It was mid-August, 2006 when we set out. We all knew we were taking a risk but that is what life is about, right? Heck, our patron is quoted as saying,“I left my heart on the mountain peaks and I hope to retrieve it this summer…” We’ll do it!
Perhaps, they were not the same mountain peaks but we wanted to understand to a greater level how Pier Giorgio could leave his heart on the mountain peaks. So, off to the wilds of Montana, and deep into grizzly bear country we headed, as we sought to spend a week becoming a family, traveling, camping, and falling in love with our Lord’s majesty in the mountains of Glacier National Park.
Who were “We” you may ask? There were six of us, for what turned out to be the furthest distance the Frassati Society of MN had traveled thus far to find the adventure of a lifetime. Our fearless leader was Doug, the current Tech Guru of the society. A young-at-heart, middle aged man with a gentle smile and laid back spirit in the midst of details and danger.
Perhaps, they were not the same mountain peaks but we wanted to understand to a greater level how Pier Giorgio could leave his heart on the mountain peaks. So, off to the wilds of Montana, and deep into grizzly bear country we headed, as we sought to spend a week becoming a family, traveling, camping, and falling in love with our Lord’s majesty in the mountains of Glacier National Park.
Who were “We” you may ask? There were six of us, for what turned out to be the furthest distance the Frassati Society of MN had traveled thus far to find the adventure of a lifetime. Our fearless leader was Doug, the current Tech Guru of the society. A young-at-heart, middle aged man with a gentle smile and laid back spirit in the midst of details and danger.
Co-piloting this event was our Outdoorswoman, Jen Messing, a woman of passion and fire. If you ever meet Jen, you will know that her greatest loves are our Lord Jesus Christ, our Blessed Mother, and the great outdoors.
For a cultural twist we had Sinatra-singing, and Dickinson-quoting Peter Schmitz, recently married, and gracing the company with yet another vocational perspective.
Not to be forgotten, newcomer Kelly (Laumeyer) Dehn who was a refreshing presence of feminine intelligence, poignant affirmations, and wonderful perseverance.
Next, we come to the youngest member of our crew (but mature beyond his years) Andy Wagenbach of Durand, WI. He brought a sense of introspective humor and selfless accountability to our heavenly calls that rivaled our patron, Pier Giorgio himself.
Lastly, you have me, Jessica (Kartak) Kegley, tenacious leader of the society itself for the last year. So, grateful for the opportunity to reap all that our good Lord offers us through fellowship in our Catholic faith especially in the treachery and serenity of the mountains.
After a 24 hour forced march through the badlands of North Dakota, and across eastern Montana, we came to the park around 5:30pm on Thursday, August 10th. After finding a suitable campsite in Fish Creek Campground on the Westside of the park, we set up camp, and settled into our little home for the next three and half days.
The next days were spent enjoying random meals around a campfire, casual conversations about faith, politics, literature, our lives, our needs, and all that connected us. Many realities brought us closer with the close quarters of sharing tents, and gallivanting around the countryside each day in Doug’s chariot, a Ford Taurus sedan, with all 6 of us getting cozy each day to “conserve” gas with $3.50/gallon prices.
The next days were spent enjoying random meals around a campfire, casual conversations about faith, politics, literature, our lives, our needs, and all that connected us. Many realities brought us closer with the close quarters of sharing tents, and gallivanting around the countryside each day in Doug’s chariot, a Ford Taurus sedan, with all 6 of us getting cozy each day to “conserve” gas with $3.50/gallon prices.
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However, we would become closer still, when with the second day, Friday August 11, after a relatively short but strenuous hike to Avalanche Lake, including what Miss Messing referred to as, a grueling "bushwhacking”, we learned of a sorrowful event. As Doug had known might happen, our Lord chose this day to call his son, Bernard Schober, (Doug's father) back to his heavenly home.
All quickly agreed to join Doug in prayer and vowed that wherever he needed to go, we would accompany him. God in his goodness and eternal knowledge chose to allow Doug and the rest of us the time to grow closer to Him for a few more days. Doug’s sisters back home picked up the planning, and Doug was able to lean on us and on hiking to the heavens with his grief.
