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

Posts Tagged ‘Missoula’

Oat Bran Muffins

By TRACY DARUE- Remember the oat bran craze back in the late 1980s? I was hooked on everything oat bran then, hearing that it was a superfood. And these muffins are gluten-free.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 2 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - When it came to picking a piece of land, I have a powerful bias. I just love Missoula, Montana. Someday I want to be able to say that I grow a lemon tree, outdoors, in Montana.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 18

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- In September of 1993 the Griz debuted a new radio play-by-play voice, Mick Holien, and a new furry Mascot, Monte and the program really took off. ... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 18

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 18

Jobs this week: Outdoor General Labor Positions, a Safety Officer, Wildland Firefighters, Engine Crew Boss, Substitute Dispatcher, Cashier and More!... more

Rage Quit? Throw a Fit? You Might Regret it.

By CHERY SABOL - A RESOUNDING RESIGNATION, afire with sturm und drang, can be momentarily satisfying, but damaging for years to come. ... more

Motivational Words for the Boys of Summer

BY BOB WIRE- To inspire my fellow denizens of the diamond, I’ve prepared a motivational speech that I’ll break out as soon as we hit our first slump. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 11

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Former UM head coach Bobby Huack had hoped to be back at the helm of the Grizzlies this season, but at least he will get a chance to see the Griz on film.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 11

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 11

Jobs this week: A Project Superintendent, Lawn Mowing Foreman, Quality Control Workers, Bank Teller, Freight Receiver, Merchandise Processor, Dental hygienist, Delivery Driver and More!... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 1 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON -Decades ago I was obsessed with gardening and outgrew my urban lot. I needed more space. Not only for my horticultural endeavors, but I needed to expand into all sorts of animals.... more

Honey Lime Broiled Salmon with Peanut Sauce

By MANDA HUDAK - Salmon season is underway and here in Montana we are very fortunate to have access to wild Pacific salmon. Here's my recipe for honey lime broiled Salmon with peanut sauce.... more

This Man’s Job is Breathtaking

BY BOB WIRE- I recently went in for a pulmonary function test. I’ve been having trouble breathing since, oh, 2008, and this spring it got pretty bad.... more

Lady Griz Hand Out Annual Awards, Kellie Cole-Rubel Named MVP

Kellie Rubel was named 2015 Most Valuable Player, and Montana’s other two seniors, Maggie Rickman and Carly Selvig, were both double award winners at this week's awards banquet.... more

Habitat for Humanity is Volunteer Missoula’s Organization of the Month!

By JENNIFER PEPPROCK-Volunteer Missoula is excited to feature Habitat for Humanity as our organization of the Month! Habitat has been "Making it Matter" in Missoula for over 20 years. ... more

Carousel to Host Unusual Track Meet to Kick Off Kids’ Day 2015

Hey Kids--wanna barrel race on a stick pony? Toss stinky socks? Tumbe tires? Be a part of the first ever Kids’ Day Track Meet, Sat., May 23, from 8:30-9:30am at the Carousel! ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 4

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- With their second win this season the MSU Bobcat football team will have won 54 games during the Presidency of Baraack Obama more than any other president in Bobcat history.... more

Cinco De Mayo: Fiesta Time or Jail Time?

The Missoula Police Department reminds anyone joining the fiesta that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving and Missoula officers will be out in extra patrols for the Holiday.... more

Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

By ERIN TURNER - Despite not having a drop of Mexican heritage in my blood, I still love celebrating Cinco De Mayo. Here are 5 of my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 4

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of May 4

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of May 4

Jobs this week: A Web Support Specialist, Pediatric RN/LPNs, CNAs and PCAs, Manager of Internal Audit, Line Cook, Direct Care Providers and More!... more

Pro Tips to Avoid Pain at Your Desk

By Clay Springmeyer - The human body wasn’t designed to sit hunched over a computer behind a desk all day. Here are a few tips that can help eliminate pains from a long day at the desk.... more

23rd Annual Garden City Brewfest Scheduled for Sat. May 2, in Caras Park

The 23rd annual Garden City BrewFest will take place Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Caras Park from noon to 8 pm and is the grand finale of the 4th annual Missoula Craft Beer Week.... more

Fewer Surplus Nonresident Elk and Deer Hunting Licenses Available

Beginning Monday, May 4, nonresident hunters can choose among Montana's surplus deer, elk and big game combination hunting licenses and purchase them online or the FWP office.... more

