"The Stack" Anaconda, Montana

[onekatietwo]

My home state, Montana, doesn't seem to have a whole lot to its name. So, when it does find something to be proud about, it holds on to it as tightly as it can. A demonstration of this fact can be seen on the horizon of Anaconda, Montana where an abandoned smoke stack towers over the foot hills, interrupting the landscape proudly like a giant middle finger to the environment. The smelter which once employed 'the stack' was demolished in the 80's and the stack was going to go with it. However, the folks of Anaconda didn't want to see their beloved stack die with the mining operations and they came together in a glorious display of passion and love and saved the stack from demolition.
Their efforts were rewarded and the stack is now a state park. Unfortunately, the area around the park has been found to be slightly poisonous and toxic. It's full of arsenic and other wonderful things. Thus, the park may only be viewed (and not entered) from a less toxic viewing area that is situated in the center of the town. Just as well, I like my parks best when I'm not allowed to enter them for fear of poisoning.

It is, undeniably, quite an impressive structure. I've read that the Washington monument could fit nicely inside of it. It is also the tallest free-standing masonry structure in the world and was the largest masonry structure of any kind at the time that it was built.

Last year, my friend and I took a Montana road trip and passed through this quirky little town and couldn't resist spending a night there and exploring. We couldn't accept the fact that we weren't allowed to visit this beloved structure and admire it from up close, so we paid a visit to the arcade/pizza place to check with some local kids. They informed us that there was a trail that would eventually lead to 'The Stack' just behind the courthouse. If we were careful about it, we could probably get to the structure with no problem.

Well, it was quite the hike, but we didn't encounter any authorities and strolled right over a couple mountains and then scrambled up a fairly steep, barren hill up to the stack. It was EXTREMELY windy, horribly cold, and the land was completely barren. Rumor has it that it has something to do with the arsenic that saturates the area but, psh, come on, doesn't that make plants just grow stronger and faster?

The whole thing seems really absurd to me. Anyway, here are a few pictures, if you're interested. It really is very awe inspiring.

[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/390001057_0d44248e74.jpg[/img]
You can see my friend on the left there, for scale.

[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/135/390007035_03b2a65f33.jpg[/img]

[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/394958445_ca03e4c19b.jpg[/img]

and if you're REALLY into it (which you should be. It's maybe the coolest, most amazing thing ever), here are some more:
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliche/391859059/[/url]
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliche/390000883/[/url]
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliche/390000524/[/url]

In some of the hi-res versions of the photos, you can see a latter mounted on the side. The bottom few rungs have been removed, but it appears to go all the way up to the top. We talked to a few locals who made claims of having witnessed friends climbing all the way to the top and sitting on the edge. I don't know if it's believable, though. A fall would certainly be lethal and the wind would was enough to easily throw your balance off. What do ya think?

I'd recommend the toxic hike to anybody!

[Lobo]

That is one of the coolest things I have ever seen...I think it is beautiful in its own way,it shows the heart of american industry.
That is what this great nation was founded on.

[onekatietwo]

I guess I didn't really think of it that way, but it definitely was one of the cooler things that I've experienced. It was especially awe inspiring standing right next to it with the ridiculous wind and the view of the little town. It was fun trying to imagine it pumping out tons and tons of gases. I wonder if it was really loud...
Man, I'd like to see what it was like when the smelter was still operating.

[Lobo]

[quote="onekatietwo"]I guess I didn't really think of it that way, but it definitely was one of the cooler things that I've experienced. It was especially awe inspiring standing right next to it with the ridiculous wind and the view of the little town. It was fun trying to imagine it pumping out tons and tons of gases. I wonder if it was really loud...
Man, I'd like to see what it was like when the smelter was still operating.[/quote]


Yeah can you just imagine the felling,the sounds,the smells. God that would have been awesome.
Now dont get me wrong I dont agree with the tons and tons of polution spilling out of something like this...but just think of the magnificence this must have had.
You must feel like your on top of the world when up there.

[batcave]

That is One of the coolest things i have ever seen

[james in erie pa]

The stack is listed as "one" of the tallest freestanding brick structures in the world. That's another good show idea...tall things. I've seen the TV towers in North Dakota that (at least one time) were the tallest guyed towers in the world. Glass floors in these tall things are also pretty cool...i.e. the glass floor in the CN tower in Toronto Canada.

[onekatietwo]

[quote="james in erie pa"]The stack is listed as "one" of the tallest freestanding brick structures in the world. [/quote]

Huh. Really? Well, don't tell the Anacondans that. They definitely seem to be under the impression that it is THE tallest freestanding brick structures in the world. I think they wanted to go for 'the tallest brick structure in the world' but were forced to add 'freestanding'. It would break their little hearts to see 'one' go before that.

[james in erie pa]

We have a large stack here in town in front of the beautiful library, not connected to anything. Ours isn't anywhere near as picturesque. Someone thought it would be a good idea to save it, but it is just waiting to fall and destroy a few cars.