About 'Backpacker' Girls

"Who in the world are those good lookin' young wimmin across our table?" That's what I was wondering while sitting down at the West Glacier Cafe last Thursday morning. The Over the Hill Gang was gathering for weekly adventures and it is not unusual for strange faces to appear. Get query calls and letters from across the nation. Two weeks ago we had five lawyers from Baltimore who had phoned me, seeking info for a hike with "The Gang;" however, these two ladies appeared from right out of the blue.

Asked them, "What brought you here?" The "slightly" older one laid out the April, 2007 issue of Backpacker Magazine, pointed to a full-page photo of a triumphant male person standing on top of The Little Matterhorn, "That's you, right?" Answered, "Yes." She pointed to the facing page featuring a story, "Old Men on the Mountain." The first paragraph states the Over the Hill Gang "…meets on Thursday, 7:30 a.m. at the West Glacier Cafe." The lady said, "That's how we got here."

They'd read the article last year and began planning a trip to Glacier. The lady introduced herself as Yolanda and companion Julia. Didn't mention last names or relationship. Said they were from Owasso, Okla., and had biked from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake Overlook yesterday where they had been almost blown off the mountain, snowed on and dang near froze. Told them we'd find someone to lead them on a beautiful day among the peaks.

Was very curious (nosy) if they were sisters, mother-daughter, or what? Didn't have the nerve to ask. The ladies were sitting next to a greyhead from Somers, and Roger (Benson) decided he was willing to sacrifice a day with the regulars to help two ladies far from home. Told me he'd take them to Preston Park, then maybe up to Piegan Pass. Another local senior, Jack, generously volunteered to help. Everyone ate, then scattered.

Ostrom went to Many Glacier and got bogged down at Fisher Cap Lake trying to photograph a mother moose and calf. Got a coyote, then ran into Ron Vivit at Swiftcurrent Trailhead. He said a coupe of grizzlies were on Apikuni Flat half an hour ago. Drove there. Ranger Cara Benson was managing a bear-jam which was breaking up because "the griz had gone into the woods." Drove east to Apikuni Trailhead, disappointed. Intuition took me back to the flats. Had a rare hour shooting two magnificent young grizzlies gorging on berries to within 30 yards of the road. Used four rolls of film.

Returning over Sun Highway, saw Roger, Jack and "the girls" sitting on the rock wall at Sunrift Gorge. They'd gone to Preston Park then decided to go for the awesome climb over Siyeh Pass. Loaded them in my car and back up to theirs at Siyeh Bend. Yolanda and Julia were in seventh heaven. The long drive from Oklahoma was worth it.

That night I called Elmer Searle, the oldest gang member, for Roger's number to see if he found out the ladies' relationship. Elmer said, "George, I goofed at breakfast, asked if they were sisters. Yolanda is Julia's mother. Yolanda is a school teacher and Julia goes to Oklahoma State." Assured he made Yolanda feel flattered and Julia feel proud.

Life is good.

G. George Ostrom is a Kalispell resident and Hungry Horse News columnist.