From The Gallatin National Forest Trail, A View Upstream, Of Cottonwood Canyon Where It Is Very Wide.


….No applicable ZMM Passage

Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.
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(Photo = NC8l Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 173 ...... WayPt N+C 08a ~6560ft = 2.3 mi fm DeWeese.)

A GoogleEarth View of Cottonwood Canyon And Fox Creek Canyon, Showing Waypoints N+C 09-10-11, For The Most Likely Gallatin National Forest, Mountain Climb Route That => Fits The ZMM Book’s Narrator + Chris Climb Narrative. View Looking ~East.

Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin Gateway, MT.
REPEAT FROM PREVIOUS: VIEWING NOTES:
…A) The GoogleEarth photo image you see above, shows the Mountain Landscape of the next SEVEN photos, but since it is a 2D Image it is difficult to perceive any 3D.
…B) To REALLY SEE the 3D “in” these Mountain Landscapes, study Right Click Here And Request New Tab. Then GoogleEarth will load in an extra Browser Tab. After several minutes to load, at Lower Right, ClickOn 2D, to bring up 3D, then ClickDrag, to Best See the 3D.
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(Photo = ScrnCapt GoogEarth CottnWoodCyn N+C 09-10 11.jpg...... ZMM Page = 173 ......WayPt ~= N+C 09-10 11)

A View Along The Gallatin National Forest Trail, In Fox Creek Canyon.

….No applicable ZMM Passage

Entering Fox Creek Canyon, After Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.

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(Photo = NC9b Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 173 ...... WayPt N+C 09 ~6570ft = 4.3 mi fm DeWeese.)

A Second View Along The Gallatin National Forest Trail, In Fox Creek Canyon.

….No applicable ZMM Passage

Entering Fox Creek Canyon, From Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.

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(Photo = NC9c Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 173 ...... WayPt N+C 09 ~6570ft = 4.3 mi fm DeWeese.)

A Good Place For The ZMM Narrator And Chris To Stop For A Rest.

…. “ We stop for a rest, sit down and brace against a tree so that we don’t topple over backward from the packs. After a while I reach around over my shoulder, take the machete from the top of my pack and hand it to Chris.
"See those two aspens over there? The straight ones? At the edge?" I point to them. "Cut those down about a foot from the ground."
"Why?"
"We’ll need them later for hiking sticks and tent poles."
Chris takes the machete, starts to rise but then settles back again. "You cut them," he says.
So I take the machete and go over and cut the poles. They both cut neatly in one swing, except for the final strip of bark, which I sever with the back hook of the machete. Up in the rocks you need the poles for balancing and the pine up above is no good for poles, and this is about the last of the aspen here. “

Fox Creek Canyon, After Turnoff From Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.

Here Are More Clues, So Far, As To Where The ZMM Narrator And Chris Have Hiked =>
…. a) Although 3 or 4 days for 12 miles, may seem way too much time, perhaps it is a reasonable speed for mountains with steep slopes, especially considering that the Narrator and Chris ( only 11 years old), are carrying heavy packs. Both are out of shape, and must stop often for long rests.
…. b) After two days hiking, they will be relatively near a frequently traveled road.
…. c) When they turn into a smaller, less traveled canyon, this turns their route away from their snow goal, requiring a later turning back, and continuing upward onto a ridge.
…. d). All very important clues, especially the ridge clue, being well above the smaller canyon at this point.

NOTE:
…. Topo Maps, do show in Cottonwood Canyon, where a viewer ~2 miles from the DeWeese’s could see => Directly up-canyon, and view a ridge, in the foreground, and beyond the ridge could, see some very high mountains, which would have snow. That this is possible, is confirmed by viewing this in GoogleEarth.
…And, as discussed in a previous photo, it is believed that this is the way Author Robert Pirsig, knew to write this idea into ZMM Book.
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(Photo = NC9d.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 173 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt N+C 10 ~6800ft = 4.4 mi fm DeWeese.)

The ZMM Narrator Plans The Climb So At End Of The Second Day, They Will Be Near a Road.

