New Video:Climbing Silver Surfer Suit 13a

Check out the newest NLTC video of Alex climbing in Gallatin Canyon.  Silver Surfer Suit is a challenging climb at "The Cube" just south of Gallatin Tower.  Filmed with a GoPro Hero2 earlier this summer.

You Belong Outside Spotlight: Local Swimming Holes

Emerald Lake (c) Kevin Dean 2011

August in Bozeman can be HOT! While Bozeman is known for its whitewater there are a few good areas where the water slows down and offers you somewhere to escape the heat. Here are some of the options for getting outside and cooling off around Southwest Montana.  This is just a few of the options, if you have others you want to add comment below!

Paddling at Bozeman Beach

Bozeman Beach

 Bozeman beach is the in-town area to cool down, located north of town off of 7th bring out your water wings and splash around.  Also a nice place to try out some paddle sports, people commonly head there to work on their kayak rolls or try stand up paddle boarding.  Not a bad spot to hang out on the beach or play some volleyball either.

Cameron Bridge on the Gallatin

There are several swimming holes on the Gallatin but Cameron bridge is easy to get to and doesn't see as much traffic as Axtell Bridge.  To get there head north from 4 Corners on Jackrabbit and turn left on Cameron Bridge Road.  Park at the fishing access upstream of the bridge and the swimming hole is easy to find.

Lava Lake

 

Lava Lake

 Lava lake is a short hike to a nice alpine lake.  About a three mile hike from the 35 mph bridge in Gallatin Canyon takes you to this high alpine lake with nice views and a rocky coastline.  The water can be a little cold but it is well worth it on a hot day.

 

 

 Green Bridge/Deer Creek Access

The Green Bridge that crosses the Gallatin at the Deer Creek trail head is a great spot to go and cool off.  A popular place for bridge jumping and quick swims.  The current makes it hard to sit and relax but a nice place to hang out none the less.

Ouesel Falls

 Ouesel Falls near Big Sky offers some great river  pools to cool off during the heat of the summer.  A short hike in with several different pools for swimming or just wading in and relaxing. The falls are about a mile down the trail and just below the falls is the largest pool.  Well worth the short hike but this water can be a little cooler than other areas on here.

Calm water of Ennis Lake

Ennis Lake

Ennis lake is a popular spot for fisherman and boaters alike but there are some great areas to jump in and take a swim. The north side of the lake has some deeper water for about a half mile up from the dam which offers a nice spot to jump in.

Madison River

The Madison river in August is best known for floating, The water is too shallow for swimming and too warm for fishing so grab a tube and head out that way.  While a large area around the river burned in a large wildfire earlier this year it is back open and while the water is pretty warm this time of year it is still a great option for an afternoon cool down.  The most common float is from Warm Springs to Blacks Ford and takes about 4.5-5 hours but shorter options are available. 

Hyalite Reservoir

Hyalite Reservoir just south of Bozeman is one of the most popular stretches of water for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fly fishing. On a nice hot day grab a stand-up paddle board and head into Hyalite for some still water paddle boarding under the spectacular mountains of Hyalite.

Fairy Lake

Fairy Lake may be more of a pond than an actual lake it is home to a nice little rope swing.  Swing in and cool off under the summits of the North Bridgers. 

This is just a quick list of some of the great places near Bozeman to go cool off.  It is nowhere near a comprehensive list, with dozens of alpine lakes, rivers, ponds, and creeks around there are many more areas for you to explore.  For more info on local outdoor areas check out the Our Backyard section of our website.  Your comments and critiques are welcome as we spotlight areas of Southwest Montana we know and love.  Email Kevin with any thoughts, corrections, or suggestions.

Last Post: Skiing the Blaze

You Belong Outside Spotlight: Skiing the Blaze

Jeff Lee skiing the Blaze June 9th (c)K. Dean 2012

Blaze Mountain, Spanish Peaks. Long after most people put their skis away for the season a few people won't quite give it up. That is where "the Blaze" comes in; a nice northwest facing snowfield that holds snow into August and most years it holds snow year round. This is a great objective for someone who wants to get another ski run in and is willing to work for it.  It is about a 7 mile approach and its a great way to introduce yourself to the Spanish Peaks.

