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2023 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open

This topic has 86 replies, 27 voices, and was last updated 6 months ago by Mike M.

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Oct 26, 2022 at 4:00 pm #3762924

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

The 2023 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open was announced by Dave C, is as follows:

The 2023 Open will start at 0800 MDT, Saturday May 27th, at the Owl Creek TH on Holland Lake, and finish at the obelisk at Marias Pass. Course area is all public land in Montana. The usual guidelines apply.

-This is not a race.

-You must be entirely self-supported and self-contained. Take everything you need, and leave nothing behind but footprints. Any pre-planned assistance of any kind is forbidden.

-Any form of human-powered locomotion is allowed within the identified course area. No linear travel on the surface of paved roads.

-You are responsible for you. Come prepared for challenging conditions which can easily, with improper luck or preparation, turn life-threatening. Any and all contingency and emergency plans must be arranged in advance by each individual.

Anyone considering it?

Oct 27, 2022 at 3:12 am #3762954

James Taylor
BPL Member

@james-taylor
Locale: Indy

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

Oct 27, 2022 at 8:08 am #3762966

Sandy Hilton
BPL Member

@sahilton
Locale: PNW

Certainly on my radar.

Oct 27, 2022 at 9:19 pm #3763054

Tom M
BPL Member

@twofeathers
Locale: Kalispell

James,

Good to hear you will be joining us again!

Oct 27, 2022 at 9:43 pm #3763057

Michael Gillenwater
BPL Member

@mwgillenwater
Locale: Seattle area

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.

Oct 29, 2022 at 8:15 am #3763171

Dan M
BPL Member

@danqm

Michigan crew planning on a return this year !

Nov 1, 2022 at 2:28 pm #3763331

Josh J
BPL Member

@uahiker

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?

Nov 4, 2022 at 7:57 am #3763559

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

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

Nov 6, 2022 at 8:16 pm #3763772

Elliot H
BPL Member

@elliotwdh

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

Dec 20, 2022 at 10:36 am #3768099

Adam R
Spectator

@rhinocesaurus

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.

Dec 20, 2022 at 11:07 am #3768104

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

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

we’ll be a balmy -35 thankfully :D

Dec 20, 2022 at 11:32 am #3768105

Adam R
Spectator

@rhinocesaurus

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.

Dec 20, 2022 at 11:43 am #3768109

Josh J
BPL Member

@uahiker

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

Dec 20, 2022 at 11:53 am #3768110

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

tough SOB’s back then without any doubt!

Dec 20, 2022 at 11:57 am #3768111

Josh J
BPL Member

@uahiker

this is what i was thinking of

Dec 20, 2022 at 12:44 pm #3768113

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

not UL, but looks cozy!!!

Dec 20, 2022 at 12:44 pm #3768114

Josh J
BPL Member

@uahiker

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

Dec 20, 2022 at 12:45 pm #3768115

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

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

agreed!

Dec 20, 2022 at 4:28 pm #3768125

darren hull
BPL Member

@mtboy
Locale: Pinedale

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.

Jan 3, 2023 at 11:33 am #3769129

Adam R
Spectator

@rhinocesaurus

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

Jan 3, 2023 at 4:35 pm #3769157

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

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.

Jan 3, 2023 at 7:04 pm #3769173

John N
BPL Member

@airlocksniffer
Locale: Montana

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…..

Jan 4, 2023 at 11:51 am #3769245

Adam R
Spectator

@rhinocesaurus

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?

Jan 4, 2023 at 4:49 pm #3769272

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

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.

Jan 9, 2023 at 9:10 am #3769631

Tyler J
BPL Member

@mnjones

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