2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Glacier presents some great photographic opportunities, talk about it here.

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crh24
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by crh24 »

Pete or anyone, have you been in the park at all within the past few weeks?

I've been watching the webcams daily, and looks like to me there's haze everyday - it's just a matter how bad it is. The west side of GNP looks worse than the east side, e.g., Two Medicine, generally speaking, as far as I can tell... Logan Pass looks pretty smokey. The webcams in MG haven't been updating for a spell, but I assume similar there, too...

I cancelled my two week trip since it's a 23 hour drive, and if I have two weeks of view obstructing haze, it'd be disappointing. I think I'll go to the Smokies for two weeks during fall foliage in October instead...

For folks that have been our or are heading out, crossing my fingers for you that you luck with favorable winds...and the west coast gets rain!

-Craig
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by crh24 »

oops...you posted on 7/28.... I didn't refresh....
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by crh24 »

Beautiful Pete. Thanks for sharing Iceberg.... There are good days to be had. :D Glad you got one!
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by davidwayne »

Nice, Pete!! Beautiful. :)
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by Jay w »

Pete, glad you got up to Shangri La. Great hike and you hit a clear day, but it sounds like it was hot. Of course 80F in the sun is hot for me. So any comment on why you needed 4 liters. I assume you filtered once you got to the lake.

Jay
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by PeteE »

Jay w wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 7:40 pm Pete, glad you got up to Shangri La. Great hike and you hit a clear day, but it sounds like it was hot. Of course 80F in the sun is hot for me. So any comment on why you needed 4 liters. I assume you filtered once you got to the lake.

Jay
Yeah Jay, we got very lucky this past Monday in getting clear air in the AM.
The DT on Sunday was ok but still quite hazy.
I don't see how the air is going to clean up unless we get a front that brings a good rain---and with NO lightening.
I don't see any such system in my reading.
It is EXTREMELY DRY out here. The weak dry(ish) T-Storms that might come this way next week could easily start new fires.
*****************************************************************************************************
I've done ShangriLa 24-25 times I think now since 2010 when NDJason showed me the way.
Three times in 8 days one year.
This trip was pretty tough on the geezer.

I'm pretty certain the main cause of my fatigue was simply being "out of shape".
And personally, I need to hydrate a lot more when I'm out of shape.
Working hard in that oppressive heat of the "jungle section", and the hike up the creek probably screwed with my electrolytes.
I knew this would be a tough day after my consumption doing the Dragons Tail False Summit.

I drank 2 liters+ doing the DT---and it's pretty easy. Soooo...
I asked Dan to make sure he brought his filter which he did--God bless him.
Without Dan's filter, I would have been "dipping" from the creek on.
I still 'dipped" about 1/2 liter when crossing the creek, unsurprisingly way down.

Soooooo we proceeded at a pace to accommodate me for which I'm gratefull.
Jackson, the 11 year old, proved to be quite agile and a capable hiker and scrambler!
Keep in my that Dan and Family had done Grinnell Glacier and the DT the two days prior.
The boy is fearless and can go.

And here I would like to say something ....
The scramble up through "the ledges", normally the most enjoyable part of the ascent, just wore me out.
I drank another liter in that section. And then I stumbled bushwhacking through the trees over near the creek.

I hooked my right boot toe under something because I failed to "lift my f'ing foot".
Left knee hit a rock giving me my usual superficial laceration and bruising below my kneecap.
An inch higher I'd have kneecapped myself. Scary thought considering where I was.
Bruised the heel of left hand putting it down to mitigate impact on knee.
Bottom line was another rip and more bloodstain in my clothes.

"Fatigue" is what led to my stumbling. It did serve as a wakeup call to keep hydrating and pace myself.
I was happy when we got to the point on the scree to descend.
I drank more water at the lake. Quads burning from coming down.
We had a good rest at the lake before going back. Filtered more water at the bridge.
By the way, Dan was doing ALL the filtering for everyone. High Fives to Dan.
Then it was simply a "march" back to Swiftcurrent---drinking small amounts frequently during rest stops.

That night I would get cramps in feet, calves, thighs, even my fingers(probably aggravated by arthritus)

So there you have it...how I turned into a weenie in 2 days. 8)

pete

Dan Lowery and his family are terrific folks.
It was a pleasure showing them the Dragon's Tail and ShangriLa.
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by Sue Z »

Love that photo, Pete. The inclusion of the long rock wall on the right side gives a novel perspective and context to the scene.
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by Jay w »

Since I compete in ski racing, I have pretty accurate measurement of my performance decline with age. The big reason is strength, and I was working on that last year, but this year I haven't done much strength training even though I know it will help my back. It just seems like there's not enough time in the day. Anyway, when the big muscles are not strong enough or they are fatigued, the body recruits small muscles. The small muscles tire quickly and then you lose coordination. I think the key to being in shape (whatever that is) is to never let yourself get out of shape. Easy to say, but when you age, it becomes harder and harder to get back in shape. After "poor" training one winter due to heart problems (and then a procedure), it took me three years to get back in shape, and then I never really got back to that point because I was older.

