Kyle,
It looks like you made it out. Congrats man! I’m pretty much settled on about the same route as you except I might go up and over Lion Creek Pass to begin with instead. Any beta on the state of the flathead or White River Pass? Thanks!
Topic
2020 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open
Become a member to post in the forums.
- This topic has 122 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 2 months ago by
.
I’ve never taken a drysuit on the Open. I’ve also been very conservative with avoiding whitewater that isn’t very far within my comfort zone (walking the whole lower Middle Fork in 2013); I’m also hard pressed to think of a year when I didn’t get really, really cold in the boat at least once, and there have been several times I’ve deliberately pushed hard up against the boundaries of hypothermia.
The newer Alpacka seats have gotten heavier, but they also do a nice of keeping you out of the water in the boat and away from the cold water under the boat. To say nothing of the prospect of seriously bruising your ass on a rock.
I have to say that conditions look likely to be gnarly. Potentially on a 2014 level of high water and rotten, rain-soaked snow (there was a reason no one finished that year). Probably not on the level of the 2012 blizzard, or the 2018 record high water, but could get close to either or both. Kinda glad I’m headed elsewhere for the next week.
Hey Nathan, I made it out! The Bob delivered in classic Bob fashion. I’ll do a complete trip report after Memorial Day. Quick notes were that snow stability was a real concern for me but who knows what happens in the next week. Flathead didn’t look blown out yet, but I think that’s happening. Shoot me any specific questions you have in my message and we can chat.
congrats Kyle on a very good finish!
Nathan,
From what I saw in my scouting mission the avi danger is real and route selection along with timing should be really looked at. Im closely watching the snotel sites for any significant accumulating snow. Glad to see you arent trying your original route the pitch leading down into Silvertip creek could be dicey and the pitch leading up to ibex would really need to be looked at for any avi danger. Im curios what conditions Kyle encountered on the pitch leading up to white river pass.
Tom, given the avy hazard, what route are you taking from the South Fork to the Continental
Divide? I hope you don’t mind me asking :)
Tom: the approach up during the summer switchbacks had natural wet slides all over. I found a band of rocks to climb up and gain the gap. There was also a reason I was doing this at 6 a.m. I didn’t like the looks of the west facing traverse so I jumped straight up and walked down to the pass on the ridgeline. Descending I was able to navigate down tree-bands, walk along flats, back up tree bands and repeat until getting out of harm’s way.
Rob,
Im not sure on my route yet. I think the safest route would be Larch Hill but who knows. Im wondering if Dave C has the best plan.
Kyle,
Congrats on a classy route!!! I was glad to see you starting early Monday morning and figured you encountered some spooky pitches. I remember rolling down that trail heading into the white river spring of 2018 to find a massive avalanche debris field with trees everywhere. It was in the switchbacks near the 380 trail intersection. Thanks for the beta
Best of luck to everyone this year ! The michigan crew is having to pass this year – 3 out of the 4 of us are contractors and our beloved govenor ( NOT!) has made life  a bit difficult . We all are committed  to  making the trip next year . Keep safe , have a blast – can’t wait to start reading the reports !  Looking forward to fri night dinner next year !
My inreach:
Should have included ….. Saturday start.
Matt,
I’ll see you up there possibly. Looks like you’re taking the same route I plan on doing. We likely won’t get started until Saturday afternoon though given the vehicle drop situation.
Dan (should say Dans!) – hopefully catch you next year!
we got over an inch of precip in less than 12 hours last night in Helena, I’m guessing some places got well over that
SF Flathead is quickly ramping up and both the South and North Forks of the Sun are rising quickly
definitely more precip on the way, could be very interesting :)
The trail around Gibson at the end should be nice and sloppy. Oh the memories
^ on that note, I guarantee you that every Tom, Dick and Harry with stock is going to pound that trail further into muddy oblivion for Memorial Day weekend!
My Spot: https://maps.findmespot.com/s/X1YJ
Heading in Saturday afternoon with a few others.
Matt – its up to you to represent the mid- west well ! Keep safe , we will be watching !
Speaking of livestock near Gibson, watch out for any pack strings or riders on the cliff sections. It gets really tight. Try to find a wider spot for them to pass. Hopefully not too much westbound traffic by the time most of us are nearing the finish though. And remember that when you think you’re almost to the boat launch with a beer in reach, the lake just goes on and on and on…don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Sounds like we might be able to catch up with some of you at Point Pleasant (from a distance).  Probably heading up Friday evening. It’s a pretty small campground though, so it’s possible we’ll be nearby instead and just roll over to start.  Unless they swung one out since, there’s not a sign on the highway, so keep your eyes peeled. If you’re heading north and cross soup creek, turn around and head back.  There are 6-8 campsites.
We got to point pleasant last night… Completely empty. Thad, correct, there is still no sign. Going back offline now as you have to drive a bit for cell service! Good luck to everyone!
The water levels are about to break the 2008 records. Be careful out there everyone!
Good luck out there Mike!
Hey folks –
Longtime dreamer, first time BMWO’er here. Excited to join in the fun; starting out first thing tomorrow morning. Here’s my tracking link if anyone is curious:
Good luck nate.
Thats the track I was looking at going. Take a look at Mike and Toms track over inspiration pass as a back up plan.
Become a member to post in the forums.
advertisementYour privacy is protected: We do not transmit your user data to third-party ad platforms or advertisers, and we do not host third-party tracking pixels. Backpacking Light serves ads on its own custom, native, and internal platform.
Ultralight folding polesCarbon fiber, adjustable, 15" collapsed length.