The Approach following Spanish Creek (c) K. Dean 201

 It is recommended to have a good ski carry system on your backpack. Also wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots for the long approach.  You shouldn't need skins or AT gear but having self arrest gear and avalanche gear are always recommended any time you go backcountry skiing.    The long approach can be done as a single day or an overnight. Mirror Lake and the Spanish Lakes are two excellent camping options but most people will elect to go lighter and make it a long day (6-12 hours for most parties). 

August 2010 conditions (c)Jeff Lee

 Getting there: Getting there is pretty simple, head south on 191 from 4 corners and once you enter the canyon take the Spanish Creek Road on the right about half a mile from the entrance to the canyon. Follow the road through private land several miles until you reach the Spanish Creek trail head.  Watch out for Buffalo on your drive especially if you are headed out early in the morning.

The Approach:Take the Spanish Creek trail (not to be confused with the Hellroaring trail head) along Spanish Creek, there are several forks in this trail but you should follow the signs for Spanish Lakes.  Blaze Mountain is about 6 miles up the trail with about a mile of bushwhacking to get to the top of the snowfield.  Typically you can see the Blaze from the trail and finding a route up to it is relatively straightforward.  The Blaze is the obvious snow line on the Northwest face and will run anywhere from 800 to 1800 vertical feet.  Hike up the scree on either side of the snow to the top.

The Blaze in the middle of June (c) K.Dean 2012

The Descent:  From the top you have great views of the rest of the Spanish Peaks, the summit of Blaze mountain is a short scramble away.  The descent is straightforward, stay on the snow and get in some turns.  The difficulty varies depending on the snow pack, when it is full the Blaze will ski like a moderate but later in the summer it can become more difficult. Typically the top stays in good condition but the lower you get the skinnier the line gets. 1500 vertical feet is nice but it is pretty easy to lap the Blaze and get several runs in if the weather is clear.

Crossing the stream on the way out.

The Beartooth Publishing map Big Sky Area shows the trails and mountains and is the recommended map if you are headed into the Spanish Peaks area.  Depending on the time of year you need to be wary of the weather and snow conditions.  It is a good idea to always travel with a partner and to let someone know where you are going.  For more info on local outdoor areas check out the Our Backyard section of our website.  Your comments and critiques are welcome as we spotlight areas of Southwest Montana we know and love.  Email Kevin with any thoughts, corrections, or suggestions.

Last post: Granite Peak

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Free Soloing Gallatin Tower

Check out this video of a NLTC employee getting out and getting after it before work.  Free Soloing the standard route on Gallatin Tower.  3 pitches graded at 5.8 trad it is one of the classic lines in Gallatin Canyon and a must climb for Southwest Montana climbers.
For more videos check out our youtube channel.

You Belong Outside Spotlight:Granite Peak Alpine Climbing

Granite Peak 12,799 from Tempest Mountain. (c) Kevin Dean 2012

Granite Peak, the highest summit in Montana, is often called the toughest state high point in the lower 48 states.  While there are several that are higher, none of them have the unique combination of remoteness, exposure, and unpredictable weather that make Granite such a tough mountain to climb. Summiting is mostly considered a two or three day trip, but depending on your fitness level and which route you choose it can be done in a day.  Granted, for most of us, that is a very long day. There are multiple established routes to the summit and two great references (both are currently out of print): Select Peaks of Greater Yellowstone by Thomas Turiano and the Granite Peak map and climbing guide by Joe Josephson. 

Getting There:  There are several ways to approach Granite. The two most common trailheads are East Rosebud and West Rosebud.  To get there from Bozeman head East on I-90 to Columbus and go south to Absorkee. To get to West Rosebud head to Fishkill, Montana and take FR 72 to the West Rosebud/Mystic Lake trailhead.  For East Rosebud take 78 from Absorkee to Roscoe and from there take FR 177 East Rosebud Road and follow the signs to East Rosebud. Park at the Phantom Creek trailhead.

