Signal me up!
The Higher Missouri River Breaks Nationwide Monument is a really particular a part of northcentral Montana that lies alongside a 149-mile stretch of the river between Fort Benton and Robinson Bridge. I’ve paddled from monument mile #41.5 at Coal Banks to mile #149 at Robinson Bridge throughout numerous multi-day canoe or kayak journeys. My favourite stretch by far is the White Cliffs portion (between miles 41.5 – 88.5), which makes for a unbelievable three-day journey (see earlier weblog put up). Naturally, I’ve been curious concerning the first 41.5 miles of the monument, so after I noticed that the Associates of the Missouri Breaks Monument was internet hosting a canoe/kayak race from Ft. Benton (mile #0) to Wooden Backside (mile #20.3) I used to be wanting to take part.
Associates for 20 years.
The Associates of the Missouri Breaks Monument is non-profit (est. 2001) that works to protect and assist this Montana treasure. They placed on the race to boost cash, generate curiosity within the monument, and rejoice their twentieth 12 months as a corporation. Regardless of the acute warmth, haze from distant wildfires, and low move, we members loved a beautiful day on the river. Thanks goes out to Mikayla Moss (govt director), Nora Harper (intern), and the numerous volunteers for placing on such a singular and enjoyable occasion. By the way, Nora was pupil in my freshman Earth Science class at Helena Excessive a number of years in the past – It was nice to see her doing such good work. (picture tour)
Darkish-thirty Saturday morning.
My spouse (Mardi) and I left Helena at 5:30 am and made the 140-mile drive to the Fort Benton Canoe Launch, which served on the staging space. There, members have been organized into 5 waves (teams). Beginning at 10 am, waves of 5-6 boats (some tandem, principally solos), have been despatched off each couple of minutes and instructed to remain collectively for the primary mile to the strolling bridge in Fort Benton. Then as every wave handed beneath the bridge, their race time began. Prizes have been awarded to the highest three finishers in each the pairs and solo classes. The winners in each classes completed the 20-mile race beneath 2:25 – I got here in at 3:09.
Rely it as a date?
After getting me squared away, Mardi went out for breakfast, watched my group go beneath the bridge, after which drove to the end space close to Loma the place she sat within the shade and skim. After ending the race, I loved a pair free beers, took a swim, and snapped some images earlier than we headed again to Ft. Benton to satisfy associates and benefit from the festivities – reside music, meals distributors, extra beer. A superb time was had by all!
Beneath: This map marks hikes which have been featured on bigskywalker.com to date, together with a number of in Glacier Park – Choose full display screen to increase, zoom in for extra element, or click on on a marker for a hyperlink to the put up.
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