Even though my 2020 Flathead traverse outing was a success, I had hankering to return to try it in a single push. The line itself is inspiring, and I was excited for the novel challenge of pushing through the night deep in the wilderness. Anticipating an early fire season, July seemed like the best bet for good conditions. I got enough early season run specific training to feel physically prepared(ish), and jumped when life logistics aligned in July. In accordance with tradition, I biked the 40-mile shuttle the previous evening and tucked in for a short night of sleep.
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| Classic Flathead range view. |
I rolled out of the trailhead at 4 am. Unfortunately, the first few hours were a little but off. I was intimidated and felt surprisingly tired and bonky. I tried to put those thoughts aside and instead stay in the moment, engaging with the route and keeping the effort in check. Fortunately, things turned around, each peak started feeling easier, and I arrived on Penrose feeling good and on pace. Having drastically under hydrated during the previous outing, I hauled a gallon from the start, which allowed me to stay hydrated and happy over Nyack. Great Northern summit came soon enough. A cool breeze kept the afternoon comfy, as I worked through the most splendid alpine section of the traverse over Grant and Liebeg. As anticipated, it got dark near Cameawait, and I headlamped my way to the snowpatch below the Felix summit anticipating a nice long water break. I found ample water, but a stiff breeze made my planned evening break unappealing, so I kept rolling. I successfully weaved a new to me route all the way down the Northwest ridge of Felix and made a snap decision to follow a game trail all the way to the summer trail east of the divide. Moderately big mistake. I ended up loosing the game trail and generally lost a lot of time swimming through alder in search for the trail. Then botched all possible routefinding in Logan creek. Oh well. Fortunately, my body never felt too tired, and first light brought a predictable energy boost as I climbed up to point 8001.
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| First summit of fifteen. |
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| Looking back at Great Northern and getting psyched for the night. |
The second morning was sublime. Temps were crisp, the engine was still firing, body was intact, and psyche was high. The Baptiste/Cirrus/Dry Park section went really smoothly. The day became uncomfortably hot around Dry Park, and even with a snowpatch detour, I didn't secure enough water to be comfortable. Dumb mistake. High noon found me sitting in a shade patch on the last peak - Crossover - nursing a few sips from the meager water reserve and getting ready to descend into a bushwack of unknown magnitude. Fortunately, I made it out but not without getting cliffed out a few times, wearing all of the skin off my shins from brush, and shriveling down to what felt like an emaciated raisin from lack of water. Soon enough, I popped out on the Hungry Horse road and shuffled out to the car. Dodging cars flying down the dusty road at 50 mph in my sleep deprived and overheated state was quite a jarring experience after two days in the mountains alone.
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| All smiles on the second morning. |
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| Looking back from Baptiste |
Flip flops, unlimited water, and a dip in the reservoir were much appreciated. July 15 - 16, 2024; 35 hours, 4 minutes from trailhead to car. This outing was hard and exposed and challenging, but felt within my abilities. I got what I wanted to out of it. Hoping for more of this type of thing in future years.
I think my line is pretty good, but the Crossover to valley section needs some refinement. Ending at Dry Park would allow for an easier route out to the valley and avoid the kind of meh section between Crossover and Dry Park. Or, descending to the Twin creek trailhead from Crossover (skipping the portions of the trail that no longer exist) would be about as fast as the bushwack and would be a touch more aesthetic, in my opinion.
