Wedding Blog

I originally put together this guide for our guests, many of whom are arriving in Glacier a few days early or staying after the wedding to enjoy the park. I know it’s not specifically wedding-related for anyone not on our guest list, but my hope is that I have piqued the interest of some readers and that I can provide good resource for anyone interested in hiking, climbing, or backpacking in Glacier National Park.

So, arm yourselves with knowledge and prepare to enter the wilderness!

HIKING:
GNP is an amazing place for hiking. There are over 700 miles of trails in the park, from quick and easy boardwalk hikes to steep and winding all-day slogs. Pick your pleasure! There are a number of guidebooks about hiking in Glacier available online. I can’t recommend a specific one, since we are familiar enough with major routes (and tend toward backcountry climbs) that we don’t use a trail guide.

I’ve found several excellent hiking resources online:

• Hiking the Trails: The National Park Service’s page about Glacier trail hikes, complete with trail status and interactive trail maps
• Trip planning resources: The National Park Service’s page about planning a trip in Glacier, including the same interactive trail maps, a park map, a photo tour map, campground status, and a publications page with guides, rules, and regulations
• Glacier National Park Hikes: A page with good information on some hikes, including elevation and mileage, as well as the principles of leave no trace, biking, boating, bears, and more

BACKPACKING:
GNP is an ideal location for backpacking. We’ve only been on one backpacking trip in the park ourselves (when we got engaged!) because we have access to convenient lodging in the middle of the action… but there are plenty of breathtaking locations that can ONLY be accessed on multi-day trips.

There are many trails that lead into the backcountry for days, with lots of primitive campgrounds along the way. It’s easy to plan a trip, but there are a few key things of which to first be aware:

• Backpacking is only allowed with a permit, for a fee, from the park service. It is highly recommended to secure a permit far in advance as most sites fill up early in the season
• Camping MUST be done ONLY in designated sites to maintain the fragile alpine ecosystem
• Backpackers should carry proper survival gear and be aware of encounters with wildlife, especially Grizzly Bears

Thankfully, there is one helpful publication that provides extensive information about all of these things: The Glacier 2008 Backcountry Guide! If you are interested in backpacking, visit Glacier’s backcountry camping site and download this PDF at once. It’s pretty much the best resource out there and will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know, including:

• Why backpack?: It’s awesome, OK?
• Proper trail behavior: Leave the boombox at home
• Backpacking and bears: What to do if you’ve got one in your face
• Backcountry hazards: Look out for these so you don’t die
• Trip essentials: Don’t forget these things
• Route map: Don’t get lost either
• Campground info & policies: Don’t throw a kegger!
• Obtaining your permit: Fees, party size, timelines, and advice
• Application and checklist: Do it, do it now!
• Helpful publications: More things you should read

Seriously, this is the most impressive and comprehensive resource ever. Just in case you haven’t had enough, though, I advise anyone new to backpacking to use the following checklists to determine what gear to buy and how to pack:

• The Ten (14?) Essentials: These are absolutely necessary in a survival situation
• An Ultralight Backpacking Guide: This is a great packing list that will help you remember everything you need to make your trip comfortable without weighing you down

Visit REI to buy all of your goodies, the most essential of which are a well-fitting and comfortable pack, a lightweight tent, NON-cotton clothing, and a portable stove.

CLIMBING:
GNP is one of the most amazing locations for climbing and mountaineering in the continental US. I don’t see too much trad or technical climbing in the park (like you would see at Yosemite or Smith Rock), but class 2 through class 5 climbs are common and required to summit peaks.

There are tons and tons of mountains in the park, all of which (I think) have been climbed by someone and many of which are accessible by the most inexperienced of climbers with a bit of willpower and good physical stamina. Between the two of us, Mr. Cherry Pie and I have summited nearly twenty peaks in Glacier, ranging from easy 2-3 hour round trip hikes to 14 hour days. Some summits are just slogs up rock and scree slopes, others are challenging routes with sheer exposure, class-4 cliffs, and narrow chutes. If you are really interested in climbing in the park and want to see more photos, comment below and I can email you links to some photo galleries.

I would caution anyone new to climbing and route-finding against trying to summit a mountain alone. Most routes to and among the summits are off-trail and best assessed by experienced climbers. At the very least, every climber should purchase The Climber’s Guide to Glacier National Park. It is THE BIBLE where climbing in GNP is concerned.

The park service also provides its own resource about mountain climbing in Glacier. While not nearly as extensive as their backpacking guide, this PDF provides some good information for climbers.

Most importantly, climbers should remember to:

• Register with the park service at a ranger’s station before attempting a climb, and check in again after returning
• Carry a map and compass. It is very easy to become disoriented and perception of route and elevation gain can become distorted while on a mountain
• Don’t climb alone unless you are very experienced. If you do, notify more than one person where you are going and don’t deviate from that route. If you are injured, it will take time to reach you.
• Bring proper equipment. You might not NEED a rope or bear mace, but won’t you be glad you have them if you do?
• Be safe and not stupid. Climbing is dangerous. People can die if you goof off at the wrong time!

Rather than ending this post on the macabre, I would like to say that the most memorable days of my life have been spent hiking, climbing, and camping in Glacier National Park. Not all of these days were GOOD days… I can recall at least one instance of severely freaking out on a mountain… but they were critical in building my connection to Mr. Cherry Pie and creating a special bond to Glacier. Now, it’s a place that’s so important to our relationship that I can’t imagine getting married anywhere else.

What makes your venue special to you?