Goats on Froze-to-Death Plateau (c) Kevin Dean 2010

The Approach: The approach is one of the biggest reasons Granite is such a tough mountain to summit.  There is noa direct way to the top. The most common route is to cross Froze-to-Death Plateau.  As uninviting as it sounds this is considered the easiest way across. Loose rock and Alpine tundra can make this a slow slog, but the views make it well worth the hike. There is also an active mountain goat population that is commonly seen on the Plateau.  Route finding can be very difficult but there are cairns along most of the way.  It is recommended to have a map with you in order to choose the best route.  Please tread lightly and be aware that this is a fragile environment; take efforts to stay in the rocks or along a trail, avoiding the grasses and wildflowers.

The East Ridge. (c) Kevin Dean 2010

The Standard Route: The standard route has three general parts: the east face (commonly called the triangle), the snow bridge, and the technical upper mountain.  The triangle is a straightforward scramble up scree or snow (depending on the season) followed by a traverse to the snow bridge.  Crossing the snow bridge can be tricky though it varies from season to season.  Once on the other side you are about 800 feet below the summit.  Route finding through the chimneys and ledges will take you to the south side of the mountain where you will look for the keyhole feature above you.  There are several different variations and using your own judgement is a must in order to find the best way to the top.  Climbing moves top out between 5.5 and 5.7 with most moves in the 5.3 range. Bringing a rope is recommended. While some parties decide they don't need it on the way up it makes the descent much faster and safer.

Matt Weiland skiing the Notch Couloir (c) Loren Rausch

Other Routes: There are several other routes that have been established on Granite Peak. The North Face has three routes that mix alpine rock with some steep snow and ice.
The Notch Couloir, is a tricky climb/ski line with a pitch over 50 degrees and can be downright scary depending on the snow conditions.  This is a very steep line but also a classic ski descent in Southwest Montana.
The Clanch Route and Chadwick-Bowman routes are two big alpine routes that start with climbing the Granite Glacier and then take on the large north face.

Bridget Belliveau on the South Face. (c)Loren Rausch 2010

Another great option is the Northwest Ridge Traverse. It's a long route, but worth the time and effort. This gives you some of the best views of Granite and will put you on the little climbed Northwest summit which is only about 50 feet below the main summit. From there, rappel down into the notch couloir and climb two pitches to the main summit.
Fewer routes have been documented from the south side but with an adventurous spirit and some route finding skills there are several routes up both rock and snow from that aspect. Check out this link to one such route.

Kasey Wells on the summit (c) Matt Parsons

Weather:  Thunderstorms are a large concern in the Beartooths, Afternoon is the most dangerous time and most parties plan on doing early ascents in order to be back on their way down by the afternoon.  In addition it is not uncommon to see snow showers high in the mountains at any point in the year, so be prepared for cold weather. A 90 degree day in Bozeman can be barely above freezing when you top out on Granite Peaks summit!

View of Granite from Mount Hague (c) Loren Rausch

Approaching Mystic Lake from West Rosebud.  (c) Matt Parsons

Granite Peak is just one of many excellent options for climbing in the Beartooth Mountains.  Whether you are looking for peak bagging or alpine climbing, there are countless opportunities in the Beartooth Mountains that can keep you busy for years. Check out the Beartooth Publishing map of the Beartooths or stop by and check out a few of the guidebooks that highlight the area.  Climbing is a dangerous activity and having the right equipment and a partner are necessary for a safe outing. For those who may not be ready to head out on their own there are guided climbs available through Jackson Hole Mountain Guides.

Your comments and critiques are welcome as we show off areas of Southwest Montana we know and love. Email Kevin with any thoughts, corrections, or suggestions.

Last Post: Bear Canyon Sport Climbing

New Route Book

Calling all Southwest Montana climbers!

