2026 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open

what the heck! May 2!!

what the heck! May 2!!

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

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

Sunset will be at 8:45…

Definitely shorter days a ~month earlier

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

👍

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

Short course this year. I hope to be able to make it.

If you are participating in the BMWO in 2026 and would like to use TRIPS for comparing route options, the beta period is now open. Just make a note in the application form somewhere for “BMWO26” and we’ll get you setup:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/trips-beta-testers-needed/

At first glance, I thought this year’s route options were pretty straightforward. However, I’m starting to see several viable options open up, especially since the shorter, higher routes will have some snowpack slowdown.

^ Ryan sent in a form

Wow, I managed to log into my account :)

After several years missing the BMWO (but two trips down the SF and acquiring a packraft), I am considering participating this year, with a couple of buddies.

I think there is only one sensible route… but I might be missing something. Anybody want to divulge their plans?

I’ve so far seen four different routes—they were all in the ballpark of 65 miles w/ a lot of ascent (12k+). None of these routes were w/ an intended float(s).

anyone have Beta of Limestone pass or Observation pass early. I have been over Stadler Pass in 2018 BMWO.

I will likely scout Monture to Limestone Next weekend

Ok the options are revealing themselves. Fun stuff. I’m angling towards more floating.

We did Observation Pass in 2016 and I don’t remember any details, which suggests it was fine…

Looking forward to this year’s open! I’m curious how others are managing transportation to the start. I’m joining as a party of three and would obviously love a free ride from somone local, but would also be interested in coordinating a shuttle and splitting costs as much as possible (We’ll be coming from Missoula).

The view from the top of Spread Mountain (~8000′) – Looking Northeast

I decided to be lazy and hired a car shuttle (Ovando River Shuttles). So I will be driving Friday afternoon from Missoula to eat dinner at Trixies, and will then head to the Monture TH. I have 3 extra seats as of now.