EARLY FALL HIKING IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
SEPT 12-19, 2015
AT# 15
Join us for a fantastic week of activities in one of the
world’s most beautiful parks. We will be visiting this
gorgeous area in the off peak season when crowds are gone
and the scenery is magnificent as the park readies itself for
the coming winter. The wildflowers will still be blooming,
but the mosquitoes will be absent! The air will be crisp and
clear in the mornings as we drink our coffee in this pristine
environment. We’ll enjoy the stress free life away from
work and our everyday routines as we learn about the park
and its inhabitants.
We’ll be guests of the Glacier Institute for our week of park
exploration. Their instructors and naturalists will be with us
each day as we discover some of Glacier National Park’s
wonders. The Glacier Institute (GI) staff will pick us up at
the airport and deliver us to their Field Camp at the
southeast corner of the park. Each day we will have an
opportunity to hike within the park and learn about the area
we are visiting from the GI staff.
Summary:
Join us for seven days of hiking in spectacular Glacier
National Park, Montana. Glacier National Park was set
aside as the 10th National Park on May 11th, 1910.
Accompanied by our outdoor experts and naturalists from
the Glacier Institute (http://www.glacierinstitute.org/ ), we
will observe the park’s geology, climate change, flora and
fauna, as we enjoy its spectacular hiking opportunities.
We’ll stay and take our morning and evening meals inside
the park at the Institute’s Glacier Park Field Camp. This
trip is designed for people who are comfortable and capable
of hiking 5 to 12 miles per day at a moderate pace over
moderately strenuous terrain who want to appreciate the
spectacular scenery and the opportunity to learn about the
area and the natural history from naturalists and experts at
the Glacier Institute. Those who wish will also have the
opportunity to go on a river raft trip on one of our days.
Our program involves both great hiking and a genuine
learning experience. It needs to be stressed, that while
enjoying the hiking, you should also be prepared for stops
to learn, appreciate, take pictures, and observe. If you prefer
uninterrupted, fast-paced hiking, this is not the trip for you.
On the other hand, you will not feel that the learning takes
away from the hiking – be assured, this is an active hiking
trip.
Old Growth forests, windswept prairies, ancient glaciers
and deep lakes are all a part of the wonderful national park.
In the space of a few miles, visitors can travel from lush
cedar/hemlock forest through alpine meadows to the edge
of the western prairies. George Bird Grinnell, co-founder of
the Audubon Society and the Boon and Crockett Club, often
visited this place where the prairies give way to glacier-
sculpted mountains. Grinnell was a tireless advocate both
of the interests of native Blackfeet people and for the
establishment of Glacier National Park. It was Grinnell
who aptly named this place the “Crown of the Continent” in
1908. From the Triple Divide Peak, southeast of Logan
Pass, a hand’s width can determine whether a raindrop
becomes part of the Columbia, Mississippi, or
Saskatchewan River systems. This park is one of the few
areas in North America where grizzly bears sill live at peace
with humans. Wolves were once persecuted close to
extinction in the surrounding region, but they have found
peace and safety when they crossed the 49th parallel back
into Glacier National Park to begin reclaiming their
wilderness birthright.
People come to this meeting place from around the world.
Here they find peace among the peaks and savor the scenery
that was carved by glaciers from some of the world’s oldest
sedimentary rocks. Come with us as we explore this
fantastic natural wonder!
Glacier National Park (http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm )
is a hiker’s paradise, with over 1 million acres, 730 miles of
trails, soaring peaks, awe-inspiring glaciers, and frequent
wildlife encounters. It is the perfect place to explore the
backcountry on foot. Glacier’s backcountry rules prevent
AMC leaders from taking groups into Glacier unless
working with an approved outfitter or educational partner.
The Glacier Institute:
The Glacier Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated
to connecting people with the natural and cultural wonders
of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem, the heart of
which is Montana’s Glacier National Park. Glacier
Institute’s slogan is “Learning Gone Wild. From the
experiences of previous AMC trips, we know that GI
delivers! In Field Camp at the beginning of each day, the
Institute’s staff person will brief us at Field Camp, and will
accompany us on all of our hikes (5 days by a naturalist).
The Institute is most welcoming to questions and interactive
participation.
Additional Information References
You are encouraged to learn about Glacier National Park
before we arrive on site. Local book shops, outdoor stores
or web retailers are the source of guidebooks, maps and
other resources. Web based resources include:
http://nps.gov/glac National Park Service
http://nps.gov/archive/glac/maps/glaciermap.pdf Glacier
National Park map
http://www.glacierinstitute.org/ Glacier Institute
http://glaci
er.nationalpark.com/v
isit.htm
Visitor
Guide
http://brow
ningmonta
na.com/mu
seum.html
Museum of
the Plains Indian
http://www.doi.gov/iacb/museums/museum_plains.html
Museum of the Plains Indian
http://www.iflyglacier.com/ Kalispell MT airport
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We will stay at Glacier Park Field Camp for 7 nights, a
National Park Service facility operated by the Glacier
Institute, with simple accommodations in a beautiful
location. The Field Camp is located just inside Glacier
National Park, 1 mile from West Glacier on a bluff
overlooking the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Each
rustic, unheated, plywood cabin has 4 twin beds with
nightstands and lamps. The beds have a bottom sheet.
