Geocache file generated by BrassCapCacheBrassCapCachecache, geocache, groundspeak2198.766BCP557Thunder Mountain by outforthehunt, Benchmark (1.5/3)http://brasscap.albertabattlecache.ca/capbreakdown/BCP557.htmlThunder MountainGeocacheGeocache|BenchmarkThunder MountainoutforthehuntoutforthehuntBenchmarkVirtual1.53CanadaAlberta<BR><a href='http://brasscap.albertabattlecache.ca/capbreakdown/BCP557.html'TARGET='resource window'>Past Finds for BCP557</a><BR><a href='https://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?ID=17395&LogType=2'TARGET='resource window'>Log Your Find</a>G.S.C. TABLET CEMENTED IN ROCK
GSC BRONZE TABLET CEMENTED INTO ROCK. 22M N OF A HIGH POINT RIDGE; 21M S OF A SINGLE 1M HIGH PINE TREE2017-07-03T20:00:00Found itbrendan714<p>BCP557 Thunder Mountain
N 49° 50.791 W 114° 21.350
(FOUND)</p>
<p>GeoJamie22 and I decided that we needed a rest day after 3 consecutive days of long multi pitch rock climbs. So, we opted to hike up Thunder Mountain. The terrain was a little more challenging than I anticipated, but we scrambled up the peak without any major challenges. This cap was en route to the summit in sort of a weird spot. It's on the false summit, slightly away from any distinct highpoint. Regardless, the views were outstanding and the sun was shining strong.
</p>
<p>After quickly finding the cap we continued on to the summit. An awesome (but hot) day out. The cap is in excellent condition!</p>
2011-11-05T20:00:00Found itBVPete<p>BCP557 Thunder Mountain
N43° 50.793’ W114°21.349’</p>
<p>The first thing I discovered when Sleepy_ hollow, Takin it Easy and I were gearing up for our climb up to the cap on Thunder Mountain was that my brand new weather proof, shock resistance and cold resistant Pentax Optio WG-1 camera had locked up on the greeting screen and would not respond to any commands period! So, unfortunately I was unable to take any photos, however the other two members of the expedition took lots to make up for it. I borrowed the cap shot from TiE so I could at least post something. The next thing we all discovered was that it was very cold any winter really is setting in so we each chucked those amazing little heat packs in our gloves before setting out. I “borrowed” mine from TiE, thanks TiE and I will return them (or new ones) next time. BTW the camera started to work just fine when I got home, I guess it just doesn't like to go outside.</p>
<p>So, up the sometimes steep, occasionally really steep and sometimes very gentle but always interesting mountain we went. The occasional very steep parts were made somewhat intimidating by the presence of a few inches of snow. What would have made bomber foot placements in dry weather became less certain in these conditions. However, these stretches were not very long and the scenery was spectacular. All that initial climbing warmed us up pretty fast so I had to take those hot little hand warmers out of my gloves and put them in my coat pocket, they would go back in the mitts at the cap let me tell you! The icy wind on that exposed ridge was something and we didn’t spend a lot of time there, thanks to Takin it Easy who used great detective skills to find the cap, thank-you TiE.</p>
<p>Our trip down was again slowish (the spell checker doesn’t like that word, but I do, so I am using it), actually I think I go down as slow as I go up. Slow and steady BVPete so to speak. Sleepy hollow is a rocket ship on the descents and he had to spend considerable time waiting for us but as always he is a good sport. Takin it Easy and I had to stop on the lower reachs of the ridge to search for a cache which also took a while - that is what really slowed us down <img src="/images/icons/icon_smile.gif" border="0" align="middle" />.