This is truly what it felt like when we headed to an actual glacier on the fourth day of this journey. Saturday, August 12, we departed at 1:45pm to begin what would be our longest hike. The Grinnell Glacier hike takes approximately 6 hours round-trip when all is functioning perfectly. I’m proud to say that I accomplished the entire hike in a little over 7 hours due to a severely painful left knee that required some extreme assistance (thank you, Andy!) in order to get back down the mountain.
All quickly agreed to join Doug in prayer and vowed that wherever he needed to go, we would accompany him. God in his goodness and eternal knowledge chose to allow Doug and the rest of us the time to grow closer to Him for a few more days. Doug’s sisters back home picked up the planning, and Doug was able to lean on us and on hiking to the heavens with his grief.
This is truly what it felt like when we headed to an actual glacier on the fourth day of this journey. Saturday, August 12, we departed at 1:45pm to begin what would be our longest hike. The Grinnell Glacier hike takes approximately 6 hours round-trip when all is functioning perfectly. I’m proud to say that I accomplished the entire hike in a little over 7 hours due to a severely painful left knee that required some extreme assistance (thank you, Andy!) in order to get back down the mountain.
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God was challenging us all, calling us to self-sacrifice, and humility. Perhaps, this is the point at which we begin to leave our hearts in the mountains, when the self-deaths that are required to survive begin to resurrect our true selves.
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With the dawning of August 13, we had the opportunity to enjoy yet another blessing. Not only were we kissed with the kindness of our Blessed Mother, “Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!” We journeyed to mass and on to the celebrating. Andy turned 21, and on the most beautiful day of the entire trip! We enjoyed the native grown and baked, Huckleberry Pie, and departed with just enough time to hike our last hike of the trip, Hidden Lake.
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Nostalgia came over me in waves all that day. I had been here in 1998. My first mission trip, and the first time I had visited heaven. Truly! The beauty is nothing like anything you will experience. I felt so loved that day. God was so good, as He loved us (well, me) through wild flowers carpeting the mountainside in every shape and color.
Despite my knee problems the day before and with some lingering pain, I still made it to the lake. I had to…persevere; it had been 8 years since I had been there. Skipped some rocks, and was convinced by Peter and Jen that Andy and I really should come see something spectacular.
A waterfall crashing in the woods, literally these falls flowed into “the Promised Land.” “Happy Birthday, Andy, it seemed to sing!” As we hiked back the sunset on those mountains, with all the brilliance that our Lord could muster, was a perfect farewell to us all.
We spent a final evening down by McDonald Lake where we enjoyed the moon rising over the lake one last time and with the next day, came time for us to say “goodbye” to “Big Sky Country.”
After another 23 ½ hour drive home, we arrived safe and sound at my home in Robbinsdale. Weary but joyful for all we had experienced, and grateful for the lessons that Glacier gave us. I know none of us will forget this trip any time soon and I think we all have a greater understanding of the call before us from our brother, Pier Giorgio Frassati, “Verso l’Alto! (Onward to the Heights!) May God bless and keep you all my brothers and sisters: Jen, Kelly, Doug, Andy, and Peter!
Despite my knee problems the day before and with some lingering pain, I still made it to the lake. I had to…persevere; it had been 8 years since I had been there. Skipped some rocks, and was convinced by Peter and Jen that Andy and I really should come see something spectacular.
A waterfall crashing in the woods, literally these falls flowed into “the Promised Land.” “Happy Birthday, Andy, it seemed to sing!” As we hiked back the sunset on those mountains, with all the brilliance that our Lord could muster, was a perfect farewell to us all.
We spent a final evening down by McDonald Lake where we enjoyed the moon rising over the lake one last time and with the next day, came time for us to say “goodbye” to “Big Sky Country.”
After another 23 ½ hour drive home, we arrived safe and sound at my home in Robbinsdale. Weary but joyful for all we had experienced, and grateful for the lessons that Glacier gave us. I know none of us will forget this trip any time soon and I think we all have a greater understanding of the call before us from our brother, Pier Giorgio Frassati, “Verso l’Alto! (Onward to the Heights!) May God bless and keep you all my brothers and sisters: Jen, Kelly, Doug, Andy, and Peter!
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In the Love of Christ and in memorium of Bernard John Schober,
Your sister,
Jessica (Kartak) Kegley
Your sister,
Jessica (Kartak) Kegley