Avalanche Fire - retrospect

Breaking local story over Labor Day weekend was a lightning hold-over fire erupting high above Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. It was reported burning on the northeast side of Mount Brown “in rugged terrain.” A thing catching my interest was fact eight smokejumpers were called to fight it.

My immediate thought was, “Where in hell could a sane person find a parachute landing spot up there?” Tried calling Smokejumper Center in Missoula, but “no one was available.” Finally called Park Headquarters to see if someone knew anything. “No one was available,” but a receptionist said, “The smokejumpers walked up there.”

More detailed information was at last gained through second-hand scuttlebutt form Over The Hill Gang member Ron Beard, via a West Glacier Golf Course bull session. Ron heard the jumpers leaped out on beach of upper Lake McDonald, then were transported to Avalanche Campground by van. Never found out if their equipment was dropped from plane near the fire or if they had to pack it up. That last option would not be normal procedure?

From hiking experience on east and northeast sides of Mount Brown, I decided those jumpers did not “walk” up there, they “clawed up there.” Probably cursing every foot of the way. My one adventure with the Over The Hill Gang in that area is among the top 10 “worst hikes” in our long history. I’m not sure which of my friends got the wild idea of climbing Mount Brown from Avalanche Lake, but it certainly wasn’t me.

Our first few miles from Avalanche Campground were on a regular trail to the lake and then a game trail around the west side. The first thousand feet scrambling through the cliffs below the Little Matterhorn were very spectacular and presented fantastic waterfalls never seen before, and there were flowers, crystal ponds and birds singing.

Swinging away from the ominous cliffs of the Matterhorn base, we made our way north around the side of Brown below timberline before splitting into two groups. After a half mile of cliffs, rocks, downfalls and clawing brush, my frustrated groups began working our way back where we came from.

The other group, including Ivan O’Neil, Walt Bahr, Bob Dundas and two lady mountaineers, Bobby and Sandy, were gone from our sight and hearing. This was before we had radios. Slightly beat up and frazzled, our “candy fanny” group eventually fought its way down to the lake and out to the cars at Avalanche Campground to await the fate of our daring companions.

After several hours, we were beginning to get worried when a whoop announced their return. Walt and Ivan didn’t appear real bad for wear, but not in the best condition either. We couldn’t believe the ladies. They were wearing shorts which still appeared laundry fresh and clean. Their arms and legs were not scratched and bleeding, with hair only slightly mussed.

Last came Dundas, a ripped and bloody mess, with torn clothes, skin abrasions and a mangled pack. He said it was the worst day he’d had since his fighter pilot days in Vietnam. After first-aid treatments and a cool refreshment, we got Walt’s terse report, “We didn’t get to the top of Mount Brown.”

That adventure is why I had those initial doubts about smokejumpers going to the fire by parachute; however, I have since decided it might have worked . . . if all those jumpers were females.

G. George Ostrom is a national award-winning Hungry Horse News columnist. He lives in Kalispell.