While Montana shares many similarities between its respective west coast counterpart, there’s a few key differences to keep in mind.

However, one thing that isn’t different is leave no trace.

Montana has a lot of land, yet no matter how far we travel into it, we still find plastic and aluminum reminders scattered across the landscape. Be a friend and follow the leave no trace mindset.

I am sure I am singing to the choir. However, if you are unsure what you can and cannot leave, I’ve drawn up a small do’s and don’ts list for you. Hopefully you find this helpful.

What you can leave behind:

• Footprints

What you can’t leave behind:

• Your slow friend

• Family members

• Boat anchors

• Food, drink or any item packaging (along with the item itself)

• Human waste

• Toothpicks, bandaids and other hygiene items.

• Literally anything else that isn’t on the “what you can leave behind” list.

Got it? Good.

Now to get into the weeds

Anchoring

Montana is very young into its canyoning history, and with that we get a very special opportunity to make sure these places stay special. Ghosting has been the traditional method of anchoring within Montana’s canyoning scene, but don’t be fooled, that is NOT the preferred ethic.

Use an anchoring method that reduces the most impact to the canyon that you are traveling in. Many of the canyons on this beta site probably don’t have anchors, we know because we are the only people who have done them.

That’s going to change soon, and that change starts with YOU!

Bolting

Ahhhh yes, a discussion that has caused plenty of anger, confusion and red tape. Don't worry, we're pro bolt (kind of) .

Bolts are a very permanent solution to a very permanent problem, and often cause people with commitment issues to become flustered. That’s okay, there are therapists for that.

As for the bolts, please use bolts in according circumstances. There is no fit-all situation in which bolts should be chosen over other anchoring methods. Proper judgement and experience have no substitute. If you are questioning if there should be a bolt placed in a particular canyon, ask yourself a couple questions (and you should always ask yourself this before using ANY anchor, not just bolts):

• Will this increase the safety of travel through the canyon?

• Will this reduce the human impact within the canyon (such as prevent people from trampling ferns, delicate plants and algae)

• Will this reduce the risk of sticking a rope or preventing a successful pull?

• Will this anchor be accessible in all safe rates of flow? Some canyons are runnable at 1 CFS and 15 CFS. How you go about them will be much different.

• Will the anchor be affected/damaged by spring flow?

All of these are important questions that you should ask yourself before placing a bolt. When It comes down to it, safety is everyones #1 concern. If you bolt and do it for only one of the reasons stated above, as long as it's SAFE, its mostly forgivable. You may hear the community complain about your unethical bolting, boohoo. Your life matters more.

That does not mean bolt the living hell out of everything you find. Just bolt when it makes logistical sense.

Slings

While still a common use in the Southern U.S., we are trying to reduce the use of slings when possible. Slings, webbing and quick links are a method that should be used when prompted as the lowest impact. Their ability to become a courteous anchor make them an attractive candidate, and with no shortage of trees are a consistent viable option.

We like slings, but only when they are neutral colors, reduce the impact of travel and do not harm whatever they are slung around. If you sling a tree, please use a dark green or black webbing, and make sure the tree is at least 14 inches in diameter and away from cut embankments.

We love our trees, don’t kill them when there may be alternative options.

A couple things to note:

Webbing needs to be removed long before it degrades and withers into the canyon. This means every spring, if you’re the first person through (or only person through), please cut out webbing and replace it. Yes its a bit expensive, however it will reduce safety concerns and prevent large matted coils of horrid webbing to be found down canyon.

Do not throw webbing on bolts, please if you find a bolt, run a quick link through the bolt hanger. This reduces expenses and prevents unnecessary garbage in the canyon.

V-Threads

Whoa, an ice climbing technique?! Yep, and they are quite useful. However due to their slightly more advanced anchoring technique, and the poor-ish quality rock found in Montana…

We are not going to recommend this as a usual anchoring method. However, like all anchoring methods, it has a time and place.

If you know how to drill v-thread anchors. We believe in you. Please make smart decisions and use this method of anchoring when the rock is stable and in good condition. Lots of canyons in Montana have “bad” rock and can make v-threads and bolting a struggle.

We are not going to go super in-depth with this technique because its similar to bolting. Make good calls, or pay natures consequences ;)