…. “As DeWeese said, from here straight south you can go seventy-five miles through nothing but forests and snow without ever encountering a road, although there are roads to the east and the west. I’ve arranged it so that if things work out badly at the end of the second day we’ll be near a road that can get us back fast. Chris doesn’t know about this, and it would hurt his YMCA-camp sense of adventure to tell him, but after enough trips into the high country, the YMCA desire for adventure diminishes and the more substantial benefits of cutting down risks appear. “
….“ This country can be dangerous. You take one bad step in a million, sprain an ankle, and then you find out how far from civilization you really are. “



Fox Creek Canyon, After Turnoff From Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT. Another important clue. A chosen hypothetical trail should end close to a traveled road and by implication, the entire climb route was planned never to be too far from roads with some traffic and help. This is another constraint on Hypothetical Trail that is decided upon.
….WARNING!! Despite Appearances, The Forest Slopes And Mountain Peaks Are Dangerous!
….Accidents and serious sickness can and do happen! Tell the NFS and your friends where you are going and when you will be back!!!! Quality demands you plan these things ahead. Also, do not go alone and have adequate maps, food, water, etc.
….The ZMM Pilgrim should well copy the many, many safety techniques of the Narrator, distributed throughout ZMM.
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(Photo = NC9a.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 178 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt 10b ~6900ft = 4.4 mi fm DeWeese.)

It Is About 4.5 Miles From The DeWeese’s, And Chris Is Showing Severe Fatigue.

Start of Chapter 17: …. “It’s looking bad for Chris. For a while he was way ahead of me and now he sits under a tree and rests. He doesn’t look at me, and that’s how I know it’s bad. .. I sit down next to him and his expression is distant. His face is flushed and I can see he’s exhausted. We sit and listen to the wind through the pines. .. I know eventually he’ll get up and keep going but he doesn’t know this, and is afraid to face the possibility that his fear creates: that he may not be able to climb the mountain at all. I remember something Phædrus had written about these mountains and tell it to Chris now.“ [Here, Chris hears the story about the moose. This takes his mind off his troubles.]
.
Fox Creek Canyon, After Turnoff From Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.
As already mentioned in a previous photo => At first I thought WayPt = N+C 05 or 06, might be where the Narrator turns into the smaller, seldom entered canyon. But this route did not fit the Narrator's overall story.
…However, further study of Topo Maps, found that Fox Creek Canyon is large enough, that it well fits the ZMM Narrator’s Climb Trail into "a seldom entered canyon."
,,,Indeed, Fox Creek Canyon well fits the Narrator’s much earlier statement => "Just up above the top of the ridge the snow can be seen now. On foot it’s many days away though. The rocks below it are too steep for a direct hiking climb, particularly with the heavy loads we are carrying, and Chris is way too young for any kind of ropes-and- pitons stuff. We must cross over the forested ridge we are now approaching, enter another canyon, follow it to its end and then come back at an upward angle along to the ridge. Three days hard to the snow. Four days easy. If we don’t show up in nine, DeWeese will start looking for us."


…But intensive study of both Topo Maps and GoogleEarth, forces realization that => The Narrator statement =>. "We must cross over the forested ridge we are now approaching, .... ", can NOT be literally true, because the " the forested ridge ", which is seen below the snow, would be far too difficult to " cross over", especially considering, there woud be much steep climbing & descending, without any existing easily traveled trail. And it would far easier to follow the well traveled NF Trail along Cottonwood Creek, until they are far enough along to " enter another canyon, follow it to its end."
…For these reasons, the last part of the above Narrator’s passage is AMENDED to => “ We must follow a well-traveled trail, until we are well beyond the forested ridge we are now approaching, enter another canyon, follow it to its end and then come back at an upward angle along to the ridge, getting close to snow."
….And after they reach a crest on that ridge, there will be visible, a somewhat straight path to the snow! All excellent “clues” for field verification!!


BOTTOM LINE:
…Here we can see in these Narrator’s statements, specific identifiable clues for parts of their route up!
…Important clue to find for this => The Most Likely Gallatin National Forest Mountain Route That => Fits The ZMM Book’s Narrator + Chris Climb Narrative.
…These trail clues will be further discussed in the next ~26 Photos, where will be illustrated => The Most Likely Gallatin National Forest Mountain Route That => Fits The ZMM Book’s Narrator + Chris Climb Narrative.
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(Photo = IMG_0045 Resize 3355x1000.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 179 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10c ~6920ft = 4.5 mi fm DeWeese. )

It Is About 4.5 Miles From The DeWeese’s, And Chris Is Showing Severe Fatigue.

