2013 - Swimming all Named Lakes in the Park

[llholmes1948]

I don't think I was aware of this record but here it is in the yesterday's column of the Hungry Horse News.

Belated congratulations to Mr. Ankenbauer!

How is your list doing, Selkie?

"Sept. 11, 2013

Marc Ankenbauer, a seasonal employee in Glacier National Park, finished a 10-year journey by swimming in all of the 168 named lakes of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Ankenbauer saved Fishercap Lake in Many Glacier as the last lake of the journey. The worst lake was Lilly, on the backside of Adair Ridge."

[zozeppelin]

I stumbled on this when going down the rabbit hole from the lost trails discussion, specifically Miche Wabun.

Here is his blog: Link

Unfortunately, last I checked the majority of the lakes are not covered. Regardless, really cool goal and accomplishment. Really wish some of the obscure ones were covered, like Gryrfalcon, although it may just be all the same pictures of bushwhacking then finding a lake.

[teapot57]

You can read his Gryfalcon Lake writeup here. It’s in the entry that follows the Grace Lake writeup:

https://glacierexplorer.com/tag/gyrfalcon-lake/

[zozeppelin]

Thanks Teapot! Looks like I have some more reading to do. I’ve struggled a bit with the website, where one time I only see a handful of entries, and with your link there are 4 pages.

I really like the posts- a good blend of storytelling and route information, with the route information striking a good balance between step-by-step and ‘then we arrived’.

[teapot57]

I like his posts, too. He’s a good writer!

[Ear Mountain]

I've been to Gyrfalcon Lake twice and Nahsukin once (as part of the exit from Gyrfalcon the first time I was there). I can tell you the descriptions Marc provides are spot on. I never made it to Red Horn Lake though.

[Selkie]

I do remember his exploits, which came during my most active swimming years.
llholmes1948,
thanks for the shoutout. I've been to Glacier only once since the fire scourges took hold; have moved recreation elsewhere, this year to Canadian Rockies, where I did indeed engage in some wild swimming in Chephren Lake, connected to Waterfowl Lakes complex. It's a 3.5-mile hike in. I am now eyeing other lakes up north, though probably not Alaska (on the rota), which nonetheless has a bold open water contingent.