Have you put up any new routes lately?  Add them to the new route book located in the climbing gear section of Northern Lights.

 

One of the current entries.

New routes are going up every year and we would like to see the climbing community come together and showcase their collective hard work! Bear Canyon, Natural Bridge, Wolverine Basin, Gallatin Canyon, Frog Rock, and Morgan Cemetery are just a few of the places that have seen new routes put up.  If you put in the sweat, time, and money; stop in and write a short description, draw a picture, and describe whatever else you think is appropriate for people to know about your route.  

A new multi-pitch route on Frog Rock

A Continuum of the old Barrel Ice Book- "Dedicated to the Climbers past, present, and future and the spirit shared by all those who love the hills-to share your love for climbing is a gift-write down your events"  -Alex Lowe

Morgan Cemetery

In addition if you want to try some new routes, come in and check out the book.  New beta is being added all the time and this gives you a chance to explore new climbs and different crags. Hope to see you soon!
If you would like to contribute an entry but won't be able to stop by the shop feel free to send an email with your entry and we will get it into the book!

You Belong Outside Spotlight: Bear Canyon Sandstone Sport Climbing

Brit T climbing after work at Bear Canyon.

Bear Canyon is a great place to introduce someone to outdoor climbing.  It's close to town, has a short approach, shorter routes, and ranges from 5.8 to 5.13.  The routes are well documented in both guidebooks for the Bozeman area and this description is meant to be an introduction to the area. Due to the short approach Bear Canyon is popular with the after work crowd.  The moderate climbs on the north side of the crag get enough sunlight to climb till sunset so its a good idea to bring a headlamp for the walk out.

Getting There: From Bozeman there are two ways to get there depending on which part of town you live in.  From the south of town head East on Kagy Blvd. Bear Canyon Road is about 4 miles from the intersection with Highland Blvd.
From the North of town it may be easier to take I-90 to the Bear Canyon exit.  Take a right exiting the off-ramp and Bear Canyon road is less than 200 yards east of the exit. 
Turn onto Bear Canyon Road and continue to the Bear Canyon trailhead which is at the very end of the road.  There is very limited parking near the Bear Canyon trailhead so park at the New World Gulch trailhead and walk up the road to the Bear Canyon Trail. 

Bear Canyon Sandstone

The Approach:  It is one of the quickest approaches near Bozeman, head a short ways up the Bear Canyon trailhead, there is a collection of small boulders on the right side with a Cairn marking the climbers trail.  From here you should see an obvious trail with a large log crossing the stream.  If you don't see the log you probably have not gone far enough but if you reach the bridge you have gone too far.  From the bridge it is about 100 yards back up the trail to get to the climbers trail.

Once you are at the Crag there are three ways that you can head, to the left are some terrific moderate routes, straight ahead are two more excellent moderates, and around to the right are where the harder routes are set up.  

Batman and Robin from the trail.

Batman and Robin Slab: Batman and Robin are two classic routes in Bear Canyon located right next to each other on the large rock straight up the trail.  Both of these are slab climbs with lots of nice pockets. Start on Batman (the left one) and once you are warmed up give Robin a try.

Both of these routes can be top roped if you walk around to the right but the best practice would be to have someone climb it on lead and set up the top rope since there is risk of rockfall and some tricky exposure to get to the top of these routes from around the back.

Jeff Lee climbing Skin Diver.

Under the Sea Wall: The other moderate section is down the hill slightly and to the north.  There are 5 climbs and from right to left go 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.9, 5.10.  These climbs have more cracks and flakes than Batman and Robin, are slightly longer and offer a little different climbing feel. They are an option if another party is climbing on the Batman and Robin slab.

Skin Diver is the first climb on the right and a good place to start.  At 5.8 it is the easiest of the 5 climbs but it is a fun one, the flakes give up some great side pulls and under cling moves and the bolts are close together for those who are new to leading.

South Sea is just to the left and another neat climb with a tricky transition in the middle.  Good foot holds make this a fun but very approachable 5.9. 