Start of Chapter 17: …. “It’s looking bad for Chris. For a while he was way ahead of me and now he sits under a tree and rests. He doesn’t look at me, and that’s how I know it’s bad. .. I sit down next to him and his expression is distant. His face is flushed and I can see he’s exhausted. We sit and listen to the wind through the pines. .. I know eventually he’ll get up and keep going but he doesn’t know this, and is afraid to face the possibility that his fear creates: that he may not be able to climb the mountain at all. I remember something Phædrus had written about these mountains and tell it to Chris now.“ [Here, Chris hears the story about the moose. This takes his mind off his troubles.]
.
Fox Creek Canyon, After Turnoff From Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.
As already mentioned in a previous photo => At first I thought WayPt = N+C 05 or 06, might be where the Narrator turns into the smaller, seldom entered canyon. But this route did not fit the Narrator's overall story.
…However, further study of Topo Maps, found that Fox Creek Canyon is large enough, that it well fits the ZMM Narrator’s Climb Trail into "a seldom entered canyon."
,,,Indeed, Fox Creek Canyon well fits the Narrator’s much earlier statement => "Just up above the top of the ridge the snow can be seen now. On foot it’s many days away though. The rocks below it are too steep for a direct hiking climb, particularly with the heavy loads we are carrying, and Chris is way too young for any kind of ropes-and- pitons stuff. We must cross over the forested ridge we are now approaching, enter another canyon, follow it to its end and then come back at an upward angle along to the ridge. Three days hard to the snow. Four days easy. If we don’t show up in nine, DeWeese will start looking for us."


…But intensive study of both Topo Maps and GoogleEarth, forces realization that => The Narrator statement =>. "We must cross over the forested ridge we are now approaching, .... ", can NOT be literally true, because the " the forested ridge ", which is seen below the snow, would be far too difficult to " cross over", especially considering, there woud be much steep climbing & descending, without any existing easily traveled trail. And it would far easier to follow the well traveled NF Trail along Cottonwood Creek, until they are far enough along to " enter another canyon, follow it to its end."
…For these reasons, the last part of the above Narrator’s passage is AMENDED to => “ We must follow a well-traveled trail, until we are well beyond the forested ridge we are now approaching, enter another canyon, follow it to its end and then come back at an upward angle along to the ridge, getting close to snow."
….And after they reach a crest on that ridge, there will be visible, a somewhat straight path to the snow! All excellent “clues” for field verification!!


BOTTOM LINE:
…Here we can see in these Narrator’s statements, specific identifiable clues for parts of their route up!
…Important clue to find for this => The Most Likely Gallatin National Forest Mountain Route That => Fits The ZMM Book’s Narrator + Chris Climb Narrative.
…These trail clues will be further discussed in the next ~26 Photos, where will be illustrated => The Most Likely Gallatin National Forest Mountain Route That => Fits The ZMM Book’s Narrator + Chris Climb Narrative.
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(Photo = IMG_0045 Resize 3355x1000.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 179 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10c ~6920ft = 4.5 mi fm DeWeese. )

Well AFTER The Fact, The ZMM Narrator Tells Us They Have Turned Off From the Main Trail, and Entered “A Seldom Entered Canyon ” And Have Climbed Enough, That They Are “This Far Up ”.

…. “This is apparently a seldom-entered canyon this far up. ”

Continuing Moving Up In A Smaller Side Canyon, Off Of Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT. Here at this N+C 09 WayPt, my "N+C Hypothetical Climb Trail" shows this turn, into a Smaller Side Canyon, off of Upper Cottonwood Canyon.

