Things changed scary fast | CDT Day 2

It’s like this in the north of England and Scotland every summer

Not to down play the weather. But, some of my most memorable moments on trail are from bad weather days. Ya never forget those.

I work in s lodge way up in the mountains, can confirm, mountain weather is no joke. The other day my commute took two extra hours because we were stuck between two rock/mud slides. They had the snow plow scraping the road out while we all sat with no Wi-Fi in the pouring rain. It can turn on ya, that's for sure.

Good move on the micro spikes. I was out with my new dog bush whacking one time in early March. There was about a foot of snow on the ground and we were walking through an area that was heavily faulted. The slopes went in all directions... I'd be walking up an incline one moment and then across a side slope the next. One of those side slopes got sun whereas much of the area was shaded by hemlock trees. The next thing I knew I slipped on ice and was sliding down the face of the slope... over a small ledge... and ultimately found myself at the very bottom of the terrain. I was beat up... I laid there trying to catch my breathe as it had been knocked out of me. Next I took an inventory of my body... outside of my left elbow my bones seemed okay. I didn't seem to have any internal injuries... I crawled over to a tree and pulled myself to my feet. It took me at least a half hour to get out of the hole I was in... had to crawl up a steep embankment to get to a flat trail. It was only about a 50-60 yard "walk" but it took a long time! I managed to get myself out of the woods by myself... a good thing as I had no cell phone in those days... they were a new thing! Ultimately the elbow bone was bruised, not broken. It took months for that to stop hurting and weeks for the rest of my bruises and aches to heal up and cease. Micro spikes would have prevented that! I went back a month or so later with my son, a 100 foot tape measure and an inclinometer. I know those woods well and knew where I fell and where I landed. Best estimates based on the tape and average slope was I took about a 130 foot ride and lost about 65 in elevation. I had crashed into a few trees and rock outcroppings on the way down. Things would have been worse if not for the Filson Tin Cloth Packer Coat, insulated Tin Packer hat, and Sorel pac boots. That gear was like armor and it saved my skin! I've got Ice Bug spiked boots now for use when I know there is ice and I'm out taking a day hike. Default to the spikes if it's sketchy!

A very long time ago my first serious gf and I went camping. About 45 minutes after we set-up the tent and campfire an unpredicted monsoon took everything but the two of us hunkered down inside my Ford Bronco. Your face in the thumbnail, was my gf face for the rest of the weekend. Good times.

WOW so beautiful --crazy how fast the weather changes somewhat like Mount Washington--stay safe

You got it on video. I am in south Florida and its blazing hot. I still got a chill watching you in the mountains.

Welcome to Montana! The weather changes quick especially in that park.The grouse attack was funny though.Must have had babies close by.

Kelly that trail was so beautiful. That storm looked brutal. Get some rest and I hope the weather gets better for you.

Glad y'all made it to the Lodge!! Please stay safe! 🙏

Glad you were close to town!

Loving that you are revisiting all the places I ventured to while in GNP - love love Many Glacier Lodge.. such a throw back in time.

You do such a fantastic job at capturing the beauty of scenery.

Hang in there Kelly. You are a champ.

Yikes, glad you’re warm & safe!

That scary weather is no joke! Higher in the mountains more of a snowstorm since higher elevation is much colder.

Have been following you since the beginning. I remember backpacking across Glacier NP in 1979, from Lake Mcdonald to the east side, via Waterton NP. And crossing an ice field along the way. That was the first week in August. Thanks for sharing, and bringing back great memories.

Keep up the good work and stay safe Kelly. Thanks

Glad y’all had a safe spot to warm up and rest. The scenery is amazing—giving the spots I saw in Alaska and British Columbia a run for their money, so Glacier is moving up my travel list.

That looks like so much fun! Thanks for taking us along on the journey.