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2026 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open

This topic has 13 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 1 week ago by Steven M.

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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Jan 21, 2026 at 11:11 am #3846927

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

Per Dave’s site, pay close attention the start date

The 2026 Open will start at 0800 MDT on May 2nd at the Monture Creek TH, and end at the Pishkun Canal road bridge over the Sun River.

-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.

Jan 21, 2026 at 11:45 am #3846932

Josh J
BPL Member

@uahiker

what the heck! May 2!!

Jan 21, 2026 at 1:24 pm #3846937

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

what the heck! May 2!!

I think Dave didn’t want a repeat of last year with folks dropping from heat exhaustion :)

Jan 21, 2026 at 8:08 pm #3846964

Rob
BPL Member

@alpine_sailor
Locale: Missoula

The course is also quite short. Seems like a cool opportunity to not sleep or eat

Jan 23, 2026 at 6:40 am #3847046

Rob
BPL Member

@alpine_sailor
Locale: Missoula

Sunset will be at 8:45…

Jan 23, 2026 at 9:04 am #3847050

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

Definitely shorter days a ~month earlier

Jan 23, 2026 at 11:49 am #3847055

Tom M
BPL Member

@twofeathers
Locale: Kalispell

PSA:

There is a discrepancy in the course start and finish locations so I would like to clear up. The actual start is Trixies and the finish is the Buckhorn. Hahaha

Jan 24, 2026 at 4:22 pm #3847143

Dan @ Durston Gear
BPL Member

@dandydan
Locale: Canadian Rockies

Very interesting. It’s not too long, but there aren’t many low valleys headed in the right direction, plus with the earlier start, it looks like a good chance that a higher % is snow travel. I’m not sure if I’ll make it out, but I am interested for this one.

Jan 26, 2026 at 2:14 pm #3847248

Rob
BPL Member

@alpine_sailor
Locale: Missoula

Cue coordinated campaign to pressure Dan to make his grand return to the BMWO…

Jan 26, 2026 at 2:43 pm #3847249

Mike M
BPL Member

@mtwarden
Locale: Montana

I’d like him to return w/ skis again! I’m pretty sure that was the one and only year anyone brought skis :)

Jan 27, 2026 at 9:37 am #3847266

Dan @ Durston Gear
BPL Member

@dandydan
Locale: Canadian Rockies

It does look pretty ideal for skis with an earlier start and potentially higher elevation travel (if going in a fairly straight line).

Back when I brought them circa roughly 2017, it was fun when they worked but the % of ski miles wasn’t great, which meant a lot of time hauling skis and boots.

Jan 29, 2026 at 1:27 pm #3847391

Rob
BPL Member

@alpine_sailor
Locale: Missoula

Here’s a hype video from last year. I spent a lot of time on it, but then youtube blocked me sharing it because of the music. I got frustrated and forgot to try another method. Drive seems to work but it doesn’t play well on your phone so try watching it on your desktop. Its a really stupid video but I think its fun.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lee8Mava7ENYk0uQh-bhQRGCVwXhLpb5/view?usp=drive_link

Jan 29, 2026 at 1:42 pm #3847394

Richard Nisley
BPL Member

@richard295
Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

👍

Jan 29, 2026 at 2:01 pm #3847395

Steven M
BPL Member

@steven-m
Locale: Bohemian Alps

Hey Rob, great video! Good job keeping the pace up too.
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