The Three Trail Clues Discussed In The Previous Photos, Suggests =>
..a) Because they can soon “ follow it to its end ", the canyon they enter is likely smaller than the canyon they have been in. AND
..b) The trail shows less use than the trail they have been on and their current trail soon disappears.
….I believe these clues best fit where they enter Fox Creek Canyon, as shown in my "Hypothetical Trail Climbing Map" WayPt = N+C 09 to 10. It is reasonable that this Fox Creek Canyon should also have a trail, because its floor is fairly level and large enough to look inviting. Thus we may suppose hikers on the well-traveled Cottonwood Trail, might turn off, to also explore this Fox Creek Canyon somewhat, and leave a weak trail there.
…. This is confirmed by Gallatin National Forest Trail AllTrails Maps, which show an official trail for Cottonwood Canyon, which connects to an official trail going about a mile up along Fox Creek, until the trail turns West to climb to slope to Fox Creek Meadow. Mouse ClickDrag Map To Follow Along Cottonwood Creek & Trail, Until You See Where The Trail Turn East Into Another Canyon.
… I have seen other Trail Maps, which show a main trail in Cottonwood Canyon, which continues all the way to Mt. Blackmore and beyond to Hyalite Canyon Campgrounds and public paved roads. These attractions are a destination and a source of a large amount of foot traffic traveling both ways on the Cottonwood Trail.
….Clearly, this Cottonwood Trail is a main trail that would show much more traffic than Fox Creek Canyon Trail, , which fits the ZMM Narrator’s, “seldom-entered side canyon“.
…In addition to the above-mentioned AllTrails Maps, showing these trails both Cottonwood Canyon, and in Fox Creek Canyon, you may also see these trails in the very good Maps given
in => Caltopo Maps, which also show all 30 N+C WayPoint and Elevations . Click Here.

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(Photo =. IMG_0145 Resize1000x1333 ...... ZMM Page = 181 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10d ~6940ft = 4.9 mi fm DeWeese.)

The ZMM Narrator and Chris Have Been Climbing For A Long Time In The “ Seldom Entered Canyon “.
….And Now Angle Up And “Away From The Stream … With As Little Effort As Possible “.
…….As One Climbs, Each Step Is a Unique Event: "This Leaf! This Rock! “ .....

…. “We walk now away from the stream we were following, up the canyon side at the shallowest angle I can find. .. Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow. .. But of course, without the top you can’t have any sides. It’s the top that defines the sides. So on we go—we have a long way—no hurry—just one step after the next—with a little Chautauqua for entertainment -- .Mental reflection is so much more interesting than TV it’s a shame more people don’t switch over to it. They probably think what they hear is unimportant but it never is.“

Fairly High In A Smaller Side Canyon, Off Of Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.
Trail Location Clue =>: Apparently the Narrator’s route previous to this point, has had a relatively easy slope.
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(Photo = IMG_0143 Resize 1333x1000 ...... ZMM Page = 183 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10f ~6980ft = 5.1 mi fm DeWeese.)

Steady Climbing Wears On Chris.

…. “I turn to see how Chris is doing. His face looks tired. .. I ask, "How do you feel?" .. "Okay," he says, but his tone is defiant. .. "We can stop anywhere and camp," I say. .. He flashes a fierce look at me, and so I say nothing more. Soon I see he’s working his way around me on the slope. With what must be great effort he pulls ahead. We go on.
. .. Phædrus got this far with his concept of Quality because he deliberately refused to look outside the immediate classroom experience. Cromwell’s statement, "No one ever travels so high as he who knows not where he is going," applied at this point. He didn’t know where he was going. All he knew was that it worked.“

Smaller Side Canyon Off Of Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.

Clues, So Far, As To Where The Narrator And Chris Hike => .
..a) The side canyon is steep enough and long enough to badly stress Chris, who is already tired from the long trail in their first major canyon.
..b) One thing we should remember is that Bozeman area is already ~a mile higher than the Narrator & Chris’ home in Minneapolis.
…AND as this climb progresses, it gets higher and higher in altitude. This means thin air, which, in addition to being “out of shape “, can add immensely to the fatigue, and being out of breath.
… In fact, when Chris and the Narrator get to the really steep part (mentioned forthcoming photos), the Narrator is taking three breaths per step! Indications of steepness and thin air!
..c) During this time, “the snow is less visible“, but this means it’s still possible to see snow and watch it, as they are moving towards this show as if their intended goal.
..d) The “side canyon” leads them up a ridge, which would then lead up to snow.
..e) Note how all these climbing descriptions “with what must be great effort “, “flashes a fierce look“ & “ working his way around“, are poetically related to the Narrator’s description of Phaedrus’, long and very difficult search for a satisfactory full meaning of Quality!
…Again, wonderful Metaphoric Bridge Connections!
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(Photo = IMG_0097 Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 187 & 188 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10g ~7000ft = 5.2 mi fm DeWeese.)

The Clouds Appearing On the Other Side Of The Canyon, Signal Problems With Chris.
….Also Metaphorically Indicates Problems With The Narrator’s Working Out His Own Understanding of Quality.

