Michael Richmond

Michael Richmond

@beartoothskier.bsky.social

Wilderness/outdoor and science oriented living in and documenting the changes we are seeing with environmental/climate collapse in the GYE. Live in Red Lodge, MT since 2020 with my two helpers Sundance (the big one) and Otter (the littler one).

261 followers141 following712 posts

Been few weeks ran Palisades Trail Beartooth Front near our place. Fall color mostly gone, shaded now, all day some spots so ❄️ from last Fri. still and icy. No moose, probably a good thing. Mild 8C on 11K run 1800m-2030m and back. Cooler pattern now. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

Been few weeks ran Palisades Trail Beartooth Front near our place. Fall color mostly gone, shaded now, all day some spots so ❄️ from last Fri. still and icy. No moose, probably a good thing. Mild 8C on 11K run 1800m-2030m and back. Cooler pattern now. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

First Beartooth Hwy run since winter closure. All good, no big rock-falls yet 👍🏽. Ran 1st switchback 2300m-2500m then back, quick 10K. Sundance and I both little tired from yest., but worth it. Windy in Rock Crk. Canyon, gale force W winds on return. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

First Beartooth Hwy run since winter closure. All good, no big rock-falls yet 👍🏽. Ran 1st switchback 2300m-2500m then back, quick 10K. Sundance and I both little tired from yest., but worth it. Windy in Rock Crk. Canyon, gale force W winds on return. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

Latest ever done our signature 34km hike from 2200m in Lakefork Cyn, up to 3365m Sundance's Pass then back. Beneath which little ice patch almost gone. Friends Jon and his Bagels/Pancakes Corgi mixes came with. More ❄️ here tomorrow, last easy day. #climate #hiking #montana #dogs #gye #mountains

Latest ever done our signature 34km hike from 2200m in Lakefork Cyn, up to 3365m Sundance's Pass then back. Beneath which little ice patch almost gone. Friends Jon and his Bagels/Pancakes Corgi mixes came with. More ❄️ here tomorrow, last easy day. #climate #hiking #montana #dogs #gye #mountains

Since we were last at Palisades rock garden, limestone slabs N of ski area, much drier. Still bits ❄️ from 11th in shade. Weird rough slabs on Beartooth Front 2300m, require ascent from ski area base 2270 to 2530m, then back down. 3rd warm/dry fall now. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

Since we were last at Palisades rock garden, limestone slabs N of ski area, much drier. Still bits ❄️ from 11th in shade. Weird rough slabs on Beartooth Front 2300m, require ascent from ski area base 2270 to 2530m, then back down. 3rd warm/dry fall now. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

Nichols Crk. trail along Beartooth Front from ski area base 2270m down to 2100m then back made for easy day. Winds along steep slopes in heavy timber mostly, only brief views looking E-SE. Cold shaded slopes, still ❄️. Going stay dry another 4-5 days. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains #gye

PCT to FTDP/back. Phantom Crk. Trail from E Rosebud canyon 1930m start. 13km up to 3150m on Froze to Death Plateau, then back. Up top 10-15cm hard wind-packed ❄️. -3C w stiff NE breeze. Felt bad our Ursine friends, no Whitebark Pine cones, prime food source. #climate #hiking #montana #dogs #mountains

PCT to FTDP/back. Phantom Crk. Trail from E Rosebud canyon 1930m start. 13km up to 3150m on Froze to Death Plateau, then back. Up top 10-15cm hard wind-packed ❄️. -3C w stiff NE breeze. Felt bad our Ursine friends, no Whitebark Pine cones, prime food source. #climate #hiking #montana #dogs #mountains

W-fork Canyon survey today from trailhead 2400m. Very deep and shaded, narrow at times w 3600-3824m terrain S-wall. Could only make it 8K to 2600m, too cold. Dressed for the sunny areas 0-1C, not -6C. 15cm ❄️ at 2600m. One of our Ursine friends still up 👍🏽. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

W-fork Canyon survey today from trailhead 2400m. Very deep and shaded, narrow at times w 3600-3824m terrain S-wall. Could only make it 8K to 2600m, too cold. Dressed for the sunny areas 0-1C, not -6C. 15cm ❄️ at 2600m. One of our Ursine friends still up 👍🏽. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

First real wintery system Beartooth Front sat. evening thru today. Late for high country but not below 2000m. 8cm ❄️ in town -3C this morn. 20-25mm moisture likely 👍🏽. Not quite as much in Lakefork Canyon our 2200-2400m run, warmed to 1C less snow. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

