86-year-old man climbs Mission Mountains

Del Palmer (left) and grandson Justin Palmer climbed the Mission Mountain range together.

CHARLO — Del Palmer had been looking at the beautiful view of the Mission Mountain range for years and it occurred to him that he would like to climb the mountains directly in his line of vision.

Climbing a mountain is a pretty hardy goal for anyone but Palmer added a few extra elements to the challenge — including the fact that he's 86-years-old this year.

"I wanted to climb it for years but I finally got old enough so I could do it," Palmer said. "One of my set goals was to climb the Mission Mountain Range."

Palmer started out one morning earlier this year with plans to climb Mt. Harding. Justin Palmer, Del's grandson, went along to keep track of his grandfather in place of Del's son, who managed to break his foot just before the trip. A family friend also came along for the trip for support and safety in the event something happened. The family dog also came along for moral support.

"I picked up a walking stick along the tree line," Palmer said. "You can't get a good walking stick above the tree line because trees don't grow past it. A person should have a walking stick in case they slip. I don't need a cane or anything like that but I think everyone young and old should have a good walking stick."

The climbing team rode horses to the tree line. Justin, the youngest member of the team, walked behind the horses and was extremely sore the next day.

"It took seven hours to make the trip up and back," he said.

Palmer began to ascend the mountain after securing the horses. The terrain was rocky and steep, and it was hot enough, Palmer said, that the sun beating directly down could give you a sunburn. The team hiked in T-Shirts most of the way but Palmer put on his flannel shirt when he stopped to prevent getting a chill induced by the combination of wind and sweat.

Before reaching the top, Palmer encountered one of the hazards of mountain climbing.

"I fell. I expected to do some of that," he said, sitting comfortably on his couch with a bit of discoloration under his eye and a small cut over his brow. "You always take a chance when you do anything."

The biggest reason for the fall, Palmer noted, was that his walking stick was punier on one end.

"I was walking one minute then down the rocks I went. Nevertheless, Justin kept track of me. I was never in any danger. It just bloodied an eye for me," he said.

The rest of the climb was more enjoyable, and the team got to enjoy the best part — the view from the top.

"I thought we'd never get there," Palmer said. "But the top was wonderful. This valley is absolutely beautiful. It looks plum flat from way up there. It's like a great big football field."

At the top, the team took a few moments to take pictures with one of Palmer's older film cameras that he has used to record many moments in his life.

"We took a few pictures and looked the country over," he noted.

Palmer spent many years farming the land he was viewing and many miles driving the highway he pointed out to his grandson. The biggest excitement was seeing the trees at Willow Creek campground that Palmer had planted himself 60 years ago.

"We could see for miles," Palmer said.