Welcome to Robert Bolton's Pictures / Kintla Peak

Welcome to Robert Bolton's Pictures

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Welcome to Robert Bolton's Pictures

The three highest mountains in Glacier National Park are also the three most topographically prominent, and all three are in the list of 100 most prominent peaks in the Lower 48. As such they are all on the list that I hope to complete by 2011. The three peaks are Mt. Cleveland, Mt. Stimson, and Kintla Peak.

My cohorts were, from left to right: Edward Earl, Duane Gilliland, Grant Myers, and John Stolk. This was taken soon after we all met at Apgar where we would work out our backcountry camping permits.

My cohorts were

After nailing down our permits we headed for the Kintla Lake trailhead. On the way we were treated to a view of this white giant in the park interior. Upon investigation we quickly determined that this was our 2007 nemesis and 2008 triumph Mt. Cleveland. We had friends getting ready to climb Cleveland, and were afraid the snow might discourage them. However, by the time they climbed, the weather had warmed and they were all able to summit successfully.

After nailing d

Duane during our first day's hike -- 11.6 miles to the Upper Kintla Lake campsite.

Duane during ou

While hiking along the seemingly interminable Kintla Lake, we finally got far enough up the lake to start seeing our target territory as Kinnerly Peak (Kintla's close neighbor to the north) came into view.

While hiking al

On the trail between Kintla Lake and Upper Kintla Lake, both Kinnerly (left) and Kintla Peaks were in full display.

On the trail be

Kintla Peak has remained mysterious due to a lack of helpful photos such as this one. This photo shows snow in the gully we would use to achieve the summit ridge three days later. The snow was gone by then, thankfully.

Kintla Peak has

After the hot hike between the lakes, John couldn't get into the waters of Upper Kintla Lake quick enough.

After the hot h

Approaching the head of Upper Kintla Lake and our campsite for the night, we were treated to views of the next day's route and the peak we intended to climb that day -- the flatish topped peak to the right called Boulder Peak.

Approaching the

A closeup of Boulder Peak. But which peak is higher?

A closeup of Bo

At the food preparation area with the other party sharing the Upper Kintla site with us on August 15, 2010.

At the food pre

Upper Kintla Lake and Kinnerly Peak from our campsite.

Upper Kintla La

Looking down Upper Kintla Lake as the sun sets behind the ridge.

Looking down Up

We didn't realize it at the time, but this photo shows part of the route toward Agassiz Basin that we would hike two days hence.

We didn't reali

The low-sun colors lit up the mottled reflection.

The low-sun col

Evening reflection.

Evening reflect

Kinnerly Peak alpenglo.

Kinnerly Peak a

On August 16 we headed up the trail toward Boulder Pass and our second night's camp. This is Upper Kintla Lake from the trail.

On August 16 we

The higher we hiked, the better were the views. Here Kintla Peak is peeking out from behind Kinnerly, our first view of the east side of Kintla with which we would become so familiar over the next three days.

The higher we h

This is an early glimpse into the remote Agassiz Basin where we would spend two nights.

This is an earl

A better view up into Agassiz Basin. Our summit route was to attain the saddle left of center, then ascend the skyline ridge to the right. The eventual objective is not seen in this photo.

A better view u

Edward admires the view of Kintla and Kinnerly Peaks and Agassiz Basin.

Agassiz Basin, Kintla Peak, and Kinnerly Peak.

Part of our route into Agassiz Basin is visible in this photo. The open ramps just left of center lead to the steep gully that would take us down into the basin from above. This route avoids the dense brush that would make any other route a bushwhacking nightmare.

Part of our rou

Kintla and Kinnerly Peaks.

Kintla and Kinn

Kintla and Kinnerly Peaks.

Kintla and Kinn

This view shows most of the summit route as it follows the skyline from the saddle to just left of the summit block of Kintla. Actually, there's a nice ramp that cuts off the shoulder in the center of the photo.

This view shows

That afternoon after setting up camp at Boulder Pass, we headed for Boulder Peak. Here we did our imitation of beach sunbathing.

The views from Boulder Peak were spectacular. That is Mt. Custer left of center. The trail from Boulder Pass to Waterton Lake traverses the photo.

On August 17, 2008 I took a photo from the summit of this mountain, the mighty Mt. Cleveland, looking back toward where I was now standing on August 16, 2010.

On August 17, 2

Some of the scenery from Boulder Peak.