Further up are the last 3 moderates, from right to left Under the Sea 10b, Sea Bucket 5.9, and Coral Crimper 10a.  Each of these have something a little different and are fun routes.  Under the Sea has a small roof that is a little tricky but well protected, Sea Bucket is difficult for the first 3-4 bolts, and Coral Crimper has a tricky slab traverse mid way through the route.

The right side of the prow.

The Prow:  If you are looking for something a little more challenging there are some 11s and 12s on the other side of the Batman and Robin slab.  Kick the Bucket and Ignition are two of the best. Check out Southwest Montana Rock Climbs for more information on these routes.

In addition to the Sandstone there are some Limestone crags higher up the canyon that don't see as much use.  For more information on those climbs check out Bozeman Rock Climbs by Bill Dockins.  Climbing is a dangerous activity and having the right equipment and a partner are necessary for a safe outing.  Spire Climbing Center is a great place to start and there are also guided climbs available through Montana Alpine Guides.Your comments and critiques are welcome as we show off areas of Southwest Montana we know and love. Email Kevin with any thoughts, corrections, or suggestions.

Last Post: Gallatin River Kayaking

Northern Lights Youtube

Check out our latest GoPro video from the Gallatin River.  A couple NLTC employees headed out to the Gallatin to get a quick lap in after work.  The video shows from Moose Creek to Lava Lake on June 13th.  The river was flowing at about 2300 cfs. For more videos check out our Youtube channel.

Northern Lights Owner Weighs in on Whitewater Season

BEN PIERCE, Chronicle Outdoors Editor

"After a hot-and-cold start to the summer season, whitewater boaters are finally getting their fix. Since the start of the week, the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers have all risen dramatically and high flows are expected to continue through the weekend.

Meteorologist intern Zach Uttech of the National Weather Service in Great Falls said snowpack in the Madison and Gallatin mountain ranges has dipped dramatically over the last few days. Uttech said snow levels at 8,800 feet on Lone Mountain dropped from a foot to an inch over the past week.

That water is making its way down tributaries to the Gallatin River where flows spiked over 5,200 cubic feet per second on Tuesday. Uttech said peak flows for the season were likely on Wednesday or today, dependent on the impact of rain water from severe storms that passed through the area Tuesday evening.

“The storms over Memorial Day weekend dropped 6-14 inches of snow, depending on elevation, and the warm temperatures have melted much of that snow out in the last few days,” Uttech said. “This time of year I would put more emphasis on the snowmelt in regard to river levels.”

No matter how high flows get this season, for whitewater boaters it’s sure to pale in comparison to 2011. Last summer’s runoff saw historic flows on most rivers across the state and caused severe flooding in parts of central and eastern Montana.

“Last year, we had big water into August,” said Mike Garcia of Northern Lights Trading Co. “This year we are going to be chewing our nails by mid-July. I think we are going to be way low by the end of June for whitewater.” Garcia said boaters planning river trips can access statewide stream flow data through the USGS’s National Water Information System website.

“The whitewater kayakers know what flows are best for what runs,” Garcia said. “The Yellowstone is at 19,500cfs, so they are heading down to the wave at Springdale. Canoers might look at the Yellowstone gauge at 20,000cfs and figure they may wait a week.” Garcia said the Mad Mile of the Gallatin River in Gallatin Canyon, Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison River and the wave at Springdale on the Yellowstone River will be popular spots for boaters in the coming days."

Read the Full Article Here!

You Belong Outside Spotlight: Gallatin River Kayaking

Mike Perry on the Gallatin

The Gallatin River is  home to some of the best whitewater in Southwest Montana.  Between Big Sky and Squaw Creek there are some great rapids ranging from class I to class IV.  The river is exciting during spring runoff but can be more technical at lower levels.  Check the river conditions before you go.

