Glacier Mountaineering Society

Fri, Jul 22 2005 - Mt. Oberlin (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Stephen Smith
Participants:		Stephen Smith

Write Up:
It was a pleasure participating in this first annual J. Gordon Edwards Climbing Day. At 9:00 a.m. the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot was buzzing with numerous GMS members preparing for one of the six climbs planned for that day in memory of Gordon. My group was preparing to climb Mt. Oberlin and consisted of Marie Blunk, Karen Blunk, Kate Bryan, Paul Cammer, George Garnett, Linda Garnett, Bill Hedglin, Tony Scheidt, Brian Scheidt, Logan Smith, Henry Smith, Stephen Smith and Sue Smith. The group’s ages varied considerably, from two to seventy-one! I quickly realized Marie Blunk should have been the coordinator after she told me she had summited Oberlin more than a couple dozen times – fortunately she did agree to be co-coordinator that day.

We had a pleasant stroll through the lower meadows before accessing the climber’s trail through the scree. There were still a few patches of snow to cross even this late in the summer. I had the bright idea of bringing along my visiting mom Sue Smith (seventy-one years of age) who had never climbed a mountain before. After all, Gordon wrote that Oberlin is “probably the shortest and easiest climb in Glacier” and is only 1.5 miles to the top. Mom claims it was a herculean effort for her since the elevation gain is 1,500 ft, but she praises the other climbers in the group were most accommodating and contributed to her success in reaching the summit. From what she tells me it was an experience she will never forget, including the long lunch on top with her grandchildren chasing each other around the summit block – making her and Paul Cammer nervous.

The overall climb was a perfect representation of the typical scenery and camaraderie we enjoy as a GMS group in the mountains. Throughout the climb, we enjoyed observing our fellow GMS groups on the surrounding summits of Clements, Reynolds, and Bishop’s Cap. From climbers experiencing a Glacier summit for the first time to experienced mountaineers reliving memories, Gordon would have definitely been proud of all the climbers at Logan Pass that day.

Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Tim Anderson at twamontana@gmail.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.