intimidating since you can't carry much if your legs or feet give out.

Jay

I met a guy this year at Boulder Pass, who said he did the whole hike this summer as a day hike. He looked to be in his 30s. He was a wirey guy who liked to climb mountains.