….The New “ Coolness Makes It Easier Hiking ” AND Easier For The Narrator’s Discussion Of “Quality ”.

…. “"I don’t like this trip," he says. "It isn’t any fun. I thought it was going to be fun." .. Some anger catches me off guard too. "That may be true," I reply, "but it’s a hell of a thing to say." .. I see a sudden flick of fear in his eyes as he gets up.
.... We go on.
.... The sky over the other wall of the canyon has become overcast, and the wind in the pines around us has become cool and ominous.
.... At least the coolness makes it easier hiking -- . .. “

Continued Climbing The Side Of Fox Creek Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT. (GPS = 45.47608 -111.02714 )

Note how the Narrator's clouds warn us of bad things to come, and this is not necessarily the weather! This keeps the reader in suspense, and is one of the Narrator's techniques to keep the reader alert and engaged!
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…. Click here for Google Maps Satellite Overview of Cottonwood Canyon, Fox Creek Canyon, showing => A Trail Partly Following Fox Creek. Unmarked Center of screen is WayPt = N+C 12.
….AFTER Satellite View comes up, ClickDtag gradually to the South and a bit East, and will see at right } Hyalite Reservoir, then Hyalite Creek Trailhead. …. Continue to ClickDrag South, and you will see to center and more left => Mount Blackmore (10,154 ft) and Elephant Mountain (10,085 ft).
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(Photo = IMG_0119 Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 193 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10h 7100ft = 5.3 mi fm DeWeese.)

Chris And The Narrator Have Climbed High Enough That They Can See The Other Side of the Canyon.

… “A real understanding of Quality doesn’t just serve the System, or even beat it or even escape it. A real understanding of Quality captures the System, tames it, and puts it to work for one’s own personal use, while leaving one completely free to fulfill his inner destiny.
Now that we’re up high on one side of the canyon we can see back and down and across to the other side. It’s as steep there as it is here—a dark mat of greenish-black pines going up to a high ridge. We can measure our progress by sighting against it at what seems like a horizontal angle.“

Climbing The Side Of Fox Creek Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.

SIDE NOTES:
.….Free Download For An Installed Computer APP You Might Want To Use =>
…..In Your Computer, An Installed Google Earth Pro, Will Show ~SAME Satellite Views (As The Above Blue Link), But With MANY ADDED VIRTUES !!
….After Google Earth APP is Downlloaded & Installed: Then when GoogleEarth, comes up on your computer screen (just like the above Google Map Satellite View), you can either search or ClickDrag, to find what you are looking for, such as => Bozeman, MT. or =>A Ridge At Mount Blackmore's West Flank!
.A) An especially nice feature => The GoogleEarth Display somewhat reveals the 3D View of these mountains, by manually doing a Clk&Drag of the landscape!
..B) GoogleEarth, is one of the best (and free) GPS Data > Map Display APPS,
..C) AND The Internet Download and Installation of this Computer Application, is relatively easy and reliable.
..D) Once GoogleEarth is installed in a person’s computer, they can Import the GPS Coordinates, from their Handheld GPS Unit, or other listings, such as are in CalTopo.
..E) Once a person’s GPS Coordinates are imported, GoogleEarth does an excellent job of displaying these GPS WayPoints, for example, added to the Mountain Terrain View !!
..F) AND there are many other “Tools”, ”Adds”: and “Map Layers” plus => Many other nice features, that you will eventually want and use!
..G) GoogleEarth > “Tools” > “Ruler” > Can give you point-to-point (straight line) travel distances in miles. This is an especially useful Tool.
…. Here’s What You Have To Do =>
GoogleEarth > Top > “Tools”, where you can select “Ruler”, which in turn allows you to mouse-click-mark two points on your Trail View.
…. With more clicks you get the point-to-point (straight line), travel distance miles, which are (straight line), shown on your trail map.
….AND you can save successive such “straight lines“ to show a map of a complete Mountain Climb, all of which is added to the (somewhat) 3D.View of These Mountains. Naturally the 3D.View includes the Satellite Image, which shows the trees, rocks, streams, rivers, roads, & towns!
.****************.
.
Henry Gurr’s Steps =>To Learn How I Use GoogleEarth => Right Click & Open In A New Tab.
….Then AFTER this Photo Comes Up => Start reading at …. For Persons Who Which To Know More =>
For the above you must (free) download and installed in your computer
…. Great Views. Try It! It Downloads & Installs Fast &Easy, Comes Up Quickly And Is Lots Of Fun!
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(Photo = IMG_0112 Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 193 ...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 10ii ~7150ft = 5.6 mi fm DeWeese.)