Brit Theison leaving Moose Creek

Getting there: From Bozeman the easiest way to get there is head west on Main Street (Huffine) and turn South on HWY 191 at Four Corners.  Great places to put in are Deer Creek, Moose Creek, 35 MPH Bridge but any pulloff will do.  Most people will take a couple cars and leave one at the takeout as a shuttle.  The river can be busy during the peak season with rafting parties and other kayakers, so keep that in mind when choosing places to put in and take out.

Overview:From Moose Creek to the Storm Castle takeout is about 10 miles and can be split into two different floats.  The Gallatin is a great road side river that you can scout almost all of the rapids before you get there.  The first half of the float between Moose Creek and Cascade Creek (commonly known as the 35 MPH Bridge) is typically in the class I-class III range and offers some great moderate water before the more challenging  section after the 35 MPH bridge.  It is recommended that any novice paddlers take out at the 35 MPH bridge because the lower section is more difficult and can be a long swim if you wet exit from your boat. Also keep in mind that the river will run very differently depending on the river flows, beware of wood in the river and at low water the river can be very rocky.  On the other side of the spectrum high water washes out some rapids and makes others much bigger know the river conditions and be adequately prepared.

Brit Theison in the Mad Mile

The Paddle: The upper section has some great smaller rapids starting with the Swan Creek rapid, from there you get a break before the rapids start picking up Barbie's Revenge, Picture Rock, and New Rock rapids quickly dump you into the Screaming Left Turn Rapid.  This is one of the best rapids of this section.  After that you have three more rapids before the 35 MPH bridge.  The best of these is the middle one named the Hilarity Hole.
From the 35 MPH bridge you go through a two mile section of river that is tighter, the water is faster, and the rapids are bigger making this it a test piece for Southwest Montana.  Starting with the Entrance Exam and the Snaggletooth rapid you head toward House Rock a class IV rapid that is a gathering point for photographers and tourists watching boaters paddle by.  Directly down river is dubbed the "Mad Mile," a narrow class III-class IV boulder field that is non-stop and packs a punch, many local paddlers have swam this section and often it turns into a long swim because there are not the options to eddy out.  Once you are through the Mad Mile enjoy the views and relax a little bit till you get to the takeout located on the west bank (paddlers left).  From there its time to pack up your shuttle car or hitchhike and repeat!

Mike Perry Paddling Past House Rock

Mike Perry running the Gallatin during high water 2011 
Once you're done:  Head down to Stacey's Bar in Gallatin Gateway for a drink and some food, also a great place to check out some country music like 10ft Tall and 80 Proof or The Dirty Shame.

There are several other sections worth paddling on the Gallatin; putting in at Deer Creek gives you another section of river to enjoy, and a good class I-class II section exists from Storm Castle north to the Storm Castle bridge or Spanish Creek Bridge.  For more information check out one of the river maps available at the barn.
Paddling is a dangerous activity and having the right equipment and a good crew are necessary for a safe outing.  Another option to get out on the Gallatin is to take a guided raft trip.  Montana Whitewater has a location right on the river, check out their website for more information.  For more info on local outdoor areas check out the Our Backyard section of our website.  Your comments and critiques are welcome as we spotlight areas of Southwest Montana we know and love.
Last Post:  Madison River Bouldering 

You Belong Outside Spotlight: Madison River Bouldering

Neat Rock

The Madison River is a recreation hot spot in Southwest Montana.  Fly fishing, floating, white water boating, hiking, camping, and climbing are all common activities along the lower Madison.  The climbing here is great during the spring because it is often warmer and dryer than the climbing areas around Bozeman.   It is also closer than the more well known Whiskey Gulch Bouldering area.  While the opportunities are not as endless as they are in Whiskey Gulch it is still a worthy area to check out with some great problems.

Getting there: Head west from 4 corners on State Hwy 84.  You will reach the Madison River in about twenty miles, drive past the Red Mountain campground and turn right at the fishing access on the other side of the Hwy 84 bridge.  Take the road on the west side of the Madison back toward Neat Rock.  About 2.5 miles down the road it forks, take the left fork and park near the cliff.

