GNP, Montana Day 1: Mount Siyeh via Siyeh Pass Trail (S6)

When I got the opportunity to take over a friends booking at Avalanche Campground in Glacier National Park I snagged it right away. I have 3 nights booked (July 17 to 20) and the site can fit 2 cars, 2 tents and up to 8 people. Those who are interested to join in as a long day trip (from Waterton or even Calgary) are welcome or contact me for campground spots. I'm posting this pretty early so it can give people time to plan.

Edit: The campground is now full with 8 of us between 2 (large) tents and 2 cars (I can sleep in my car if we need to make room in the tents). We can have 2 more joining us for a daytrip.

Mount Siyeh is the 5th highest peak at Glacier National Park and the easiest 10,000-er to climb. The mountain was named by G. B. Grinnell for a Blackfeet Indian, "Sai-yeh," who was described as being so recklessly brave that after a time none of his fellow tribal members would go with him on raids against the enemy. In Blackfeet "Sai-yeh" means Crazy Dog, or Mad Wolf. The crux is the prominent cliff band which requires fair bit of route finding. We will follow the very popular Siyeh Pass Trail for about 4km before deviating left towards our objective.

This is the first major objective of a 3 day trip. I will post one more scramble for day 2, and I may plan 1 or 2 smaller hikes for day 3 depending on what everyone feels like and the logistics to & fro the campground.

⛰️ Distance: 14.3 km
⛰️️ Elevation gain: 1225m
⛰️️ Time: 8-9 hours
⛰️️ Max Group Size: 8 (No pets, kids, guests)
⛰️️ Difficulty: S6 routes (Kane's moderate, YDS 2) will likely encounter rock bands requiring use of hands. Expect to encounter longer stretches of scree or talus and exposure to heights can be more serious. Route finding is often necessary.
⛰️️ Descriptive Links:
Weather: Typically mid 20°C during this time, will update closer to the date.
Route: https://hikingwithpar.com/2024/09/05/mount-siyeh/
Cover photo by Par Boora.
⛰️️ Meeting Location: Siyeh Bend Trailhead

⛰️️ If we have not hiked together before, please answer the question regarding your hiking experience. The waitlist for this event is not first come, first serve, but rather is based on your hiking/scrambling experience that is suitable for this hike.

⛰️️ We will move at a moderate and steady pace with short breaks only when necessary (e.g., re/delayering, bathroom, snacks, lunch). The GROUP HAS TO STAY TOGETHER.

⛰️️️ Required gear:
- climbing helmet (mandatory)
- bear spray (mandatory)
- headlamp
- water
- lunch / snacks
- sturdy hiking boots (no trail runners)
- technical outdoor clothing (no cotton, no jeans)
- appropriate layers for changing weather (rain/shell jacket, etc.)
- personal first aid kit, toilet kit.

⛰️️️ Suggested gear:
- trekking poles
- scrambling gloves
- bug spray
- summer gaiters
- sunglasses, sunscreen, hat

⛰️️️️ Disclaimer: You are fully aware that your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides and you assume all responsibility for your own safety and well-being. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, your current physical condition, current trail conditions and current avalanche conditions for the trip and you are responsible for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.