Mad Wolf Mountain
August 25, 2019
Mountain height: 2538 m
Elevation gain: 1019 m
Round-trip time: 6:33
Scrambling with Dave.
In “The Summer of Inaccurate Weather Forecasts”, Dave and I really should
not have been surprised that we got chased off this mountain by a vicious
rainstorm, on a day that was predicted to be relatively clear – not that I’m
complaining – I’ll take a wet, rainy and miserable summer over the insane
smoke-fests of 2017 and 2018 any day!
The objective for the day was the highly recommended Mad Wolf Circuit in
Montana’s Glacier National Park – a route that visits three different summits
(Mad Wolf, Eagle Plume, Bad Marriage) and between peaks boasts one of the best
ridgewalks in the park.
We arrived at the trailhead to very cloudy skies but proceeded with the
usual dose of blind optimism regarding the weather. The approach was quite
pleasant, through varied and interesting terrain. There was some fairly thick
foliage to get through, but it mostly dry and not an issue – that would change
dramatically on descent.
Approaching the base of Mad Wolf, we quickly tried a route around the northeast
side of the mountain but had to settle for the described route around the southeast side when an impasse
was reached. That was until Dave spotted what looked to be a more interesting route,
essentially up the north ridge. And interesting it was – though the
increasingly miserable weather became increasingly annoying!
The highlight of the ascent was an atmospheric ridgewalk to the summit,
as clouds and mist swirled off the ridge; the lowlight, watching the limited
views around us disappear to almost nothing and more rain, along with chilly
temperatures. We arrived at the summit to an almost non-existent view, with
little to no hope of improvement. The “Shall we continue?” discussion was
pretty short: Dave, “No”; me, “No”. Eagle Plume and Bad Marriage would have to
wait.
Good thing we made that decision, because as soon as we left the summit,
we were pummeled by high winds and the resulting dagger-like rain/ice pellets
slapping us in the face. We pretty much had to run down the mountain, looking
for some degree of shelter from Armageddon. By the time the rain abated we were
both drenched, as well as a little traumatized (well, I was!). Of course, the
weather started to clear a little as continued to make our way down.
Wading through the waist-high foliage lower down, ensured that we would both
be completely water-logged for the remainder of the day. As such, I didn’t even
change into my hip-waders for the creek crossing, my boots already saturated.
Not the day we were hoping for, but definitely a very memorable one. And
as always a day in the mountains with Dave and his great zest for adventure and life is
a wonderful treat!
Click HERE to see Dave's terrific report.
Gearing up at the trailhead. All three peaks of the circuit plus a couple of outliers can be seen. (photo by Dave)
Hiking in hip-waders. Dave named the outlier of Bad Marriage Mountain at the left,
"Divorcee" when we did Triple Divide and Norris six days later. (photo by Dave)
Easy creek crossing near the beginning (photo by Dave)
Hiking in boots. The "Divorcee” Bad Marriage, and “Divorcée" trio are dead ahead (photo by Dave)
Dave comes through a section of waist-high and still dry foliage
Mad Wolf Mountain dead ahead (photo by Dave)
Looking over the area and still optimistic the weather will improve. The big peak in the distance to the left is Mount James. (photo by Dave)
Making progress (photo by Dave)
Dave heads up to the obvious clearing that grants easy access to the base of the mountain
Near the base and searching for a route around the northeast side
Might as well get my obligatory "lichen on rock" photo before Armageddon
If nothing else, we were treated to a few faint rainbows
Going around to the southeast side
We considered going over to this pleasant looking ridge on descent, but I was too water-logged!
Aiming for an interesting dark band of rock that is part of the north ridge (photo by Dave)
Dave photographs the route up
There it is. Looks cool and it is! (photo by Dave)
Dave leads the way
Might as well absorb some of the views before the Apocalypse
Great Glacier rock
\
That doesn't look good
Neither does that! (photo by Dave)
The atmospheric trek to the summit begins
More great Glacier rock
Approaching a small col between the ridge and the summit. We took refuge there on descent. (photo by Dave)
Some of the ridge towards Eagle Plume above Dave
The worrisome weather to the west worsens (photo by Dave)
Might as well get a photo of Dave before his face becomes a pin cushion
Summit cairn (photo by Dave)
Looking back. Not much to see here, folks. (photo by Dave)
Summit view. You know it's a bad day when I'm the best looking thing seen from the summit. (photo by Dave)
The ridge towards Eagle Plume does not look inviting in its present condition
Another killer summit view! (photo by Dave)
All smiles now, but five minutes earlier I was cowering behind the rock in the background, whimpering for my Mum (photo by Dave)
Something like that but way worse (photo by Dave)
Good frown by Dave, but at least his face is not a pin cushion (photo by Dave)
Another faint rainbow
Drenched from head to toe (photo by Dave)
Might as well get a photo of the crap weather before it totally clears up when we are already at the bottom,
with zero possibility of re-ascending in perfect weather (photo by Dave)
Here comes the blue sky,
Mad Wolf Mountain, goodbye
(photo by Dave)
Might as well get a photo of some moron fording the creek in his hiking boots, while carrying his hip-waders (photo by Dave)
Final few steps of the trip (those are not hip-waders in my right hand) (photo by Dave)
The End
