Glacier Mountaineering Society

Wed, Jul 18 2012 - Singleshot Mtn. (View Original Event Details)

Coordinator(s):		Dell Meuchel
Participants:		Dell Meuchel, Jason Wilkes, Andrew Szabo, Nathan Carlsen, Ken McDermott, Paul Cogswell, Frank Wesolovski, Don Arthur, Dennis Eaves, Martin Valles

Write Up:
It was a GMS trip at its best. Wonderful weather, amazing views and a group of energetic climbers met the challenge during GMS week. Our objective was Singleshot Mountain in the St. Mary valley. The group was from across the US and had an international flair. Andrew Szabo from Maryland, Nathan Carlsen representing Wisconsin, Dennis Eaves out of Georgia, Ken McDermott “Oh Canada” and Martin Valles Mexico. The Montana contingent included Jason Wilkes, Paul Cogswell, Frank Wesolovski, Don Arthur and me. The initial bushwhack was aided by many elk paths and the base of the mountain was reached quickly. A short grunt up scree led to multiple class 3 ledges, a short traverse and “X” marked the spot. The group found little trouble past a class 4 gully then multiple water courses to the summit block. The wide rolling summit block is hidden by the steep cliffs surrounding Singleshot. We descended via a north facing valley I had used on a previous trip coordinated by Ralph Thornton. Frank suggested we stay as close to 7000 feet as possible knowing the elevation of Napi Rock. His advice led to the discovery of a wonderful goat trail which completely encircled the mountain from the gully to Napi Rock. It had several hundred feet of exposure below and massive cliffs above. It was a treat to walk. Upon reaching Napi Rock the group headed down to the elk trails which would take us to our vehicles. What a great group. All able and willing to try everything a GMS climb could entail. I would have to say Andrew summed up the day many times during the trip stating “this is insane”, no we pointed out, it is mountaineering. My thanks to Frank for assisting in the climb as co-coordinator.

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.