Battling the ‘Breeze’ on Summit Mountain

Winds whipped overhead as frozen feet slipped into ski boots in the cold morning hours at Marias Pass. Adam Clark, Adam Cazell and I eyed our goal of the northwest ridge of Summit Mountain from the Lubec Lake Trailhead, observing the plume of angry snow billowing off its summit. We moved smoothly through the wind-protected aspen forest as we worked toward the saddle of Calf Robe Mountain and Summit Mountain.  As we neared the saddle, gnarled waves of wind and spindrift crashed onto the southeastern ridge.  We crested over the windscoured ridge and began winding our way down the Debris Creek drainage on the northern side of Summit. As we neared the peak we felt uncertainty and doubt creeping in as we watched thrashing winds howl across the ridgeline, piercing the sky above us. 

Nearly reaching the base of Summit’s craggy ridge, we transitioned from backcountry skis to crampons and boots to cross the scoured plateau of sedimentary Glacier rock. 

Mounting Summit’s jagged backbone we began bundling up to combat the hurricane-force winds awaiting us above.  Weaving up the broken ridgecrest we scrambled through sections of tiered rock and steep snow to reach a small alcove where we sat and assessed our decision to move forward. 

Though the winds howled above we felt confident that we could safely move forward without accepting too much risk, so we continued.  The sun beamed overhead as we made our way to the summit ridge where rhimed rock and a lonesome summit cairn awaited.  We embraced and began taking in the dramatic views of the Ole Creek drainage, Two Medicine, and the jagged peaks of the Coal Creek area.  

Saying goodbye to the top of Summit we retraced our steps downward to reach the base of the ridge.  

Without incident we found ourselves once again at the foot of the great peak, thankful to have not been blown off its exposed flank. 

Though the winds seemed to calm since morning, they still threatened to blow us off the saddle separating the two great mountains between us and the car. The skis protruding from our packs formed sails that blew us side to side, threatening to blow us back down the drainage.  Once out of the wind and back to the treed glade below we ripped skins off our skis and began the ski back to the trailhead.  

The skiing had its moments of perfect powder along with plenty of wind-affected and variable snow.  Slashing down the slopes with Calf Robe’s jagged ridge in our peripheral made for a scenic ski back to the trail below.  

We reached the truck with smiles on our faces and an appreciation for the group’s persistence to push through and reach the top of Summit Mountain. 

Thankful to have made it safely back from another day in the mountains we clinked celebratory drinks and headed for home.

    Adam Cazell pushes higher into the wind en route to the top of Summit Mountain in Glacier National Park. Seth Anderson Photo.
 SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY   

    Adam Clark and Adam Cazell traverse a shale field while en route to Summit Mountain. Seth Anderson Photo.
 SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY   

    Adam Cazell and Adam Clark atop Summit Mountain in Glacier National Park. Seth Anderson Photo.
 SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY