The 9 Best Mountains to Climb in Montana: Hikes to Technical Peaks
Montana’s mountain progression starts with city-accessible summits in Missoula
and Helena, moves into high alpine hikes in the Bridger and Bitterroot ranges,
then changes character completely in Glacier National Park and the Beartooths.
At the top of the ladder is Granite Peak: a remote state high point with
serious alpine rock, snow and multi-day wilderness logistics.
For an accessible first summit, choose Mount Sentinel in Missoula
or Mount Helena. For a bigger but still nontechnical alpine day,
move to Sacagawea Peak near Bozeman or Trapper Peak in the Bitterroots.
Glacier National Park raises the difficulty through route finding and exposed
scrambling on Reynolds Mountain and Mount Siyeh. Mount Cleveland adds genuine wilderness commitment. Granite Peak is the endpoint of this list—not because it is simply
the highest, but because its normal climbing lines require the strongest combination
of alpine movement, route judgment and multi-day logistics.
One outlier: Lone Peak is included because it is one of Montana’s iconic high summits,
but the Big Sky tram can turn the summit into a scenic-access experience.
A tram ride and a self-powered alpine ascent are not the same accomplishment.
Granite PeakMontana state high point
Trapper PeakBitterroot Range high point
Mt. ClevelandHighest peak in Glacier NP
Jul–SepCore high-alpine window
Choose by objective
Four Montana Mountain Experiences.
Start with the kind of mountain day you want,
then choose the summit whose terrain matches your current ability.
First summit
Mount Sentinel
The most convenient mountain on this list: a trail-accessed summit
directly above Missoula and a strong introduction to Montana vertical gain.
Best high hike
Trapper Peak
A steep wilderness ascent to the highest summit in the Bitterroot Range,
with real alpine scenery but without mandatory technical climbing.
Best Glacier scramble
Mount Siyeh
Serious off-trail alpine terrain above Going-to-the-Sun Road,
with route finding and Class 2–3 scrambling that can reach Class 4.
Ultimate Montana project
Granite Peak
Montana’s state high point combines a long wilderness approach
with exposed alpine rock and a consequential summit-day descent.
Nine mountains side by side
Montana Mountain Comparison.
Difficulty is based on the route described here—not every possible line
on each mountain.
Mountain
Elevation
Area
Route style
Difficulty
Best for
Mount Sentinel
5,158 ft
Missoula
Maintained hiking trail
Class 1
First Montana summit
Mount Helena
5,468 ft
Helena
City trail network
Class 1
Short capital-city climb
Sacagawea Peak
9,650 ft
Bridger Range
Steep alpine hike
Class 1–2
Bozeman-area summit day
Trapper Peak
10,157 ft
Bitterroot Range
Steep trail + cairned alpine terrain
Strenuous hike
Wilderness high point
Reynolds Mountain
9,125 ft
Glacier NP
Off-trail alpine scramble
Class 2–3
First Glacier summit scramble
Mount Siyeh
10,019 ft
Glacier NP
South Slope / off-trail
Class 2–3, possible Class 4
Experienced scramblers
Lone Peak
11,166 ft
Big Sky
Tram-assisted summit option
Scenic access / route-dependent
High summit experience
Mount Cleveland
10,466 ft
Glacier NP
Remote off-trail alpine climb
Advanced
Remote Glacier objective
Granite Peak
12,799 ft*
Beartooth Mountains
Multi-day alpine mountaineering
Class 4 / low-5th depending route
Experienced alpine climbers
*12,799 ft is the traditional USGS-topographic elevation commonly used for Granite Peak.
Some modern elevation datasets publish slightly different values.
Bitterroot Mountains
Trapper Peak Fills the Missing Middle of the Montana Progression.
Montana climbers do not have to jump directly from a city hiking trail
to exposed Glacier scrambling. Trapper Peak offers a steep, strenuous
10,000-foot wilderness summit where endurance and mountain navigation matter
before technical climbing becomes the main problem.
Accessible summits
1–3. Sentinel, Helena & Sacagawea.
These three are hiking objectives rather than mountaineering routes,
but each offers a useful step in Montana mountain progression.
1 · Missoula
Mount Sentinel
The famous “M” route climbs directly from the University of Montana side
of Missoula. Many hikers stop at the M; continuing upward reaches
the actual summit and turns a short landmark walk into a more substantial climb.
Best for: first summit, fitness days and visitors
who want a mountain directly from town.
2 · Helena
Mount Helena
The City of Helena maintains a network of routes to the summit,
including the popular 1906 Trail. The standard summit trip is a genuine
hike but remains accessible enough for a half-day outing.
Best for: a short summit while visiting Montana’s capital.
3 · Bridger Range
Sacagawea Peak
From Fairy Lake, the common out-and-back is roughly 4–5 miles round trip
with about 2,000 feet of climbing. It reaches the highest summit
in the Bridger Range without requiring technical equipment.
Best for: fit hikers wanting a high alpine summit near Bozeman.
Summit10,157 ft
RangeBitterroot Mountains
StyleSteep wilderness hike
SeasonSummer–early fall
4 · Trapper Peak
Montana’s Best Big Nontechnical Wilderness Summit
Trapper Peak is the highest summit in the Bitterroot Range at 10,157 feet.
The Forest Service describes Trail 133 as steep and strenuous.
Above the wilderness boundary the tread becomes indistinct,
with cairns helping guide the upper approach.
This makes Trapper an excellent bridge between maintained hiking trails
and the more complicated off-trail terrain found on Glacier National Park peaks.
There is no water along the route, and lingering snow can change the upper climb
early in the season.
Why it replaces Pilot Peak: Trapper is actually in Montana, fits the nontechnical alpine progression,
and represents an important mountain range missing from the old list.
!
Geography correction
Why Pilot Peak Is No Longer on This Montana List.
Pilot Peak is commonly photographed from the Beartooth Highway and is strongly
associated with the Cooke City/Beartooth travel corridor, but the summit itself
is in Wyoming. Its easiest established alpine line is also not
a Class 3 walk-up: the Southwest Face is generally rated around 5.7 technical rock climbing.
It remains an outstanding Greater Yellowstone climbing objective.
It simply does not belong in a list of Montana summits.
Glacier National Park
Glacier Is Where Montana Hiking Turns Into Route Finding.
Reynolds and Siyeh are not maintained summit trails.
Once the approach trail is left behind,
climbers are responsible for selecting a safe line through layered rock,
talus and exposed alpine terrain.
Glacier progression
5–6. Reynolds Mountain & Mount Siyeh.
Both begin from the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor,
but Siyeh represents the larger and more consequential day.
5 · Logan Pass area
Reynolds Mountain
Reynolds is a logical first Glacier summit for hikers ready to leave
maintained trail. The upper mountain requires route selection,
loose-rock awareness and exposed scrambling rather than simply following signs.
Best for: a first Glacier National Park summit scramble
after hikers already have off-trail alpine experience.
6 · Siyeh Bend
Mount Siyeh
The South Slope is primarily Class 2–3 when the correct line is found,
but a poor choice through the diorite sill can introduce Class 4 climbing.
Route finding—not just physical fitness—is therefore part of the grade.
Best for: experienced scramblers ready for a long,
off-trail Glacier summit with meaningful exposure.
2026 Glacier correction: vehicle reservations are not required anywhere in Glacier National Park this year.
During summer, Logan Pass used a three-hour parking system and ticketed shuttle;
both ended after September 7. Current access is first-come, first-served
until the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road closes for winter.
Big Sky
Lone Peak Is the List’s Special Case.
The summit is a legitimate 11,166-foot Montana landmark,
but Big Sky’s gondola-and-tram system can deliver visitors directly to the summit area.
Treat that as scenic high-mountain access—not as equivalent to climbing the peak from below.
7 · Madison Range
Lone Peak: Summit Experience or Climb?
Decide which version you mean before comparing Lone Peak with the other eight mountains.
Scenic version
Gondola + Lone Peak Tram
Big Sky Resort’s 2026 summer scenic lifts operated from
June 13 through September 13.
The Explorer Gondola and Lone Peak Tram provide direct access to
the 11,166-foot summit area and Kircliff observatory.
As of September 21, that summer operation has ended for the season.
Check the resort’s current operating calendar before planning around lift access.
Self-powered version
Route-Dependent Alpine Ascent
A self-powered Lone Peak ascent is a completely different objective
from stepping out of the tram.
Route choice, seasonal resort policies, snow and exposed terrain
determine what equipment and experience are appropriate.
Do not use tram pricing or tram access as a climbing-route description.
Northern Glacier wilderness
Mount Cleveland Adds Commitment Before It Adds Elevation.
At about 10,466 feet, Cleveland is far lower than Granite Peak,
yet its remote location near the Canadian border means approach planning,
backcountry camping, weather and route finding become central parts of the climb.
Summit~10,466 ft
ParkGlacier National Park
RolePark high point
CommitmentRemote / often multi-day
8 · Mount Cleveland
Glacier National Park’s Highest Summit
NPS identifies Mount Cleveland as Glacier National Park’s highest peak
at approximately 10,466 feet.
The appeal is not a convenient trailhead-to-summit statistic:
Cleveland sits in the park’s far northern wilderness,
where reaching the mountain can be as consequential as the upper climbing.
Parties using an overnight backcountry itinerary need a Glacier wilderness permit.
That permit is for camping—not a special summit-climbing permit.
This is not the place to learn exposed scrambling. Build route finding and alpine movement on lower-commitment objectives
before combining those skills with remote northern Glacier logistics.
Beartooth Mountains
Granite Peak Is Not a Bigger Version of the Earlier Hikes.
Somewhere between Trapper Peak and Granite Peak,
the problem changes from hiking endurance to alpine mountaineering.
Climbers need movement skills, route judgment and descent systems
appropriate to the line they choose.
9 · Montana state high point
Granite Peak: The Technical End of the Montana List.
Granite’s difficulty cannot be captured by calling the entire mountain “Class 4.”
Route choice changes the technical problem.
Approach
Multi-Day Wilderness
Common approaches involve substantial backpacking through the
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness before the summit route begins.
Summit terrain
Exposed Alpine Rock
The mountain’s popular lines include serious scrambling,
low-5th-class climbing on some variations, loose rock,
rappels and seasonally persistent snow.
Progression
Not a First Technical Peak
Arrive with mountain movement, route finding and descent skills
already established rather than treating Granite as a place to learn them.
Elevation Is Only One Reason Granite Peak Is Serious.
Montana’s high point combines wilderness distance,
unstable mountain weather and upper-route technical terrain.
Those factors explain why its preparation looks more like alpine climbing
than ordinary state-highpoint hiking.
Historic USFS image · public domain
2026 access rules
What Montana Climbers Need to Know Right Now.
Montana’s nine peaks cross city parks, national forests,
a national park and a private resort.
There is no single statewide permit rule.
Glacier vehiclesNo vehicle reservation is required anywhere in Glacier in 2026.
Logan PassThe 2026 timed-parking and ticketed-shuttle pilot ended September 8.
Glacier campingAll overnight wilderness camping requires a wilderness use permit.
Day scramblingReynolds and Siyeh do not need an overnight permit when completed as legal day trips.
Big Sky tram2026 summer scenic operations ended September 13.
Trapper PeakForest-road and trail conditions are seasonal; verify Bitterroot NF access.
Granite PeakNo ordinary summit permit; wilderness rules and current access still apply.
Road statusGoing-to-the-Sun Road and high forest roads can close with snow before the calendar says winter.
Bear country
Carry Bear Spray—But Describe the Rule Correctly.
