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 ‘Snowmobiling’ Category

Local Snowmobile Store to Host Annual Avalanche Training Event

Gull Boats & RV will host a free annual avalanche traiing event at Big Sky Brewing on October 30 at 6pm featuring instructor Mike Duffy from the American Avalanche Association.... more

Christmas Shopping Suggestions for the Outdoor-Type

By ROB BREEDING - It's hard to buy Christmas gifts for the serious hunter or angler, but here are a few gifts I think most culinary-minded outdoors types would love to find under the tree:... more

Dean Cummings’ “Chugach” Film Screening & Steep Life Protocols

Legendary ski mountaineer Dean Cummings' presents his Steep Life Protocols--a sensible approach to mitigating risk in the mountain environment and avoiding avalanches.... more

3rd Annual Ride for Tanner Rail Jam Nov 9 in Caras Park

FYI - Rail Jam to Benefit the Tanner Olson BMX Park in Downtown Missoula happens on November 9 from 4-10 pm at Caras Park. Be there or Be Square!... more

Missoulians Gather in a Spiritual Plea for Snow!

By MARK VOSBURGH - The fine folks at the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation are throwing an epic Pray for Snow Party at Caras Park on Friday, Oct. 5.... more

Skiers worship “epic” powder Sunday on Lolo Pass, Whitefish Mountain

By PAUL QUENEAU - Lolo Pass, Whitefish Mountain and several other locations are busy marking one of the great powder days of recent times.... more

Missoula and Surrounding Valleys Anticipate a New Storm

By PAUL QUENEAU - A winter storm is expected to hit the Missoula, Bitterroot, Mission, and Flathead valleys with high winds and heavy mountain snow on Wednesday.... more

The Big Snow Cometh: Schools Closed, 30 inches at Lost Trail

By PAUL QUENEAU - Missoula awoke this morning a foot of snow and flakes still falling. Here are the latest snowfall reports from around Western Montana.... more

Work at a Ski Resort

By WARREN MILLER. Are you a recent college grad? Need a job? Google the “want ads” of all the major ski resorts in America. What’s wrong with working at night and skiing or snowboarding all day for a w... more

Storm Bears Down – Prelude to a 2011 Monster Montana Winter?

By PAUL QUENEAU - [Photo Gallery] - Late tonight, a powerful cold front will sweep across western Montana. Could we be in for a repeat of last year's epic winter weather?... more

Take a Hike

The seemingly endless hiking and backpacking opportunities in and around Missoula offer thousands of miles of trails in wilderness areas, Forest Service lands, and BLM lands. Information on hiking in the bac... more