Montana Hike Slide Show

Montana Hiking 11/2011

Got to do some hiking in Elk Park Montana. Saturday morning down time during a 4-night gig week. We played in White Fish, Columbia Falls, Butte and Wise River. It was as cold as 7 below and didn't get about 20 for the duration of our trip. It was amazing though, that after a few days you really do acclimate to the frigid weather. Coming home to Nashville, the wet dismal, drisal was almost a disapointment compared to the dry freeze-over in Montana. My hike was 4 miles, the snow was mostly over the top of my hiking boots. It made the going slow and heavy. I left from cabin in Elk Park, which is just outside of Butte. The elevation is 6,000 to 7,000 feet depending on were in the hike I was. I have been through all of the these parts before so I did, for the most part know where I was, but at the same time relied on my GPS to keep me on track. Although it was frigid, I didn't need that much clothing. I was sweating for most of the hike and can see how overheating really could work against a person in the event they were injured and trying to defend against hypothermia. It was rifle season in Montana, so I wore orange just to be safe. Although I saw no other signs of humans anywhere. I also carried a 243 Ruger so as not to get eaten by Montana critters.