Montana’s portion of the Continental Divide compared to the other states is large. In all, it takes in approximately 990 miles while sharing 330 miles with Idaho. Recreational sports enthusiasts, thus far only snowmobilers, use sections of the Great Divide throughout the winter in Henrys Lake and Centennial Mountains. However, to the best of my knowledge and Google, no one has accomplished the task of traveling the entire distance from Yellowstone National Park to the Canadian border on the northern edge of Glacier National Park. Nor does it appear that I will be the one to change that statement. However, as of the autumn of 2022, I continue with the route. That is, once the cold arrives.
I began travel on the tri-border of Montana and Wyoming and Idaho February 1, 2014. Now several years and numerous incidents later, I am at the lower end of the Bitterroot Range near the Big Hole Valley. From Berry Creek, will travel approximately 60 to Chief Joseph Pass. Beyond the pass is 85 miles of the Anaconda Range, which includes the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness.
During the preceding winters since 2014, the only people I have seen were snowmobilers, and that ceased at Monida Pass.
Referring back to the “incidents” I mentioned in a previous paragraph, without going into much detail, carbon monoxide poisoning in 2014, blood clot in the left leg in 2015, in 2016 a lost tent and a nearly lost life on a peak in the Centennial Mountains. Combine these incidents with the extreme conditions of high altitude snowpack and an aging body, and that would be a fair summary of the last six winters. Since 2017, I have pulled a pulk, a cargo sled, for which a grateful back continues to bless me with painless travel.
In 2020, for the first time, I ,started to include my body weight, snowshoes and all of my worn clothes as part of the total weight. As a result, I am traveling along the route with a large backpack, pulk with a total weight of approximately 300 pounds. Except for the 12 pounds of camera gear, the rest of my gear is essential.
I declared 2020 as my last year on the Divide. Yeah, I changed my mind and continued without updating this website. Therefore, this winter, now 2022-2023, along the Continental Divide, I have no idea how long I will travel through the winter. In short, I’ll do what I can when I can. There will be no more pre-winter declarations.
