Holland Peak with Jen and Kara

Holland Peak and Upper Rumble Lake.

Last week, Jen got an invite from Kara Daume to join her on a climb of Holland Peak. We had plans to climb something up the Swan and so it worked out well for us to join forces with Kara. Holland Peak is one of the Missoula area's best climbs. The standard route heads up Rumble Creek, near Condon, Montana, passing two incredible lakes, at which point things get interesting. From upper Rumble Lake, you head south to the rim of the cirque, then east to the south ridge of Holland, and then the fun part, along the rocky crest of the south ridge, with the sheer drop to upper Rumble Lake looming to your left, and finally, on to the summit. For a full description of the climb, see the Holland Peak Summitpost page. My GPS showed 5500 feet of gain, 10 miles, and 9 hours. It was a great day and was fun to share as a group. 

Morning views of the MIssions.

Hiking steep trail.

Upper Rumble Lake is above the falls you see above, and Holland Peak makes the skyline.

The view back down to lower Rumble Lake.

And again further up.

Upper Rumble Lake.

And again at the upper lake.

Holland Peak from the climb up to the rim of the cirque above upper Rumble.

Kara looking at the Missions.

Up on the interesting south ridge of Holland.

And again.

And yet again.

The interesting spot before gaining the summit slopes.

Finally, gaining the summit.

20th Anniversary year.

Rumble Lakes, upper and lower, from the south ridge of Holland.

Heading home.

Easy traveling, for a change, on the Swan Crest.

And to top things off, a swim in lower Rumble Lake.