Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sun, Jun 13 2010 - Goat Mountain (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Larry Hiller, Laurel R. Vielle
Participants:		Linda Soper, Laurel R. Vielle, Lisa Easton, Ron Gruber, Ralph Thornton, Tim Horan, Franz Barthel, Joe Schletz, Larry Hiller, Frank Wesolovski, Alan Gregory, John E. Salois, Matt Marcinek

Write Up:
Our patience with northwest Montana spring weather was wearing thin, but we were finally rewarded with a picture-perfect day for the Goat Mountain climb. After our rendezvous at the Park Cafe, our large group gathered again at Sunrift Gorge and headed up the Siyeh Pass Trail. After our obligatory hike through the trees, we were greeted with unobstructed views of Baring Creek running fast and furious as it cut its way down through the rock. The high, snowy peaks in the background formed a classic Glacier canvas. After passing the large, dark reddish cliff band on the east side, we broke off-trail and began the uphill trek to the peak. The open vegetated slopes allowed the group to safely spread out and everyone to proceed at their own comfortable pace. As we headed up towards the peak, we were treated to a spectacular show on the east face of Going-to- the-Sun Mountain. The morning sun had sufficiently warmed the snow to trigger avalanches on the face. As the slides came down, they picked up speed and rock, pouring like waterfalls through slots in the cliff band. The thunderous noise gave notice of each new avalanche breaking free of the face. The gathering around the summit cairn was a lingering affair perfect for lunching, napping, chatting and photography. It’s always difficult to depart from such a pleasant perch. We descended via the gully route hoping to glissade. The snow was too soft to boot-ski but a little bottom-sliding was doable. We stopped again on the vegetated slope for another lingering view of Going-to-the Sun. We spotted a lone climber on the steep, precarious snow fields to the north who was having a very unique adventure. No matter -- we were quite contented with our own very special day in the park.

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.