Amphibians in the Spring

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Among the many harbingers of spring are frogs peeping. Boreal frogs are heard everywhere in the spring and early summer. ... more

Breunig & Gregory named Griz Hoops Co-MVPs

By DAVE GUFFEY-Martin Breunig and Jordan Gregory have been named the co-recipients of the Carl E. Dragstedt Award (Most Valuable Player) following the 2014-15 season in which UM went 20-13. ... more

AARP’s RealPad vs. the iPad: My Senior Moment

BY BOB WIRE- My Aunt Byrdona emailed me the other day. "I want to get this tablet," she wrote. "What do you think?” I clicked the link and there it was, AARP's RealPad, a tablet for seniors.... more

Glacier Park Plows Within Two Miles of Logan Pass

By JUSTIN FRANZ - Plow crews on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road are within sight of Logan Pass.... more

Girls Empowerment Program Seeks Summer Participants

YWCA Missoula’s GUTS (Girls Using Their Strengths)! program is looking for girls age 9 – 18 to fill Summer Outdoor Adventure trips.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 27

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 27

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of April 27

Jobs this week: An Enroller/Care Coach, RV Salesperson, Deli Worker, Delivery Job, CDL-A Driver, Production Laborer, Maintenance Tech, Assistant Manager, and More!... more

Softball Splits Doublheader Against Portland State

By SAM WALDORF-The Montana Griz split its doubleheader against Portland State on Saturday, losing the first game 11-9 in nine innings, and winning the second game 3-2. ... more

Griz Track & Field: Griz Drop Both Duals to Bobcats

By JOEL CARLSON-The Montana track and field teams dropped both matchups to Montana State in the annual Griz-Cat Dual Saturday at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.... more

Big Sky Basketball Tournaments Heading to Reno

The men's and women's BSC postseason basketball tournaments are headed to Reno. The Big Sky and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority announced a three-year agreement.... more

Griz Track & Field: Annual Griz-Cat Dual This Week at Donrblaser Field

By JOEL CARLSON-Montana will host the annual Griz-Cat Dual Fri. & Sat. at Dornblaser Field. The hammer throws begin Fri. afternoon at 3 p.m. The rest of the meet will take place Saturday.... more

Bee All You Can Bee

BY BOB WIRE- I was recently featured in a video called "Buggin' Out for the Butterfly House". In this follow-up blog I'll disccuss the green screen, lip synching, and flashing my grapes to the cast and crew.... more

Missoula Art Museum: American Abstract Artists June 5 – August 29

In 1997 American Abstract Artists donated 40 prints to MAM, and a portion of this remarkable portfolio was exhibited. For the first time, MAM is thrilled to show all 40 prints. The Exhibit runs June 5-Aug. 29... more

Frugal and Delicious: Homemade Refried Beans

By ERIN TURNER - With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, why not some try my recipe for simple, delicious, homemade refried beans. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 20

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Make it Missoula Monday | Week of April 20

Check out the various bands and live music all over Missoula sprinkled with a sporting event, film or a fundraiser. ... more

Missoula Job Service Featured Jobs | Week of April 20

Jobs this week: A Program Coordinator for a transitional housing program, Assistant Travel Counselor, Case Manager, Sales and Services Coordinator, Shipping & Receiving Clerk, and More!... more

LUNAFEST Film Festival: Supporting Women Filmmakers and YWCA GUTS Program

The LUNAFEST Film Festival returns to the Wilma Theater, May 7, at 7pm. LUNAFEST Supports Women Filmmakers and the YWCA GUTS! Girls Leadership Program.... more

International Wildlife Film Festival April 18-25, 2015

Missoula plays host to the highly anticipated International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) from April 18-25 at Missoula’s newly restored Roxy Theater.... more

Buggin’ Out for the Butterfly House

BY BOB WIRE- When a friend from the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium asked me if I'd be interested in helping them with a fund raising project, I said yes, on one condition....... more

Hanson Hired as Next Montana Assistant AD for Communications

Mike Hanson has been hired as the school’s new Assistant Athletic Director of Communications to replace Dave Guffey, who will retire after 37 years with the department.... more

Sign the Kiddos up for Summer Camp at the Missoula Kids Camp Expo

Come to the 4th Annual Missoula Kids Camp Expo Saturday, Apr. 18th from 1-4 pm. Sign the kids up for camp at one of 20 Missoula summer camp and children’s Activity providers. ... more