First real wintery system Beartooth Front sat. evening thru today. Late for high country but not below 2000m. 8cm ❄️ in town -3C this morn. 20-25mm moisture likely 👍🏽. Not quite as much in Lakefork Canyon our 2200-2400m run, warmed to 1C less snow. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

Last summer day, 28C dry 10% RH. No wetting 💦 (3mm or more) Red Lodge since 9/19. Dry this month, very warm. VH fire potential Beartooth Front. Fall color has disappeared early not because of cold but blights and dryness as seen our Palisades run. #climate #running #dogs #montana #mountains #gye

Last summer day, 28C dry 10% RH. No wetting 💦 (3mm or more) Red Lodge since 9/19. Dry this month, very warm. VH fire potential Beartooth Front. Fall color has disappeared early not because of cold but blights and dryness as seen our Palisades run. #climate #running #dogs #montana #mountains #gye

Last sublime Lakes District hike of season today, US-212 closing tmrw. 2960m Island Lk., got to 3050m Albino Lake. Then pass behind to 3250m, expansive views of District. Moist SW-W side of Beartooth Plateau, gets much more ❄️ than E of the crest. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #wyoming #mountains

Last sublime Lakes District hike of season today, US-212 closing tmrw. 2960m Island Lk., got to 3050m Albino Lake. Then pass behind to 3250m, expansive views of District. Moist SW-W side of Beartooth Plateau, gets much more ❄️ than E of the crest. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #wyoming #mountains

Likely last chance Beartooth Plateau melting ice patch survey. US-212 closes Tue., but ❄️ late Sun/Mon. Both thousands of years old ice patches we visited seem a little further out than last year, but thinner. Tundra freeze-dried, is crunchy. #climate #hiking #dogs #wyoming #montana #mountains #gye

Likely last chance Beartooth Plateau melting ice patch survey. US-212 closes Tue., but ❄️ late Sun/Mon. Both thousands of years old ice patches we visited seem a little further out than last year, but thinner. Tundra freeze-dried, crunchy. #climate #hiking #dogs #wyoming #montana #mountains #gye

Warm/dry Central MT today 28C Red Lodge 31C Billlings. New daily record highs. RHs 8-14% all over w strong upper ridging. Short run along Rock Crk. in the canyon 2200-2300m in 25C warmth, drying out fast in here. If it were windy 🔥 would spread quickly. #climate #running #dogs #montana #mountains

Otter came from Aapsolooke Nation to our E. Abandoned w her Ma/3 siblings. Pack of 5 wild for months trying to survive. Someone rounded them up, got them to Billings shelter. Found her 10/2022 1 yr. old starved/underweight. Today she is 5 and so strong/brave. #skiing #hiking #dogs #climate #montana

12 more days Beartooth Hwy is open. 3100m ice patch survey Line Crk. trail area shows it mostly melted out again this year. Last year first time thousands of years 😒. Striking difference from 2023. 16K hike 3200-2950m all round Line Crk. Plateau area. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

12 more days Beartooth Hwy is open. 3100m ice patch survey Line Crk. trail area shows it mostly melted out again this year. Last year first time thousands of years 😒. Striking difference from 2023. 16K hike 3200-2950m all round Line Crk. Plateau area. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #gye #mountains

Sublime NE GYE Lakes District technically starts W side of 3500-3750m ridge behind Glacier Lakes chain. These 2955m lakes just 6km up steep rocky trail head of Rock Crk. Canyon 2640m. Should include them, which is why flooded w tourists mid June-mid Sept. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Sublime NE GYE Lakes District technically starts W side of 3500-3750m ridge behind Glacier Lakes chain. These 2955m lakes just 6km up steep rocky trail head of Rock Crk. Canyon 2640m. Should include them, which is why flooded w tourists mid June-mid Sept. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Fall is here generally speaking, but it is obviously in degraded form due to climate chaos. Deep shaded Lakefork Canyon fall colors muted 2nd year in a row. Many Aspen got a blight all around this region, already bare. Our friend Wallace came with 👍🏽. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains #gye

Warm summery day 25C in Rock Crk. Cyn 2000-2200m. SW flow ahead of weak system, dry too. Fall colors advancing, faster than last year. Short hike up Beartrack Trail toward Silver Run Plateau, diverted to secret falls 2050m just 200m off main trail, hidden. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Warm summery day 25C in Rock Crk. Cyn 2000-2200m. SW flow ahead of weak system, dry too. Fall colors advancing, faster than last year. Short hike up Beartrack Trail toward Silver Run Plateau, diverted to secret falls 2050m just 200m off main trail, hidden. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Our friend Jon, wanted find easier way up to 2975m Phantom Lake, off side trail from main trail across steep rocky slippery slopes, scree, and boulders. Of 25K hike from 1925m E Rosebud Lake start, 6K that. Didn't quite make the lake. Dry and warming fast. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Our friend Jon, wanted find easier way up to 2975m Phantom Lake, off side trail from main trail across steep rocky slippery slopes, scree, and boulders. Of 25K hike from 1925m E Rosebud Lake start, 6K that. Didn't quite make the lake. Dry and warming fast. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Not quite sublime Lakes District west of Beartooth Pass, but Gardner/Losekamp Lakes close. Starts hi, goes lo. 3270m start on Beartooth Hwy, drops quickly to 3034m Gardner Lake then to Losekamp L. Fall tundra in full display, but not much snow yet. #climate #hiking #dogs #wyoming #mountains #gye