I keep telling the young folks at work, "Don't get old." They laugh. The old people say it's better than the alternative.

We'll see how the hiking goes for me. I've been trying to get out for 5 mile walks and that's giving me some mild shin splints. Really? I mean really? I can bike 50 miles but a walk makes me sore. I can hear it now, you can bike 50 miles? Quit yer bitching.

Jay
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by PeteE »

I believe you are correct Jay.

Thank you all!

More bad news LOLOLOL!
Had to order a new(rebuilt) transmission.
The "loaner" from work is the old 80's Dodge pickup.
I cannot travel out of the valley for as long as week to 10 days.
Maybe more depending on how long the transmission takes to arrive etc.
Sucks but nothing I can do.
I MIGHT be able to borrow the Boss's F250 again for a day, but that depends on whether or not he may need it--unknowable most of the time.

Smoke is bad again today.
The weather services BS people imo. They will say "Sunny" and it is. It's also smoky.
They loth saying anything about "smoke" unless the smoke is sooo bad they can't ignore it. Discourages tourism, ya know? 8)
Again, that's my opinion.


pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by TamandKev »

Hey Pete,
I enjoyed your Shangri-La trip report and beautiful picture. I’m sorry the hike was a struggle in some parts but admire your honesty, determination and skill. Shangri-la is still on our bucket list. We were sorry we missed you this trip, but hope to catch up in another year or two. Next year we plan on Alaska for our 40th Anniversary trip. It’s hard to skip a year away from GNP but hopefully we will be back in 2023.
Always great to read your reports.
Take care,
Tam and Kev
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by Chip »

Pete
So sorry to hear of your truck issues. I really liked your Shangri La description and now not so unhappy about not being able to do that this year with you. No sense in having 2 weenies on a hike like that anyway :D
Chip (Ken)
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by PeteE »

Chip wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:37 am Pete
So sorry to hear of your truck issues. I really liked your Shangri La description and now not so unhappy about not being able to do that this year with you. No sense in having 2 weenies on a hike like that anyway :D
Chip (Ken)
hi Ken:

The transmission had 250,000+ miles so it was no surprise.
It'll end up costing right at $3000 for a New(rebuilt) transmission.
3 year unlimited mileage(within the three years) warranty.
Delivery time is 10-14 days...so they say.
So I'll be stuck staying home for a couple weeks. The company "beater" I have doesn't leave town 8)

I'd do ShangriLa tomorrow if I felt I was fit enough....AND the temperature was near normal....AND the air was clear.
I'm just not going to do anything difficult(for me) until both conditions in the park AND my own condition improve.

I have your bear sprays for you. I weighed them all last week. I have a cooler and ice for you too.
I now have to work most Friday afternoons putting up liquor in the liquor store(same building as casino)
I'll send directions on how to get to the casino without going through town--which can be nasty on a Friday afternoon.
The "By-Pass" is a few miles longer but about same time with far less hassle and traffic lights.
And I'll give you directions for a route back to GNP that will avoid most of downtown Kalispell and all of CFalls.

That's about all I can do for you.
See ya Friday

pete :wink:

PS
I hate to say it but the smoke is still very bad here in the valley.
East side doesn't look any better on web cams
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by Chip »

Pete
Thanks. I have to go to Wal Mart first then you. Then Libby area for a night and returning to Hungry Horse Saturday night. Our Park adventure starts Sunday morning. I see weather is suggesting it will be cooler with 24% chance of rain each day. Maybe that will clear it out some for everybody. But then again It might rain or might not and might be warmer but it could also be cooler. So bring all the gear and hope you dont need it.

See you Friday afternoon.
Ken
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by PeteE »

I'm sick of this chat and about to dump it.
I had a fairly long post with a picture and when I posted it I got a f'ing server error and lost the post.
It really pisses me off since it's hard for me to type these days.
Yeah, yeah I should have copied the whole post before posting.
Here's a snap from the Wild Goose parking lot.
MAYBE, I'll try again later....

I saw three different black bears driving the Sun Road.
Turned out it was 3 different bears. The third one was much larger than the second one in retrospect.

Sorry, I have to re-edit this bear video. It was screwed up. :?

Nothing done in post processing other than lighten shadows some and reducing contrast a little.
It can probably be made better.

Camera Sony ILCA-77M2
Lens DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length 55.0 mm (82.0 mm in 35mm)
Aperture f/11
Exposure Time 0.125s (1/8)
ISO 125
Image
Last edited by PeteE on Sat Sep 25, 2021 1:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2020 "Snaps" Around Glacier National Park

Post by paul »

It looks like it's getting chilly there. Snow in the mountains and all.
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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