All and all it was a terrific day out in the mountains with good friends experiencing an adventure in our “great outdoors” together and I am very thankful for each and every one of these friends and adventures (big or small)! Thanks for posting this cap ofth, I think this will make for a really good hike / scramble, especially in the non-winter times.</p>
<p>This entry was edited by BVPete on Sunday, 06 November 2011 at 15:07:18 UTC.</p>
<p>This entry was edited by BVPete on Tuesday, 08 November 2011 at 23:42:25 UTC.</p>
<p>This entry was edited by BVPete on Thursday, 10 November 2011 at 04:03:31 UTC.</p>
2011-11-05T20:00:00Found itTakin it Easy<p>BCP557 Thunder Mountain
Posted N49° 50.791 W114° 21.350
GPSr N49° 50.792 W114° 21.351</p>
<p>Thunder Mountain is situated in the Livingstone Gap along the Oldman River. It has the distinction of being the first peak climbed by a non-native in the Canadian Rockies. The first successful summit of Mount Thunder by a non-native was by none other than Peter Fidler (explorer, surveyor extraordinaire), back in 1792. He apparently stated that he "climbed up a gentle ascent, this making an angle of more than 60 degrees with the horizon, and after much fatigue I got to the top in 2 1/2 hours time". Gentle ascent... 60 degrees. Sleepy_hollow are you descended from Peter Fidler?</p>
<p>Sleepy_hollow, BVPete and I decided to set out to find the Thunder Mt cap this morning. This one provides a stiff ascent right from the start. The recent snowfall made the ascent a challenge for me, but the guidance and support from my companions got me through my lack of comfort and we were soon on a nice wide open ridge area. Once we traversed this section it was back to the up, up, up part that never ended until we arrived at the cap. There were 2 gendarmes to circumvent, that BVPete led us around to the left without issue. When it was time to reaquire the ridge, I must admit that I was again out of my comfort zone due to the snow cover, steepness and overly worn boot treads. With BVPete essentially walking me through the steps all the way up, I soon reached the talus slope. Thanks BVPete! I probably would have turned back without your assistance. After ascending the talus slope we crested the caps location on the false summit and hunted for the cap with VERY cold and VERY windy conditions. Thankfully we made the find, snapped some quick photos and then headed back down as fast as we dared. After a nice lunch spot in the calmer erratic field, where SH disappered for a spell (i.e. hid a cache) we completed our descent to the car with a feeling of accomplishment. I won't comment on our time, but Peter Fidler would have bested us today. Thanks for another memorable cap outing OFTH and thanks to my companions for the conversation and patience.</p>
2011-11-05T20:00:00Found itSleepy_hollow<p>BCP557 - Thunder Mountain </p>
<p>Well with a new cap at an elevated location available, TiE, BVPete, and I headed out this morning with the goal of arriving at the TH after sunrise. We made it to the TH by 8:45 am and surveyed our options for the hike. We decided on the ridge extending to the NE from the survey point as our route due to earlier trip reports and what seemed to be a reasonable track log.</p>
<p>The trail was pretty straight forward and we quickly found ourselves well above our parking spot. We made quick work of the lower section and arrived at the Thunder Mountain boulder field. The spot allows for amazing views to the east and west, as well as giving you a good look at the ridge ahead.</p>
<p>After snapping a number of pictures we got back on the trail and enjoyed some pleasant experiences on the ridge to the summit.</p>
<p>It took a little work to find the elusive cap, but TiE found a survey artifact and shortly thereafter the cap - way to go TiE! After getting the necessary pictures, we quickly retreated off the ridge due to the freezing wind - it was quite nasty!</p>
<p>The trip back down the ridge to the car went very well despite the collection of snow along the trail.</p>
<p>Simply another fine shoulder season hike with fine company - thanks OFTH for the well chosen location and to TiE and BVPete for the great conversation on the trail.</p>
2011-11-04T20:00:00Update Coordinatesoutforthehunt<p>Coordinates changed from:
N 51° 27.837 W 115° 12.628</p>
<p>Coordinates changed to:
N 49° 50.791 W 114° 21.350</p>
<p>Distance from original: 622276.3 feet or 189669.8 meters.</p>
<p>New location at Thunder Mountain BCP557.</p>