Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sat, Jul 19 2014 - Eagle Ribs & Mount Despair (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Dell Meuchel
Participants:		Dell Meuchel, Dennis Eaves, Don Arthur, Stacey Endebrock, David Endebrock, Rick Thomas, Rod Graham, John Reynolds

Write Up:
Saturday July 17th came early for GMS members Dennis Eaves, Don Arthur, Stacey Endebrock, husband David, Rick Thomas, Rod Graham and coordinator Dell Meuchel. The destinations would be Eagle Ribs and Despair in the Two Med valley. A 6:00 am departure time would be required to finish a 20 plus mile trek with 5,000 vertical feet and still headlamps were expected to complete the trip. The wind was quite brisk at the Two Medicine parking lot when the journey began with Don warning of predicted gusts of 60 mph. We all chose to go and see what the day may bring. An uneventful trail walk to Colbalt Lake was met with noise from Chief Lodgepole Peak sounding like a freight train. As we approached the pass the simple task of walking became increasingly difficult. Several times as we began to navigate the ridge trail we were forced to our knees and bellies to avoid being blown over. At one point David was knocked completely off his feet “flying” nearly 5 feet. A quick group meeting was held and group safety became paramount as we decided to turn around. We returned to the parking lot about 10:45 for chips and salsa. Later we learned winds were clocked at the Two Medicine camp ground at 65 mph and 85 mph at Logan Pass. We estimated wind speed at Two Medicine Pass between 75 and 80 mph. So goes the weather in Glacier.

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.