The 2 Montana Mountains You Should Never Underestimate

Montana can be a dangerous place. 

Environmental Dangers: Wildlife and Weather

We have dangerous highways and roads, unpredictable weather, and plenty of wildlife that can pose a threat, including grizzly bears and rattlesnakes. 

But if you're heading into Montana's backcountry, there's another danger you need to think about: The terrain itself. 

Some of Montana's mountains are incredibly challenging, with steep cliffs, loose rock, snowfields, rapidly changing weather, and difficult-to-navigate routes. Unfortunately, some of those mountains have also been the scene of tragic accidents. 

Two Montana peaks with particularly challenging terrain and tragic histories are Granite Peak and Mount Cleveland. 

Granite Peak: Stories of Survival and Tragedy

Granite Peak 

Granite Peak is Montana's highest mountain, reaching roughly 12,800 feet in the Beartooth Range. 

Granite Peak has been in the national news twice this summer, for two very different reasons. 

Heroic Decisions: A Hiker's Gripping Experience

Earlier this summer, a hiker made headlines after he was impaled by a trekking pole while climbing the mountain. The man, a nurse, was able to assess his injury and, rather than wait for a helicopter rescue, made the incredibly difficult decision to hike out with the trekking pole still lodged in his torso. 

He and his companions made their way roughly 10 miles through difficult terrain before reaching the trailhead. He eventually made it to a hospital, where surgeons removed the pole.  

READ MORE: Montana Hiker Impaled by Trekking Pole on Granite Peak

Then there was a much more tragic story. 

According to Outside, a 21-year-old hiker from Bozeman died after falling approximately 800 feet from Granite Peak on August 24. His body was recovered three days later after a multi-agency search.  

Granite Peak isn't simply a difficult hike. The route is highly technical, exposed, and entirely above treeline. Officials describe the mountain as having large boulders, steep rocky terrain, and potentially dangerous weather, including high winds and passing storms.  

In fact, Outside describes Granite Peak as one of the most dangerous and technical peaks in the Lower 48.

Mount Cleveland: A Historical Tragedy

Then there's Mount Cleveland in Glacier National Park. 

At 10,466 feet, Mount Cleveland is the highest mountain in Glacier National Park. It also has one of the most tragic stories in Montana mountaineering history. 

In 1969, five young Montana climbers disappeared while attempting to climb Mount Cleveland. 

They were caught in a New Year's avalanche and buried under an enormous amount of snow. 

READ MORE: 3 Montana Wilderness Safety Tips From ‘Mountain Men’ Stars Tom Oar and Paul Antczak

Their disappearance sparked a mystery that wasn't solved for months, and the tragedy became one of the most notable mountain-climbing disasters in the United States at the time. 

It's a sobering reminder that the dangers of Montana's mountains aren't limited to bears, rattlesnakes, or other wildlife. 

The mountain itself can be the danger. 

Weather can change quickly. Conditions can deteriorate. Routes can become difficult to navigate, and a mistake on steep or exposed terrain can have devastating consequences. 

Preparation is Key: Tips for Successfully Climbing Montana's Peaks

So if you're planning to climb one of Montana's higher and more challenging peaks, make sure you know what you're getting into. 

READ MORE: Here’s Why Montana Hikers Should Reconsider This Simple Practice

Check the weather and conditions. Understand the route. Have the proper equipment. Make sure your skills match the mountain you're attempting. 

Because in Montana, sometimes the biggest danger isn't the bear or the rattlesnake. 

It's the mountain itself.