High cirques and glacier-polished walls make Montana's tallest range a magnet for alpine climbers. For Montanans, the outdoors is less a hobby than a way of life.

The Beartooth Plateau holds Granite Peak, the state's highest summit at 12,807 feet.

What sets it apart

Approaches often require long hikes across boulder fields and snow. It is the kind of specific that turns a passing curiosity into a lasting fascination.

Short summer seasons mean climbers watch the weather closely.

Why it matters

Taken together, these threads say something about Montana itself — a state where the wild and the worked-over sit close together. Go prepared, respect the conditions, and Montana's backcountry will give back in kind.