GNP, Montana Day 2: Mount Gould (S6)

Day 2 of the GNP trip (hopefully we'll all be well rested after Mt. Siyeh!)

Mount Gould is the highest point along the Garden Wall, which rises above the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It was named for George Huntington Gould a hunting companion of G. B. Grinnell who was one of the leading figures in the establishment of Glacier National Park.

We will ascend using the West Face Route which is the "easiest" (GMS Class 3; Difficult: High angle scrambling, moderate cliffs, considerable exertion). We will start from the Logan Pass visitor center on the Highline Trail until Haystack Pass which is the saddle between Haystack Butte and Mount Gould. The crux is a diorite sill rockband that looks intimidating but just needs careful route finding.

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). Marvella will be joining us for the day, we can have 1 more person joining us.

⛰️ Distance: 14.4 km
⛰️️ Elevation gain: 915m
⛰️️ 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://sonnybou.ca/ssbou2012/gould.html
Cover photo by Oliver Dodd (Mt. Gould east face reflected in Lake Josephine)
⛰️️ Meeting Location: Logan Pass Visitor Center.

⛰️️ 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.