Not quite sublime Lakes District west of Beartooth Pass, but Gardner/Losekamp Lakes close. Starts hi, goes lo. 3270m start on Beartooth Hwy, drops quickly to 3034m Gardner Lake then to Losekamp L. Fall tundra in full display, but not much snow yet. #climate #hiking #dogs #wyoming #mountains #gye

Hellroaring Rd. short hike today in the 💦 was not that bad. Just -DZ ocnl -RW/RW so did not get completely soaked 👍🏽. 2400m start up to bridge at 2600m. Fall color more advanced these elevations in here off Rock Crk. Canyon. 7C lite E breeze at start. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains #gye

Red Lodge had official first 0C Tue. morn. -0.5C (31F), earliest since 2020 👍🏽. Shrubs Beartooth Front in color, Aspen just starting. Many unhealthy all thru, Spring climate chaos. Sweet cow moose on our Palisades trail run w nice colors. 23C at 1800m start. #climate #running #dogs #montana #wildlife

Red Lodge had official first 0C Tue. morn. -0.5C (31F), earliest since 2020 👍🏽. Shrubs Beartooth Front in color, Aspen just starting. Many unhealthy all thru, Spring climate chaos. Sweet cow moose on our Palisades trail run w nice colors. 23C at 1800m start. #climate #running #dogs #montana #wildlife

Fall on-going our high plateaus 3100m +. Drying out/brown in the Tundra. 3150m Ice patch survey 4km off Beartooth Highway shows thinner/more melt this summer than last. Thousands years old but will be gone 10 yrs. or less. Lots rain next few days 👍🏽. #climate #hiking #dogs #wyoming #gye #mountains

Fall on-going our high plateaus 3100m +. Drying out/brown in the Tundra. 3150m Ice patch survey 4km off Beartooth Highway shows thinner/more melt this summer than last. Thousands years old but will be gone 10 yrs. or less. Lots rain next few days 👍🏽. #climate #hiking #dogs #wyoming #gye #mountains

Beartrack Trail goes up Silver Run Plateau from either Rock Crk. or W-fork canyons. Used W-fork approach w 2350m start. First 6K are in 8000 ha 2008 Cascade Burn. Cool fall day, ice on trail above 2600m. 28K hike by ascending to 3230m pass, then around/up ridge. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #gye

Beartrack Trail goes up Silver Run Plateau from either Rock Crk. or W-fork canyons. Used W-fork approach w 2350m start. First 6K are in 8000 ha 2008 Cascade Burn. Cool fall day, ice on trail above 2600m. 28K hike by ascending to 3230m pass, then around/up ridge. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #gye

Subtle fall hints in Lakefork Canyon behind town during run today 2200m start to 2450m then back. 10-13C, not too dry. Lots Aspen all thru Beartooth Front/higher terrain behind have some kind of disease. Likely the early spring warmth then May ❄️ weakened them. #climate #running #dogs #montana #gye

Here is what was lost in Carpp Lakes/Warren Pass area of the Pintlers. From the 15000 ha Roberts fire in 2017. In fact these were just 3 weeks before high severity 🔥 swept thru. July 2017 was very hot/dry. Hard to believe and I sure miss the old scenery. #climate #hiking #dogs #montana #mountains

Returned to old fav. winter/summer mtn. getaway 2014-20 when I lived in Missoula, the Pintlers. Behind Anaconda. Which are the Continental Divide, CDT goes thru 👍🏽. Used to ski/hike here w my departed AK kidz Mattie/Kluane, now it is Sundance/Otter's turn. #hiking #climate #dogs #montana #mountains

Returned to old fav. winter/summer mtn. getaway 2014-20 when I lived in Missoula, the Pintlers. Behind Anaconda. Which are the Continental Divide, CDT goes thru 👍🏽. Used to ski/hike here w my departed AK kidz Mattie/Kluane, now it is Sundance/Otter's turn. #hiking #climate #dogs #montana #mountains