Neat Rock Area

 Located just south of Neat Rock (a popular climbing crag) are several boulder problems, here is a map for reference.  (courtesy of Loren's Madison River Bouldering Guide).

Below are descriptions of a few worthy problems with pictures.

Loren Rausch on Tick Season

Tick Boulder- Tick Season V0

A great warm up problem, the crack is located on the west side of the boulder.  A relatively self explanatory problem, follow the finger crack to the top.   Another V0 warm-up is about 30 feet east of this boulder called the Serendipity Slab.  Check the map for reference.

Loren Rausch on Follow the Wind

 The Wind Boulder-Follow the Wind V5

The Wind Boulder is a prominent feature further west of the Tick Boulder.  There are several problems on it ranging from V0 to V7. Follow the Wind is the best of the group, a V5 problem with slopers and a difficult mantle to top out this problem is a good challenge after you have warmed up.  Wind Weaver V3 is another fun problem with a dyno move and another mantle top out.

Loren Rausch on Bridge Over Troubled Waters

 The Cow Skull Boulder-  Bridge Over Troubled Waters V0-

The Cow Skull Boulder is the next boulder to the west and holds some hard problems.  In addition there is one V0 worth a go, Bridge Over Troubled Waters works a sloping shelf with good foot holds on the East side of the boulder.  Others to try are Bovine intervention V4 and Yesteryear V6.

Loren Rausch on The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Boulder-The Butterfly Effect V6

Arguably the best problem in the area The Butterfly Effect is a difficult V6 problem with slopers, challenging crimpers  and a heel hook thrown in for good measure.  With a juggy top out this is a great problem worth the slightly longer hike.


Once you're done:  Head down to Norris Hot Springs for a soak and a beer (if you are 21).  Great place to enjoy some music and soak your sore muscles. 

There are several other boulders with established problems in the area for a better guide check out this Madison River Bouldering Guide created by Loren Rausch and hosted by boulderingmontana.com.  Be aware of ticks, poison ivy, and rattle snakes, these can be much more of a problem mid summer but be aware none the less.  Climbing is a dangerous activity and having the right equipment and a spotter are necessary for a safe outing.  Your comments and critiques are welcome as we show off areas of Southwest Montana we know and love.

Last Post: Middle Basin Spring Tour

NBC Montana Talks to Mike Garcia

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Sporting goods stores say spring weather is bringing in customers.
"As soon as we get some nice days and some good weather, which obviously we've had a lot of that coming into this spring, but its the spring thing we call it and people are looking to do anything and everything: rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, spring skiing, hiking, mountain biking," said owner of Northern Lights Trading Company, Mike Garcia.And while the retailers say this winter's weather brought weak sales, they're predicting warmer weather will set up a busy summer.
"No, you can't make up for a bad season, it just doesn't work because we only have x number of people here and that's why we live here. We don't have two million people down the road to sell to. But we all get the great reward of recreating here in this wonderful valley and this incredible area that we live in," said Garcia.
 
Read the Full Text Here

You Belong Outside Spotlight: Middle Basin Spring Skiing

Middle Basin, located between Beehive and Bear Basin in the Spanish Peaks is a great place to go for a spring tour.  It offers a wide variety of terrain from rocky steeps to wide open mellow slopes.  A popular line known as the Buttcrack chute is one of the best options.  Located on the far end of the basin if you skin in from Beehive it is a worthy objective for a good moderate day tour.  The top of the basin is a great place to check out the views of the Spanish Peaks, Lone Peak, and the Southern Madison Range.  In addition keep an eye out for Mountain Goats.

The Line:  Buttcrack Chute, Middle Basin

The Approach: Start at the Upper Beehive Basin Trail head and follow the trail into Beehive Basin, after about a mile of moderate skinning the trail will split with tracks continuing to head north into Beehive Basin and other tracks going east to the top of the ridge between Beehive and Bear Basin.  Take the skin track going east and climb to the top of the ridge.  Once at the top you will have a great view of both Bear Basin and Beehive, looking North you will see where Bear Basin and Middle Basin split (Middle Basin being the western of the two.  From here you want to follow the ridge line North until you find a good spot to ski down into Middle.