Pillows and blankets are available. Some people may wish
to bring a sleeping bag, or a sleep sack, or just bring a top
sheet and pillowcase. Depending on the makeup of our
group, we may mix genders within cabins. There is a
separate bathhouse with 4 individual showers (bring your
own towel) and 5 individual toilets. Other buildings house
the kitchen/dining area, the classroom, and the library.
There is a tipi (tepee/teepee) for “hanging out” but not for
sleeping.
Do not
expect
phones or
television.
Cell phone
reception is
spotty or
nonexistent in
the Park.
Glacier
Institute
will
provide simple but hearty meals through a caterer, including
packed lunches for our hikes. After dinner you may just
choose to relax, or check out the campus library, with lots
of books and pelts, skulls, bird wings, etc. There are also
great flat, mellow trails around camp for strolling through
the woods by the river.
If you prefer vegetarian meal options, please note that on
your trip application form so that we can make advance
arrangements with Glacier Institute.
COSTS:
Cost for this adventure is $1636 and includes the following:
Services of a Glacier Institute instructor for 4 days
Services of a Glacier Institute naturalist for 3 days
3 evening presentations
Lodging at GI Field Camp for 7 nights
All meals from night of arrival to breakfast on day of
departure
Transportation to/from airport in GI van
Transportation to/from group activities in GI van
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy,
you will subsidize the leaders’ costs. However, the
leaders may not realize a profit from this excursion. Any
unspent trip funds will be refunded to the participants.
The trip fee also includes an AMC overhead cost to
offset the administrative expenses of offering Major
Excursions. That charge amounts to 20% of land costs
(i.e., air travel costs are not included in calculating the
overhead charge). Unavoidable cost increases may also
be added to the price of the trip.
Costs not included in trip fee:
Airfare from home departure city to Glacier National
Park
Alcoholic beverages
Items of a personal nature, souvenirs, gratuities to
Glacier Institute staff
Trip Cancelation insurance
Please contact the trip leader or co leader for an application and
other necessary forms. You will be required to send a check or
money order for $1000 made out to AMC in order to hold your
spot
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
$1000
Deposit
due at
time of
applicat
ion,
check
made
out to:
AMC
$ 636
due by
April
1st, 2015
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancellation must be in writing and post marked prior
to dates listed below:
Prior to April 1st, 2015- All money returned except
$100 Nonrefundable portion
After April 1st, 2015----Cancellation fee is $200 plus
any additional money necessary to keep the trip cost
from increasing and creating a greater expense to
other trip participants. The cancellation fee will be
limited to $200, IF a qualified replacement can be
found by the trip leaders. We will establish a waiting
list. This if you cancel and are not replaced, you will
forfeit the $200 plus the per capita expenses already
incurred and any other unpaid expenses for which
the trip cannot obtain a refund. Your cancellation
shall not raise the cost of the trip to any of the
participants or the leaders. You may forfeit the entire
trip fee. Flight tickets once purchased become your
property and are generally non-refundable. We
strongly recommend that you purchase travel
insurance. Information on a company recommended
by the AMC will be sent to you. Trip insurance is
recommended, since an illness, accident or death in
the family can interfere with your plans. Trip
insurance can be obtained through your travel agent
or the leaders will provide you with a
brochure/information of a company recommended
by AMC.
PLEASE NOTE: The price of the Major Excursion is
given in good faith based on current tariffs and rates
and is subject to change. Any tariff/rate increases will
be passed on to participants.
LIKEWISE: Any funds left over at the end of the trip
once all the accounting has been reported and
accepted by AMC will be divided amongst the
participants and refunded.
Air Costs:
Leaders will explore the best possible options for air
travel. You will receive notification when we are
aware of a good fare. For this trip we estimate a
range of $700 to 900 from the east coast to Montana.
We will assist you in any way to make your
reservations, but you should not make any booking
on your own without consulting the leaders. Once
you purchase air tickets, they are wholly owned by
you. It is your responsibility to get yourself to Glacier
Institute Field Camp if your flight does not arrive in
time to meet the group in Montana.