A GoogleEarth View of Fox Creek Canyon, Showing Waypoints N+C 11 12, For The Most Likely Gallatin National Forest, Mountain Climb Route That => Fits The ZMM Book’s Narrator + Chris Climb Narrative. View Looking ~East.

Fox Creek Canyon, Gallatin Gateway, MT.
REPEAT FROM PREVIOUS: VIEWING NOTES:
…A) The GoogleEarth photo image you see above, shows the Mountain Landscape of the next THREE photos, but since it is a 2D Image it is difficult to perceive any 3D.
…B) To REALLY SEE the 3D “in” these Mountain Landscapes => Right Click Here And Request New Tab. Then GoogleEarth will load in an extra Browser Tab. After several minutes to load, at Lower Right, ClickOn 2D, to bring up 3D, then ClickDrag, to Best See the 3D.
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(Photo = ScrnCapt GoogEarth CottnWoodCyn N+C 11 12.jpg...... ZMM Page = 196 ......WayPt ~= N+C 11 12)

The Narrator and Chris Work Off Anger & Resentment, As They Move Slowly Upward For the Next Hour.
….They Find What Seems To Be the Last Available Water.

…. “He shows anger, but says nothing, for fear he’ll have to carry the pack again, just frowns and ignores me while I relay the packs upward. I work off the resentment at having to do this by realizing that it isn’t any more work for me, actually, than the other way. It’s more work in terms of reaching the top of the mountain, but that’s only the nominal goal. In terms of the real goal, putting in good minutes, one after the other, it comes out the same; in fact, better. We climb slowly upward and the resentment leaves.
.... For the next hour we move slowly upward, I carrying the packs in relays, to where I locate the beginning trickle of a stream. I send Chris down for water in one of the pans, which he gets. When he comes back he says, "Why are we stopping here? Let’s keep going."
... "This is probably the last stream we’ll see for a long time, Chris, and I’m tired."“

Up the side of Fox Creek Canyon, A Smaller Canyon, Off Of Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT. Several days later Chris has diarrhea. Is this from drinking stream water in these mountains?
….MORE TRAIL CLUES:
..a) An hour more they move up steadily. This implies a continuation of the same grade since near the beginning at Fox Creek.
..b) They find a trickle of a stream small enough such that this is likely the last water. According to the Topo Map's blue color, Fox Creek is a stream here, and even much farther up. This would imply more than just a trickle of water. However, this is a low area, wind-sheltered, and a south-facing slope. Despite the forest, this would promote more rapid drying, thus any water this far up, might have nearly have dried up in the mid-summer when Chris and the Narrator were there.
..c) Alternatively, the Narrator may have found a hillside spring & small stream, perhaps some distance from Fox Creek, depending on their route up.
….My "N+C Hypothetical Climb Trail", marked on my Topo Map, assumes the trail goes close by Fox Creek where there might be water, then goes East from the creek, and then continues up and Southeast, towards the lower edge, of the ZMM Narrator’s ridge ahead, climbs onto it, and then is close to a knoll for camping.
….This trail assumes the Narrator & Chris have climbed the continuing grade somewhat along Fox Creek (or not too far away) this entire climb.
….Determination of the presence (or absence) of summertime availability of water in Fox Creek and how far up, will have to await additional trail research.
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(Photo = NC11a Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 197 ...... WayPt = N+C 11 ~7200ft = 5.7 mi fm DeWeese.)

After a Long Time, The Climb Suddenly Gets Steeper, Then Changes to Nearly Vertical!