Head North in Middle Basin to the obvious highpoint.  The easiest approach is lookers right of the large rocks.  From this highpoint you can see countless lines to ski with the more conservative lines heading back into Middle Basin and several steeper lines heading into upper Bear Basin.  Be aware of snow and avalanche conditions before you head out and make an assessment once you are there.  A great line is the "Butt Crack" Chute shown in red on the picture below...

From the bottom of the line you have the option to swing back to your skin track for another lap or head back to Beehive and ski to the car.  See below for the video and some more pictures of the area.

The Video

The View of Beehive Peak in the distance and some intriguing lines into Bear Basin.

Gallatin Peak and Upper Bear Basin.

Lone Peak with the Southern Madison Range.

The You Belong Outside Spotlight is a new blog update brought to you by Northern Lights Trading Company.  It will spotlight different areas and activities in an effort to show why Bozeman is such a great place to recreate!  Also check out the Our Backyard section of our website.  The information given here is just a start. Make sure you are well prepared and let someone know where you are going before you head out into the backcountry.  Weather and snow conditions can change very quickly. Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared with the correct safety gear and the knowledge of how to use it.  Your comments and critiques are welcome as we try to show off some areas of Southwest Montana that we know and love.

CHILDREN AND PETS THE FOCUS OF COMMUNITY FUND GRANTS IN APRIL

Courtesy:  Heart of the Valley

The Northern Lights Community Fund is proud to announce the awarding of its April grants to Big Sky Youth Empowerment, Thrive and Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. $1,000 will be split among the three organizations to help fund their missions.

“We understand that healthy communities start with healthy kids,” Mike Garcia, owner of Northern Lights, said recently. “Whether it's after-school programs, healthy activities on the weekend or supporting parents with the sometimes difficult task of parenting, Northern Lights is committed to fostering an environment where children thrive.” 

The Community Fund grants will go toward specific projects within each organization. Heart of the Valley Executive Director, Phil Rogers stated “the shelter is in desperate need of support for supplies for our campers at Pets Pal Summer Camp to use during their week-long day camps. Our summer day camp is popular with children aged six to twelve, but it’s costly for us to run. When Northern Lights stepped up to fill that need we were thrilled!”

Northern Lights Trading Company established their Community Fund with the goal of clearly demonstrating the direct and positive effects of a consumer's local spending on the Bozeman community. They have committed to donating $1,000 per month to a selection of conservation and human interest organizations that help make Montana a great place to live and recreate.

Learn more about this month's Northern Lights Community Fund recipients here.

Northern Lights Donates $1,000 to GYC & BMWF

Bob Marshall Wilderness and Greater Yellowstone Coalition March Community Fund Recipients

 

Check out press on our Community Fund grants below. Northern Lights is proud to support conservation, trail building and maintenance in these Montana treasures. Learn more about the Northern Lights Community Fund here.

 

Northern Lights’ March Community Fund Grants go toward wilderness and trails

Bozeman's Northern Lights Trading Co. Awards March Grants

 

Learn to Kayak at The Barn

Learn to kayak with the folks at The Barn. This class will get you ready to hit the water when the snow melts. This introductory-level class teaches you everything you'll need to know to get started:  kayaking safety, paddle technique, gear selection, rolling and more. We provide almost everything you'll need. There are a limited number of spots, so please call us if you're interested or if you would like more information.

Danielle will be leading the class again this year and she can be reached at The Barn at 585-2090 or at ddesmond@northerlightstrading.com.

Northern Lights has been providing kayak classes to the community of Bozeman for over 30 years. In fact, Northern Lights was founded on our owner, Mike Garcia's passion for boating. If you've never checked out The Barn, come see us off Huffine Lane, behind Slumberland Furniture and see why we're the best place to buy rafting, kayaking, canoeing and general river-running gear and clothing. We'll see you on the water!