Metcalf Mtn TR

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Messages 1 - 9 of total 9 in this topic
the museum

Trad climber
Rapid City
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 28, 2009 - 11:11pm PT
On a recent road trip to Montana we climbed Metcalf Mtn, 12,019' in the Beartooth Mountains. This is the peak west of the Glacier Lake Trailhead the the end of Rock Creek, south of Red lodge.

From the trailhead hike to the vicinity of the dam. Make a quick forest whack west 500 yards before the dam. Once up on open country aim west for about a mile to a buttress on the south side of the peak and especially toward a black rock section with some grass to the right. Ascend the grass to the tundra at 11,000'. Head west on fantastic boulders and tundra to the summit. There is some tricky going after the forest whack. If you're too high you get to skirt a mile of boulders. Too low and you get to add 600' to your quick ascent of the grass. You pick. The boulders are all good. No Colorado scree.

In the destroyed register there were about 6 names per year. None this year 'cause there was no pencil. Most of the entries were from Billings and Bozeman. Someone from Billings go up there and take a new register - and a pencil.

Also, an old map of mine says this is Wapti Pk. My new map says Mt Waples. The summit register says Metcalf Mtn - and that is the name in the old Caffery guidebook.

Check it out.

Captions on top people.

The early trail to the lake/dam.


Back toward the road.


Above the forest whack.


On the rock whack - we chose the high road.


The grassy slope.


mrs. museum on the summit block.


South to Wyoming (which is only about 400 yards away)


The next door neighbor, Spirit Mtn.


This is a pic from last year, Metcalf in plain view.


the end

mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Jul 29, 2009 - 12:11am PT
Sweet, cool looking trip!
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Sep 17, 2009 - 06:53pm PT
"I missed this but it's oh so good bump"!


Cheers!
Zander

Trad climber
Berkeley
Sep 17, 2009 - 07:10pm PT
Hey, I missed this too.
Thanks for the TR Mr. Museum
Zander
the museum

Trad climber
Rapid City
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 19, 2009 - 11:03pm PT
Hey thanks you three, Metcalf was a super fun time. We'll head back there for a different peak next year for sure...

And TK long time no see!
Ezra

Social climber
WA, NC, Idaho Falls
Sep 19, 2009 - 11:38pm PT
Nice pics y'all!
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Sep 19, 2009 - 11:56pm PT
As usual, wonderful photos!
Thanks for sharing!
hooblie

climber
Sep 20, 2009 - 01:34pm PT
steady hitter's, those museums. congrats. that last pic from the previous year shows the post season view of some wonderful spring ski descents available by skating out along the edge of the plateau and dropping in on the coluior of choice, most of which are out of frame to the left. ethicly speaking, being in position shortly after dawn allows for a nice spray of corn rather than ruining the slope with pinwheel "death cookies" for tomorrow's crew. formidable cornice action commonplace to encourage adherance to the timeline.

that pile of rocks reminds me of the education i got bearing a corner of a litter down the moraine in the adjacent branch of the headwater. if your're going to blow up
a stove between your legs don't allow your buddies to throw you in an alpine lake at dusk. oh and lose some weight.
tragicly, a medivac chopper crashed into glacier lake in '80, so no getting lifted out, at least for a while.

there are many boulders around the country with gill's name on them. the rock creek mainfork boulders, fact or fiction... stories?... mr. jogill
the museum

Trad climber
Rapid City
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 20, 2009 - 02:19pm PT
A medivac copter crashed into Glacier Lake? In 1980?!

That is crazee!
Messages 1 - 9 of total 9 in this topic
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