YOUR LEADERS:
LEADER: Ginette Beaudoin
Ginette has been a member of the AMC since 1988
and has led several day and weekend trips in the
White Mountains of NH, as well as various parts of
Maine. She led AMC Major Excursion to Neustift
Austria in 2011/2012 and to Yosemite in 2012. She co
led an alpine hiking Major Excursion to Neustift,
Austria in July 2009 with 19 participants. She has
participated in numerous AMC Major Excursions to
Yellowstone National Park, Germany, Switzerland and
Austria involving hiking and cross country skiing. She
has hiked in the Stubai Valley of Austria and hiked to
15 high Alpine huts throughout Austria, Germany and
Switzerland. She has hiked the NH 4000 footers and
is working on the NE 4000 footers! Her interests
include hiking, photography, cross country skiing,
snowshoeing, travel, Information volunteer for AMC
and introducing others to outdoor activities.
ADDRESS:
ME 04005
66 Graham Street, Biddeford,
PHONE:
5151
(207)-590-4431, (207)-282-
EMAIL ADDRESS:
ginette4000@yahoo.com
CO-LEADER: Anna Panszczyk
Anna Panszczyk is a Boston Chapter INTRO (AMC)
Leader. Anna leads trips in the White Mountains and
has led an excursion to Ghost Ranch in New Mexico
and to Mt Rainier and Olympic National Parks in
Washington. Most recently Anna has co-lead AMC
Adventure Travel trips to Morocco, Yosemite National
Park, the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota and the
Austrian Alps. She spends part of each summer
backpacking as a Sierra Club participant. This is in
addition to trips that she takes to all corners of the
world. Anna has recently completed SOLO Advanced
Wilderness First Aid course as well as CPR
certification.
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
22 Alfred Rd, Arlington, MA 02474
(781)-648-2492; (617)-429-2175
EMAIL ADDRESS:
annatp13@verizon.net
Experience and Risks:
Hiking with a pack up high mountain passes up to
8,000 feet is physically demanding, especially for
people who generally reside at or near sea level.
Although the elevations for the most part are not
high enough for contracting altitude sickness, the
combination of physical exertion and lower oxygen
levels will require that we pace ourselves and pay
close attention to proper nutrition and hydration.
Glacier National Park is bear country. Every year
there are bear encounters causing injury or even
death to humans. Bears are also at risk as a result of
contact with humans, sometimes having to be
relocated or even killed as a consequence of incidents
which are sometimes provoked by human
carelessness. However, the risks can be greatly
reduced and incidents prevented by learning, as we
will, about techniques for preventing or minimizing
encounters. For instance, we will always hike as a
group and make noise to alert bears we are in the
area. The leaders and Glacier Institute staff will carry
bear (pepper) spray.
People wishing to participate in this trip must have
previous hiking experience at the intermediate level
or higher. Although the hiking will be over
moderately strenuous terrain at a moderate pace,
this is not a trip for beginners or people who have not
hiked during the past year. This trip is not the right
time for getting into shape. You should already be in
good physical condition by the time you arrive in
Kalispell.
When you participate in this activity you should be
both physically and mentally prepared and equipped
with the appropriate gear. You should always be
aware of
the risks
involved
and
conduct
yourself
accordingl
y. We are
not
responsib
le for
your
safety:
you are. Prior to being accepted for this trip, you are
asked to discuss your capabilities with the leader.
Please do not be offended by any questions.
Equipment List
Notes: Below is a list of the required gear for the trip.
Because weather can change quickly in the
mountains, and snow can occur in any month of the
year, you will need to have rain gear, sweater or
fleece, hat and gloves, etc. with you on all hikes.
Please do not plan to hike in jeans. Weather may be
hot during the day but can get cold quickly in the
mountains. We recommend bringing an assortment
of shorts, long pants, short and long sleeve shirts so
you are ready for any temperature.
Required and Essential Gear
• backpack, large enough to carry 2-3 quarts/liters of
water, rain gear, lunch/snacks, hat & gloves, extra
layers, flashlight/headlamp, personal gear, etc. during
hikes
• broken-in hiking boots (preferably water-proof and
over-ankle) Do not pack boots in checked luggage!
• waterproof wind and rain gear (hooded jacket and
pants, no ponchos)
• 2-3 quart/liter water bottles or equivalent
hydration system
• personal first aid kit w/ moleskin, personal meds,
etc. (leader will have large group first aid kit)
• synthetic fleece jacket and/or thick wool sweater
• synthetic or wool warm hat and gloves/mittens
(yes, you need these even in August!)
• shorts/long hiking pants - synthetic
• at least 2-3 pairs of hiking socks with liners
• nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or other synthetic
hiking clothing (see Notes above)
• comfortable clothing for evenings and in town
• a lightweight flashlight or headlamp with extra
batteries
• garbage bags to line pack
• toilet paper (for hikes) and extra zip-lock bags to
pack it out after use
• sleeping bag for Glacier Institute Field Camp
(optional pillowcase, twin top sheet, blanket)
• personal toiletries
• towel
Optional
• Tevas, sandals and/or sneakers
• Pack cover
• hiking poles
• Personal first aid kit
• Water proof matches or lighter
• Whistle, knife, compass
• Binoculars or scope
• Sunscreen, insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Bathing suit
• Field guide, notebook and pencil