Glacier Mountaineering Society

Sat, Jul 23 2016 - Eagle Ribs & Mount Despair (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Dell Meuchel, John Reynolds
Participants:		Dell Meuchel, John Reynolds, Don Arthur, David Endebrock, Stacey Endebrock, Justin Hollister, Elizabeth Pikal, Rodney Falkenberg, Laurel R. Vielle

Write Up:
Would it be deja vu from 2015 for the GMS crew attempting Eagle Ribs and Despair? We were greeted at the Two Medicine trail head with wind from 30 to 35 mph and the promise of more. The 2015 trip had to be abandoned near the Chief Lodgepole summit with winds reaching 80 mph. Luck would be with us as the hurricane never materialized and we were able to complete both summits. This climb was the essence of GMS. It was no guided tour and route finding was truly a team effort. I need to thank John Reynolds, Elizabeth Pikal, Rodney Falkenberg, Justin Hollister, Laurel Vielle, Don Arthur, David Endebrock and Stacey Endebrock for the patience and assistance in this climb. Eagle Ribs was reached after a long traverse of west flank of Grizzly. The summit approach was from the south after circumventing the peak. Age old question- which couloir. I thought it was the second eight years ago. Memories fade and several took the first to a false summit and no connection to the true summit. Steep snow was avoided and we were on our way to Despair. The low southern traverse to Despair was on a trail with multiple cliff barriers. Again the group would split and the best options discovered. The approach to Despair would involve a short run with crampons and ice ax. Here was much less snow than my previous visit and the route up looked somewhat tricky. Upon reaching the rock team mentality took over and many possible routes were found. Having left the trail head at 6:16 am were we on the second summit at 2:30 pm, half way home. The trip back held on surprise as steep snow blocked our low traverse on Eagle Ribs so the mountain was again summit ed. Trip details- 21+ miles, nearly 7,000 feet in elevation gain and 15 hours. Chips, salsa and beverages were shared at the end of a long satisfying day. Dell Meuchel

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.