The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Brennan’s Wave’ Category

Best Entertainment Places in Missoula

There's something available for everyone when you visit Missoula! Here are just a few: ... more

Missoula – A River Runs Through It

Missoula - a river does indeed run through it. In 1992, the Oscar-winning feature film A River Runs Through It brought notoriety to a town in the Pacific Northwest and the world was introduced to Missoula, Mon... more

Signs and Signals of Summertime in Missoula

By JASON SHREDER - The Best in the West Kayaking Championship marks the beginning of the summer for me and the guides here at Zoo Town Surfers. What marks the beginning of summer for you?... more

Rivers Are On The Rise In Western Montana

By JASON SHREDER - The local river users are bursting with joy as the water levels continue to rise. Here are some safety tips that will assure you of a memorable yet safe experience.... more

5 Things to Include in Your Personal Flotation Device

By JASON SHREDER - Here are the 5 "must have" items I make sure are either in or on my personal flotation device (PFD) when I hit the river.... more

Missoula Story of the Week: Restoring Brennan’s Wave

By TOM DIDDEL - One of Missoula’s best downtown spots for outdoor and water-sports enthusiasts is in need of donations in order to make necessary repairs.... more

Kayaking and Creating Community at Brennan’s Wave

By JASON SHREDER - Thanks to lots of hard work, Caras Park and Brennan’s Wave have become a place where the community can gather and enjoy the sport of kayaking.... more

Photo Gallery: Montana Whitewater Championship Finals

By AUSTIN SMITH - The final round of the Montana Whitewater Championships were held at Brennan’s Wave in Missoula’s Caras Park on Wednesday.... more

Photo Gallery: Montana Whitewater Championship Pre-Comp

By AUSTIN SMITH - The Montana Whitewater Championships will culminate in the final round of competition at Brennan’s Wave in Missoula’s Caras Park on Wednesday.... more

Kayaking is FUN!

By JASON SHREDER - Whether you paddle casually or attack the biggest rapids in the world, just make sure you're kayaking for the right reason: To have fun.... more

A Sunday Afternoon Yard Sale on the Lochsa River

By JASON SHREDER - It’s that time of year where flocks of Missoulians head over Lolo Pass to run the Lochsa River. Just remember: Don't cheer 'til both feet are dry.... more

Spring River Buzz: Early Season Kayaking Tips

By JASON SHREDER - Spring is just around the corner and the river community is buzzing with joy, eagerness, and excitement. Here are a few tips to get you geared up.... more

Whitewater Kayaking Essentials: The Roll, Part 2

By JASON SHREDER - The roll significantly affects your safety, skill progression (both mentally and physically), and the amount of fun you can have on the water.... more

Whitewater Kayaking Essentials: The Roll, Part 1

By JASON SHREDER - One of the things I love about whitewater kayaking is that’s its constantly challenging. One of the biggest challenges beginners face is learning how to roll (AKA: The Combat Roll).... more

Holiday Gift Ideas for River Rats (aka Kayakers)

By JASON SHREDER - Just in time for Christmas, here are my top 11 gift ideas that are sure to please that river runner in your family and guaranteed to get some use!... more

Winter Kayaking Motivation: Don’t Hesitate, Just Go!

By JASON SHREDER - The ultimate winter day is going to Snowbowl in the morning and surfing Brennan’s Wave in the afternoon. How many places can you do that?... more

Kayaking’s Best: The Rider of the Year and Whitewater Grand Prix

By JASON SHREDER - There are many different platforms to showcase the sport of whitewater kayaking. Whether it's big wave surfing in remote places or whitewater parks nestled in the heart of town, they all cont... more

Go with the Flow and Get in the Know

By JASON SHREDER. Water is powerful and is many times underestimated by people. The river is constantly changing and sometimes is unforgiving and demanding. Please remember to be prepared this season. Get ... more

12th Annual Best in the West Freestyle Kayak Competition

MAKE IT MISSOULA MOMENT: 12th Annual Best in the West Freestyle Kayak Competition--a fundraiser for the MAX WAVE.... more

Kayakers – One Big Family

By JASON SHREDER. No matter where you’re from, what you’ve been through, who you’re with, or how good you are, the river is a common ground. We all kayak for different reasons and that’s ok. ... more

The Selway River: A Preseason Kayaking Treat

By JASON SHREDER. The Selway is an epic river trip. It’s a wild and scenic river and is considered by many to be one of the premier wilderness floats in the lower 48. It’s a tough river to get a permit fo... more

Youth Kayaking

By JASON SHREDER. The future of whitewater kayaking, and most other sports lies in the hands of the youth. The younger generation of kayakers keep pushing the limits of kayaking and are discovering what is pos... more

Old Dawgs, New Tricks

By JASON SHREDER. Last weekend I drove over to the Lochsa River, one of my all time favorites. It was a classic Lochsa weekend, rainy, snowy, with an occasional beam of sunshine. The crowd, mostly from Misso... more

Kayaking Essentials

By JASON SHREDER. I remember when I first started I had an old paddle, a spray skirt with a hole in it, a nerdy looking Pro-Tec helmet, nose plugs so tight I could barely talk, and some other pieces of gear t... more

MoBASH Skate Park

Named one of the country’s top 5 skate parks by Thrasher Magazine... more

Are You Drawn or Driven?

By JASON SHREDER. I have been kayaking for 10 years now. In those 10 years I have spent a lot of time on the water. 8 out of those 10 years I have spent over 200 plus days each year on the river. To say the ... more

Missoula Wins Playful City USA Award

In 2009 KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization, confirmed what many Missoulians already knew to be true – Missoula is one of the most Playful Cities in the nation. Playful City USA is a KaBOOM! progra... more

Montana Natural History Center

The Montana Natural History Center helps cultivate the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of nature through education. With a variety of programs for all ages, the Center helps both children a... more