Granite Peak Challenge: A Bozeman Vs Billings Showdown
It starts with community
Early May is a special time around these parts. Not just because the days keep getting longer, our favorite trails start opening up, and the green foothills are crowned with snow-capped peaks, but because it’s the time of year when two of the biggest communities around the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness—the Billings area and the Bozeman area—host lively and generous giving days to support their local nonprofit organizations.
Based in Bozeman, Give Big Gallatin Valley runs from 6 p.m. on May 1 to 6 p.m. on May 2 this year. Billings’ Yellowstone Valley Gives kicks off just past midnight on May 1 and runs until 11:59 p.m. on May 2.
As a small, highly regional nonprofit focused on the stewardship of a single (large and magnificent) wilderness area, events like this are a crucial part of how we fund the projects and programs we run all year long: the habitat restoration projects, the internship program, the trail maintenance work, the wilderness education workshops, and so much more. These programs help keep the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness wild, safe, and accessible for the many of us who love it dearly, and we rely on the good folks who live near, love, and recreate within the AB to help us care for it.
A race to the summit
Luckily, we also have some competitive and energetic surrogate “climbers” in these two towns: Herman Watson from Bozeman, and Maddison Wilhite from Billings. For the second year in a row, Herman and Maddison have challenged each other to a virtual race up Granite Peak—Montana’s 12,800-foot highest peak—by seeing which community can raise $12,800 first.
Last year, Bozeman eked out a last minute victory over Billings on the final summit push, but Billings actually had more overall donors—so it’s anyone’s race this year.
Herman may hold the actual, real life fastest known time up Granite Peak, but Maddison is hard at work trailing for both an upcoming thru-hiking of Vermont’s Long Trail and the Prospector’s 50K in Cooke City, so she’s about as motivated as they come.
Here’s how it works:
If you’re supporting Billings: Yellowstone Valley Gives runs from 12:01 a.m. on May 1 to 11:59 p.m. on May 2. To support Maddison’s push up the peak, give to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation via this link during those dates. Maddison’s supporters will have a little head start, since Yellowstone Valley Gives starts a bit earlier than Give Big.
If you’re rooting for Bozeman: Give Big Gallatin Valley runs from 6 p.m. on May 1 to 6 p.m. on May 2. To support Herman’s push up the peak, give to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation via this link during those dates. We know he’s all about speed, so we’ll see if he can overcome Maddison’s head start with a strong push out of the gate.
Of course, no matter who wins, your support of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is absolutely vital this year. With funding cuts and layoffs running roughshod over the Forest Service in recent months, our beloved wilderness has been left vulnerable in ways we will see the impacts of in both the immediate- and long-term. That’s why the work of organization’s like ours—and the support of good people like you—are as important as they have ever been.
So let’s get out there and show just how much we love this incredible place. See you on the summit!