2023 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open

Thanks Mike. I’ve been training for this year, so I’m in. Looking forward to it!

Certainly on my radar.

James,

Good to hear you will be joining us again!

A buddy of mine (younger and fitter) and I are preliminarily planning on joining this year for the first time. I’ve been backpacking and packrafting in the Bob every year for 20 years (summer only), but never joined the Open before.  Hope to make it happen.

Michigan crew planning on a return this year !

I’ve been training for a long time and if things go right…. I should finally be able to join in as a foot soldier, maybe one day as a floater.  So does 22 miles in 9hrs, with a little over 2100ft gain/loss count for anything?

It counts; right out of the gate to get over the Swan crest from Holland Lake is a little over 3000′ in 5 miles

I’ll be back for 2023. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and new terrain.

Finally going to make it to the starting line this year, been watching for the last 4 years hoping to make it work. I was a guide in the Bob 10 years ago so I’m really excited to get back into the heart of it! Based in Missoula if anyone wants to team up on some training trips.

good thing it’s not now, Gates Park is predicted to see -50 F – Yowsers!

we’ll be a balmy -35 thankfully :D

This weather has actually had me thinking about how the Blackfeet nation handled some of the brutal weather that area dishes out. I can’t imagine sleeping in a teepee at those temps.

If memory serves me correctly I remember watching a documentary on that. I believe they used a double layer system with thick fur hides as a layer along with people and body heat. Not saying it would have been pleasant but they were much tougher than us and smarter living in those conditions.

Similar to those who live in parts of Siberia where the average temperatures are -50 on average, schools don’t close till -70

tough SOB’s back then without any doubt!

this is what i was thinking of

not UL, but looks cozy!!!

lol, there’s nothing UL about -50 or lower…. :)

lol, there’s nothing UL about -50 or lower…. :)

agreed!

I’m in I think. Looks paddle friendly… if friendly is the right word during high water. Has everybody been keeping up with the drama surrounding the Holland lake land swap? https://www.savehollandlake.com/. There is an open comment period right now. I am not up on the nuances of it but I’m always interested when huge corporations start eating away at our public lands. Not looking to get too political, but researching Holland lake for this year’s route I stumbled on a lot of information.

I’m looking into some training trips into the Bob this spring. Just wondering if anyone thinks an out and back from Monture to Hahn Creek cabin is a good trip for training and if the trailhead is accessible. I haven’t been in from Monture before. TIA

Monture should be accessible (it’s a little shy of the “official” trailhead as they only plow to the bridge).  Last year the Army had pretty much taken over the whole area, hoping they aren’t back this year.

I think it would make great training, time spent on snowshoes is always worth the effort imho.

I’m definitely a hard maybe.  Been out the last few years due to conflicts with my son’s soccer schedule but he’s graduating this year so the regular Memorial Day tournament probably won’t happen.  Now just depends on my fitness from now until then.  I’ve been deeply missing this experience and really need to get it done at least one more time…..

Generally speaking, at what point in the spring do the shifts start working well? I know it will be highly dependent on the snow melt. I’m guessing I’ll need full size snowshoes until mid-April on an average year?

You’ll definitely want full sized shoes now.  I was potholing bad yesterday in the Elkhorns- a thin layer of crust and then feet of corn snow underneath- builds character :)

There are times full sized snowshoes would be most welcomed in May too, just a matter of the weight then.

First timer from MN here, planning to be there (finally!). Planning to go on foot as I don’t have much rafting experience.