Finally, someone puts up this magnificent peak, that is so tantalizingly close to the highway! I got out of my car just to gaze at this mountain for a while when I first saw it. One day, I plan to climb it. Thanks. Can I give you 5 stars?
Thanks Iceaxeman! I think I'm going to try and ski Koch peak this weekend if the weather cooperates. I was up the Taylor fork the other day as you could probably tell from the photo I submitted. I was alone with my pups and every other step was either a fresh pile of bear crap or a nice big paw print with long claws that was as long as my size 10 boots. There sure are a lot of those suckers up there!
So how do you deal with those bears ? When I was young working in Alaska it never bothered me. For some reason it bothers the hell out of me now. A couple of weeks ago I was camping near Saddle Peak (where I thought there weren't any bears) and along comes two guys bear hunting ? Totally changed my perspective. I should be back in Bozeman real soon.
I had one really close encounter with a big male when I was in the Bob Marshall 5 years ago. I was hiking alone up switchbacks about 4 miles back with my eyes to the ground huffing and puffing over the Swan crest. The bear was walking down the switchbacks paying no more attention than myself. Anyway, we met at one of the switchbacks, he stood up on his hind legs towering over me and I thought I was a gonner. 15 feet away or so. The only thing I could think to do, despite the fact that I was carrying bear spray, was to back up and head down the hill. The bear ended up walking off the switchback into the woods and I continued on.
How do I handle them? I don't think about it. Plain and simple. I have a habit of whistling and singing in the forest and that has scared off every single bear I have ever run into except for the habituated type in Yellowstone. I wasn't making any noise when I ran into that Bob Marshall bear. Lesson learned.
Thanks for the page Bakcast. I'm over in Montana again in August and will probably have another go at Emigrant. Last time I failed on the final ridge (see trip report). The conditions were somewhat more wintery than I am used to in the UK.
Brice Neugebauer - May 22, 2004 6:04 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI see its still under construction (no pics yet), but can tell it's going to be an excellent page.
bakcast - May 24, 2004 11:06 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks Bruce!
BobSmith - May 22, 2004 6:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice page. Wasn't familiar with this peak. Good job.
mpbro - May 22, 2004 8:32 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentFantastic effort! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
-Morgan
Alan Ellis - May 22, 2004 9:12 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentLots of good info. Great page!
hgrapid - May 22, 2004 9:14 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentFinally, someone puts up this magnificent peak, that is so tantalizingly close to the highway! I got out of my car just to gaze at this mountain for a while when I first saw it. One day, I plan to climb it. Thanks. Can I give you 5 stars?
pilz8 - May 22, 2004 10:17 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled Commentnice looking mountain, maybe one of these days I'll get out that way.
bakcast - May 26, 2004 12:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentMany Thanks.
Dave K - May 23, 2004 11:57 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentDamn--what a great page. I wish I could give it 5 stars!
bakcast - May 24, 2004 1:06 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThat's mighty kind of you. Thanks!
Jerry L - May 25, 2004 6:35 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentOutstanding. Obviously this one is on my to do list. Reading all of the links caused me to be late for work. Really nice stuff.
bakcast - May 26, 2004 12:04 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThanks Iceaxeman! I think I'm going to try and ski Koch peak this weekend if the weather cooperates. I was up the Taylor fork the other day as you could probably tell from the photo I submitted. I was alone with my pups and every other step was either a fresh pile of bear crap or a nice big paw print with long claws that was as long as my size 10 boots. There sure are a lot of those suckers up there!
Jerry L - May 26, 2004 5:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentSo how do you deal with those bears ? When I was young working in Alaska it never bothered me. For some reason it bothers the hell out of me now. A couple of weeks ago I was camping near Saddle Peak (where I thought there weren't any bears) and along comes two guys bear hunting ? Totally changed my perspective. I should be back in Bozeman real soon.
bakcast - May 28, 2004 9:48 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentI had one really close encounter with a big male when I was in the Bob Marshall 5 years ago. I was hiking alone up switchbacks about 4 miles back with my eyes to the ground huffing and puffing over the Swan crest. The bear was walking down the switchbacks paying no more attention than myself. Anyway, we met at one of the switchbacks, he stood up on his hind legs towering over me and I thought I was a gonner. 15 feet away or so. The only thing I could think to do, despite the fact that I was carrying bear spray, was to back up and head down the hill. The bear ended up walking off the switchback into the woods and I continued on.
How do I handle them? I don't think about it. Plain and simple. I have a habit of whistling and singing in the forest and that has scared off every single bear I have ever run into except for the habituated type in Yellowstone. I wasn't making any noise when I ran into that Bob Marshall bear. Lesson learned.
Jerry L - May 28, 2004 8:37 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentWe'll have to do some climbing together one day. We can talk and keep the bears away.
rpc - Nov 19, 2004 4:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled Commentnice job.
Aaron Johnson - Dec 20, 2004 11:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentWell done. Interesting links.
Saintgrizzly - Jan 5, 2005 11:26 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentAptly named Paradise Valley never ceases to inspire! Nice job!
Dean - May 18, 2005 3:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentExcellent page.
munroitis - May 20, 2007 4:20 am - Voted 10/10
Another attemptThanks for the page Bakcast. I'm over in Montana again in August and will probably have another go at Emigrant. Last time I failed on the final ridge (see trip report). The conditions were somewhat more wintery than I am used to in the UK.
Must echo your recomendation of Chico. Brilliant.