Some of the sce

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

The awesome north face of Mt. Cleveland from Boulder Peak.

The awesome nor

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Kintla and Kinnerly Peaks from Boulder Peak.

Kintla and Kinn

Pocket Lake with several peaks in the background, including Reuters, Kintla, and Kinnerly,.

Pocket Lake wit

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Boulder Peak scenery.

Boulder Peak sc

Alpenglo on the peaks near our Boulder Pass camp.

Alpenglo on the

From the route approaching Agassiz Basin we got our first good views of the area we would be spending the next two nights. What a spectacular place it was.

Upon arriving at camp, and realizing that we would be camping on solid rock, Edward realized the folly of carrying tent stakes to this remote place.

Upon arriving a

Here's the setting of our camp in Agassiz Basin. We mostly agreed that this may be the best campsite we had ever experienced. The rush of falling water all around made for the most beautiful "white noise" imagineable.

Here's the sett

Our camp in context of Kintla and Kinnerly Peaks.

Our camp in con

Note the proximity of our camp to the Aggasiz Glacier.

Note the proxim

Some of the myriad waterfalls surrounding our campsite.

Some of the myr

Still quite a bit of ice in the Agassiz Glacier.

Still quite a b

Duane, Edward, and Grant exploring around camp with more of the waterfalls behind.

The waterfalls came from snow and ice melt above.

Our kitchen area. Note the perfect height of the food preparation surfaces.

Our kitchen are

The dining area likewise had perfect seating.

The dining area

During the lazy hours of Tuesday afternoon (August 17), I couldn't help noticing that the clouds caused interesting lighting combinations in this view. Here the background slope alone is illuminated.

During the lazy

Here only the left-hand slope is illuminated while the other two slopes are dark.

Here only the l

Here the only dark slope is on the left while the other two are illuminated.

Here the only d

Here the left and background slopes are illuminated while the right-hand slope is dark.

Here the left a

Looking up at our route while non-threatening cloud buildups added to the beauty of our surroundings.

Looking up at o

My compatriots in the dining room.

The sunset colors were beautiful.

The sunset colo

Sunset in Agassiz Basin.

Sunset in Agass

Sunset in Agassiz Basin.

Sunset in Agass

Sunset in Agassiz Basin.

Sunset in Agass

On Wednesday morning August 18 we started early for the summit of Kintla Peak. Here we're starting up the SE ridge after first achieving the saddle.

On Wednesday mo

At the top of the SE ridge we met the south ridge and headed for the summit.

At the top of t

The south ridge of Kintla Peak. Below the cliffs we angled left on the loose ledge system and worked our way north until we found the large gully that leads to the summit ridge near the top.

The south ridge

Edward, Grant, and John await Duane and me on the summit of Kintla.

I placed my camera on a rock, added shims to level it, and put it on self timer for this summit victory shot. Lower 48 P4K "contenders" all: <A HREF=http://peakpics.shutterfly.com/ TARGET=_blank>Grant Myers</A>, Duane Gilliland, John Stolk, Edward Earl, and yours truly.

I placed my cam

We had carried harnesses, carabiners, and a 30-meter rope just in case. None were needed, but it was better to carry and not need than to need and not carry.

Kintla Peak summit views.

Kintla Peak sum

Kintla Peak summit views: Kinnerly Peak.

Kintla Peak sum

Selfie on the summit of Kintla.

Selfie on the s

Grant on the summit of Kintla.

Grant on the su

Once back in camp we decided not to stress ourselves by moving down to a lower camp. Besides we were so enjoying this place, and the weather looked like it would hold for at least another day. So the long afternoon was spent relaxing.

Once back in ca

This is the view from camp of the only difficult section of the route into Agassiz Basin. The darker rock in the center marks the loose gully. At the top of the gully you can see the top of the ramp route leading back to the trail. Several of us used the rib just left of the dark rock instead of the gully. Bear in mind that this portion of the trip was done with full overnight packs.

This is the vie

Scenery from our camp.

Scenery from ou

On Thursday morning August 19 we were treated to this sunrise view of Kinnerly Peak.

On Thursday mor

Thursday's hike covered about 15 miles from the upper Agassiz Basin all the way down to the east end of Kintla Lake where we had secured a permit for that night. This is Kinnerly Peak alpenglo on our last night out. Friday's 6+ mile hike would be over with by 9:30 AM. What a great trip, with perfect weather, a great team, and a successful summit of Kintla Peak.

Thursday's hike