Hello From Alaska
- August 2007
- Uncategorized
Hi Steph,
I was wondering if you have ever spent any time in Glacier Park. I worked for the lodge concessionaire for 2 summers in college. Although it is not typically a good climbing park due to the crumbling nature of the rock, there are some celebrated technical climbs including the north faces of Mt. Siyeh and Mt. Cleveland, which features the largest rock face in the lower 48 states. These and lots of other climbs are featured in Gordon Edwards’s A Climber’s Guide to Glacier National Park. (Interestingly, Edwards started climbing as a necessity to his entomology career.)
The park is fantastic–700 miles of hiking trails and many options for spending time in the backcountry. Although the highest peaks max out at just over 10,000 feet (of which there are 6), they start in valleys as low as 3,000 feet, so you get a perception reminiscent of the Alps.
You live quite a lifestyle; best wishes,
Steve Ramsdell
Dear Steve,
Thanks for writing, and for all of this interesting information. I have never been to Alaska, but have always wanted to. Sometimes the “close” wilderness seems so far away, for some reason?
Your home sounds beautiful (though I’m not sure if you are living there now?), and I hope to come visit some day……
xx Steph
It’s even closer (or further away) than that, in little ol’ Montana! I’ve never climbed there, but I can’t imagine who could disagree about the hiking. The northern terminus of the Continental Divide Trail is what brought me there most recently. Cheers!