…. “My pack must be about forty or forty-five pounds now, and after we’ve climbed for a while an equilibrium establishes itself at about one breath for each step. ... We come to a rough grade and it changes to two breaths per step. At one bank it goes to four breaths per step. Huge steps, almost vertical, hanging on to roots and branches. I feel stupid because I should have planned my way around this. The aspen staves come in handy now, and Chris takes some interest in the use of his. The packs made you top heavy and the sticks are good insurance against toppling over. You plant one foot, plant the staff, then SWING on it, up, and take three breaths, then plant the next foot, plant the staff and SWING up -- .. “

On Very, Very, Steep Slope On The Side Of A Smaller Canyon, Off Of Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT. Additional clues as to where the narrator and Chris hiked: We are told that
..a) They continue up, but not long after finding water,
..b) There is a considerable increase in steepness, that quickly changes to near vertical.
…..The route I have indicated on my Hypothetical Climbing Trail Topo Map shows a very steep part from WayPt N+C 11 to N_C 12. Although it is hard to tell from the Topo Map Contour Lines, this could have some very steep parts, perhaps fitting the Narrator’s “near vertical”.
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(Photo = NC7d Resize1000x1333.JPG ...... ZMM Page = 199 ...... Photo Simulate Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 11a ~7400ft = 5.8 mi fm DeWeese.)

The Narrator And Chris Have Climbed To Nearly Level To The Opposite Side Of The Canyon, And
… This Metaphorically Relates To The ZMM Narrator’s….“ => That’s All The Quality Talk For Today. “

….“Now that we’re up high on one side of the canyon we can see back and down and across to the other side. It’s as steep there as it is here -- a dark mat of greenish-black pines going up to a high ridge -- We can measure our progress by sighting against it at what seems like a horizontal angle.
.... That’s all the Quality talk for today, I guess, thank goodness. I don’t mind the Quality, it’s just that all the classical talk about it isn’t Quality. Quality is just the focal point around which a lot of intellectual furniture is getting rearranged. .. “

Just After A Very, Very, Steep Climb Slope, On The Side Of Smaller Canyon, Off Of Upper Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT.

The Narrator Says ….“ => That’s All The Quality Talk For Today. “ Here We Are To Realize This Poetically Reflects Upon (Metaphoric Bridge Connection), To The Fact That => The ZMM NarratorAnd Chris Have Climbed To Nearly Level To The Opposite Side Of The Canyon, And Thus Near To, The Height To Be Climbed For Today.

Additional Clues As To Where The Narrator And Chris Climbed: =>
..a) Climbing up the “Smaller Seldom Used Canyon”, they can now see level to the top of the larger canyon they left behind. And can see the Larger Canyon has both sites of equal steepness, and height,
..b) And evidently they still are on a continuing very, steep climb slope.
..c) When they look across to the opposite side, there is no snow or it would have been mentioned.
..d) The other side of the larger canyon also has a ridge described as equally high and having “ a dark mat of greenish-black pines“
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These are all additional valuable "field checks", to see if the correct route has been found.
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(Photo = IMG_0132 Resize 1333x1000.JPG...... ZMM Page = 200...... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 11b ~ 7600ft = 5.9 mi fm DeWeese.)

A Climbing Break At a Place Where The View Is Way Down.

…. “We stop for a break and look down below. Chris’s spirits seem to be better now, but I’m afraid it’s the ego thing again.
.... "Look how far we’ve come," he says.
.... "We’ve got a lot farther to go."
.... Later on Chris shouts to hear his echo, and throws rocks down to see where they fall. He’s starting to get almost cocky, so I step up the equilibrium to where I breathe at a good swift rate, about one-and-a-half times our former speed. This sobers him somewhat and we keep on climbing.
.. .. By about three in the afternoon my legs start to get rubbery and it’s time to stop. I’m not in very good shape. If you go on after that rubbery feeling you start to pull muscles and the next day is agony. “

Higher Up From The Very, Very, Steep Climb Slope, On The Side Of A Smaller Canyon, Off Of Cottonwood Canyon, Gallatin National Forest, MT. Another trail clue which is also a prompt to Chris’ behavior => Arriving at the top of the very, very, steep part, would have a somewhat of a good cliff or steep edge, over which to throw rocks and test an echo. Chris having just accomplished the very steep part, and being on a good cliff, might well have prompted this burst of bravado in Chris, hence his behavior.
… This "N+C Hypothetical Climb Trail " WyPt N+C 12, well fits the Narrator's above description. And once a final hypothetical trail is chosen, these clues are testable by onsite field checks..

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(Photo = IMG_0156 Resize1000x1333.JPG ..... ZMM Page = 200 ..... Photo Simulate WayPt = N+C 12 7650ft = 6.0 mi fm DeWeese.)