FPMC Classics List
What Is a Classic?
Shockingly, we have a lot of opinions about mountains. This list is our attempt to whittle down the 15,000 square miles of Northwest Montana into the best of the best.
Classics must…
Already have noteriety, history, and status within the community.
Be the most worthy adventures in their respective category and geographic area.
Pose a significant challenge.
Not substantially overlap in terrain or style with other classics.
Be doable in a single-day push. This doesn’t mean most athletes will be able to complete them in a day, but it has to be possible.
Stand as testpieces for mountain athletes to test their skills, fitness, and resolve. They either have an active FKT or new routing culture, or could easily have such culture.
A Classics List is controversial because there’s already a classics list in everyone’s head, whether they know it or not.
The lack of consensus and objectivity, the endless prognostication and arguments, the stories it brings up… that is mountain culture at it’s best.
So feel free to disagree. But when you do, tell us about your list.
On Feet
| Route | Location | Distance (mi) | Elevation Gain (ft) | Class | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ptarmigan Wall → North Swiftcurrent Glacier Basin |
Many Glacier, GNP |
3(4) |
"The greatest twelve miles on the North American Continent." -J Gordon Edwards |
||
| Heavens-Stanton Traverse | Lake McDonald, GNP | 17 | 12,000 | 3(4) | An iconic range is unlocked through improbable passages, knife-edge ridges, and beautiful geology. |
| Floral Park |
Logan Pass, GNP | 18 | 3,900 | 2(3) | In between beaten paths lies an alien landscape that demands geologic and environmental contemplation. |
| Northeast Ridge, Mount Saint Nicholas | Middle Fork, GNP | ~36 | 5.8+ | The climber's crux is the Middle Fork bushwhack. The Glacier Peakbagger's crux is the technical climbing. Everyone's crux is the audacity to walk towards the most dramatic mountain in Glacier. | |
| Dawson-Pit | Two Med, GNP | 17 | 3,800 | 1 | The best a trail loop can be. Fast, flowy, and fun, with big climbs and big views. |
| Mount Cleveland |
Belly River, GNP | 45 | 10,000 |
3 | Superlatives abound. Tallest mountain in Glacier, biggest cliff in the lower 48, best place to find oneself. |