Hold on there tiger…
Glacier is a beast of its own.
Similar to the rest of Montana, one will find canyons with no anchors, high water flow, and amazing sights, however there are some CRITICAL differences that YOU need to know.
The first being…
NO ANCHORS!
Thats right. Unlike many other national parks, Glacier National Park has a strict no anchor policy. That means NO BOLTS, WEBBING, SLINGS or anything left behind in any manner.
We aren’t saying that because we want people to ghost, we are saying that because you legally CANNOT do these things. In doing so, one may face significant fines or even jail time. So don’t do it. If for some reason you decide to violate this policy, not only do you risk legal trouble, but you also force the park into a position that may require radical management practices. Glacier is not prepared for canyoning yet. In fact, as far as we know, only two canyons have ever been descended. It is not in their management plan. If you cause problems with the park, it is WAY easier for them to just ban the sport entirely rather than produce a resource swallowing plan. Don’t ruin it for everyone else, we want to play ball. To do that, we have to do so in a respective manner. That means more than likely this place isn’t quite a place for most people to canyon, that even includes the person writing this. Significant planning, time and resources are needed to even do one of these canyons, if you have questions or want to descend one. Email us. We would love to help :)
This also makes these canyons extremely difficult. Having no anchors in high flow canyons brings a risk that cannot be mitigated in timely manners. Canyons that would take a half day may take multiple days. With that, this brings us to the next point…
Commitment.
Oh yeah, the commitment of these canyons is more than what you usually play in. The pay to play is high here. The reduction of no anchors, significant slots and high-water flow makes these canyons more demanding than your first relationship. They are fast, cold, dark and filled with complex hydraulic systems. The rock bed in glacier national park varies widely, and so do the characteristics of these canyons. At one point you may be enjoying a stroll through a slow creek bed, followed by small waterfalls filled with bottomless pools, and then finally it disappears into a black void with only impenetrable mist giving you any idea of the beautiful horrors that lie below. Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but you understand that I cannot reasonably suggest that you should jump into one of these canyons. Especially without a strong crew and a local.
To be fair, there are some canyons here that are not as committing, however they are still very wild. So, I still can’t suggest them.
Wait… there’s beta on Glacier now?!
Yes! Well, actually kind of…
I have included Rose Creek “beta”.
