2016 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open

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David C

I have a transportation plan that could include you if you like the details. It just developed today. I have your phone number, don’t think you have mine. When would be a good time for me to call–don’t want to interrupt the baby’s sleep? Or if you have my number call any time 8am to 9pm.

JK

Much appreciated John, call whenever it’s convenient.  I’ll be stuck to the office all day today and tomorrow.

I should note for everyone that you will not get cell service at the finish.  I get enough Verizon service to text, but not place a call, about 10 miles north near the south end of Swan Lake.  Hitching on that highway shouldn’t be unusually problematic, and I’ll help get folks back to the Flathead if they can get themselves into cell range.

PS  Was looking at Sam’s map yesterday thinking about 2017.  Indian Meadow TH to Marias Pass (or maybe Palookaville) is my favorite idea, for the moment.

^ me likey :)

I do agree with Jessica, not the best idea for a solo gal to attempt to hitchhike- I’m sure we can work something out so she doesn’t need to

C’mon Dave.  We are all supposed to be checking BPL for the route announcement the day after we get done.  I don’t have time to plot courses for 2017 now…;)

EDIT: Still going to take a cursory glance at the route.

You gotta re-do 2014 sometime since no one finished. Maybe 2018. Don’t do anything too awesome in 2017 because I’m booked up already with another hike.

I concur with Dan about repeating Marias to Monture at some point. I have quite a few miles left undone on that one. I also think it would be cool to up the ante and start one of these on the west side of the Missions. Maybe something crazy like Mission Reservoir to Palookaville. But then I’d have to come on here and complain about all of the road miles through the Swan valley ;).

Sorry, I don’t think I can be much help with shuttling. I would be coming from Bozeman Friday night which isn’t helpful for anyone needing to come down from Cedar Creek.

It would be fun if people are willing to share the links to their Delorme/SPOT pages this year. I know my friends and family enjoyed watching my progress last year (when mine was working) and think they would enjoy seeing where other people were too. I need to reactivate mine, but am willing to share my link if you PM me.

Teton Pass ski area to Bernice’s Bakery would be a fun route.

Ha, I like the idea of dragging a raft out of the river in downtown Missoula to finish up. I would just have to make sure Bernice’s is open on Memorial Day before committing to a trip like that. What a disappointment it would be to travel all that way and have it be closed.

I used a SPOT last year, will again this year- was nice for folks to keep an eye on our progress- course it would have been a little nicer to have turned on before we were half way down Gordon Ck :)

I came across this Spring 2016 newsletter from the BMWC, with details on fire damage from the previous year: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd493701.pdf  

Enjoy!

Thanks Derek. I don’t expect this to impact the Open at all, but I see fire season is starting early in the Bob this year:

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2016/04/09/fire-burning-bob-marshall-wilderness-area/82843814/

It’s possible someone might want to do an extended packraft to Mid Creek on the South Fork, then head west over Inspiration Pass. In which case, falling/fallen trees could be an issue.

Sorry for the confusion, Derek. I meant that I don’t think the current fire in the Bob (or the crazy fact that there is already a wildfire burning with associated closures) will impact this year’s travel.

Derek- thanks for posting that pdf- that was exactly what I was looking for! :)  fortunately it doesn’t impact my route(s) at all

Mike

No problem Mike. Personally, I don’t like burnt trees crashing all around me during windy conditions like what happened around Big Salmon Lake last year.

Tanner, I’ve been tracking that too. By the way, did anyone have a planned recon around there?

Derek– I was close just two weeks ago (see above), but didn’t go beyond the ford since the water level was so low. Consequently, didn’t quite get to the open country where this fire is burning. (I promise I didn’t start a ‘warming fire’ -didn’t even use my stove that trip.) [insert here smiley face with halo]
Was hoping to try again the end of April, but afraid that won’t happen now, unless they get this fire out quick. If I divert to the S. fork of the Sun, that intel might be more useful for you all anyway.

Really, Dan? Don’t worry, I passed along your info to the BMWC park rangers and Secret Service. They’ll probably ask a few questions like hiking shoe type/size and would like to confiscate all of your GPS devices. Just use the standard “yes sir” or “I’d like to speak with my lawyer” replies. It would be a good idea to delete any forum gear lists.

Sure, but just think of the book deal . . .

Sorry for inactivity, last year I was blowing up the forums like mad in preparation for the big event but this year I’ve been silently listening to you all and regretting this post I’m writing now. Sadly, I will be unable to attend the open this year. I’ve been awarded a huge contract in San Jose, and I’ve been here for three weeks working on these jobs and banking cash and have 6 months worth of work left. Been missing allot of time with my family and I’d never hear the end of it if I disappeared to Montana this April.  Sorry; no sequel to “The Mumbling Jedi”.  I’ll be here on the sidelines, reading the forum posts and plotting your guys’ routes on Alltrails. It’d be cool to get some of your guys’ Delorme digits so I could walk vicariously with you to Cedar Creek, through your inReach.  Looking forward to next years start/finish locations. God speed and go light.

Speaking of which, here’s my SPOT shared page: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0UV5LCaHD1XJFVoHlpDOepT9Cm2qEY9LR

Edit: Heck, you can still see my hike from last weekend.

Chase- sorry you can’t make it, hopefully next year :)

Mike

I’ll post up my Delorme link before the event. If we get a few it’ll give the e-Hikers something to do :)

Please include me in any plans to carpool from Cedar Creek to Bean Lake. I decided it was best to get a car rental at drop it off at the finish.