Montana mountain safety includes wildlife awareness,
especially in Glacier and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems.
Recommended
Carry Bear Spray
Glacier National Park tells hikers to carry bear spray
and know how to deploy it. Keep it accessible,
not buried inside the pack.
Avoidance
Make Your Presence Known
Make noise around blind corners, dense vegetation and loud water,
where bears may have less opportunity to detect an approaching hiker.
Language matters
Recommended ≠ Legally Required
Bear spray is essential practical safety equipment in much of Montana,
but ordinary hikers should not be told there is a universal Montana law
requiring every climber to carry it.
When to climb
Montana Has Several Mountain Seasons.
The best date for Sentinel is not the best date for Granite Peak.
Spring
Low Peaks First
Sentinel and Helena can become usable while the high ranges
are still snow-covered and forest roads remain closed.
Early summer
Snow Changes the Grade
Sacagawea, Trapper and Glacier scrambles may still hold snow
that changes an ordinary hiking or scrambling line.
July–August
Core Alpine Window
This is the central season for most of the high peaks,
but afternoon thunderstorms, heat and wildfire smoke can still remove summit windows.
September
Excellent but Shortening
Cool stable days can be superb,
but first snow and seasonal road or resort closures begin reducing access.
Statewide orientation
Montana’s Mountain Regions.
This list stretches from Glacier National Park in the northwest
to the Beartooths beside Yellowstone,
with city-accessible peaks and high wilderness ranges between them.
Missoula / BitterrootsMount Sentinel plus Trapper Peak farther south near Darby.
HelenaMount Helena offers the easiest capital-city access on the list.
Bozeman / BridgersSacagawea Peak gives a quick step into high alpine terrain.
Big SkyLone Peak combines resort infrastructure with an 11,000-foot summit.
Glacier National ParkReynolds, Siyeh and Cleveland create a scramble-to-wilderness progression.
Beartooth MountainsGranite Peak is Montana’s high point and the technical apex of this list.
Direct search answers
Montana Mountain Climbing FAQ.
Quick answers for choosing between hiking,
scrambling and technical Montana objectives.
What is the best mountain to climb in Montana?
It depends on experience. Mount Sentinel is a strong first summit,
Trapper Peak is an excellent strenuous wilderness hike,
Mount Siyeh is a major Glacier National Park scramble,
and Granite Peak is Montana’s defining technical state-highpoint objective.
What is the highest mountain in Montana?
Granite Peak in the Beartooth Mountains is Montana’s state high point.
Traditional USGS topographic sources list it at 12,799 feet,
while some newer elevation datasets publish slightly different values.
What is the highest mountain in Glacier National Park?
Mount Cleveland is the highest summit in Glacier National Park.
The National Park Service currently lists it at approximately 10,466 feet.
Is Pilot Peak in Montana?
No. Pilot Peak is closely associated with the Beartooth Highway and Cooke City area,
but its summit is in Wyoming. Its standard Southwest Face is also technical rock climbing
around 5.7 rather than a Montana Class 3 hiking objective.
What is the best beginner mountain in Montana?
Mount Sentinel and Mount Helena are the most accessible mountains on this list.
Both use established trail systems and can be climbed without technical mountaineering equipment
in normal snow-free conditions.
What is a good mountain near Bozeman?
Sacagawea Peak is a strong choice.
The common Fairy Lake route is roughly 4–5 miles round trip with about 2,000 feet of gain
and reaches the highest summit in the Bridger Range.
Does Glacier National Park require a vehicle reservation in 2026?
No. Glacier National Park does not require vehicle reservations anywhere in the park in 2026.
The summer Logan Pass ticketed-shuttle and three-hour parking experiment ended after September 7.
Always check current road status because seasonal closures are separate from vehicle reservations.
Do I need a permit to climb Mount Cleveland?
There is no separate Mount Cleveland summit permit.
However, all overnight wilderness camping inside Glacier National Park requires a wilderness use permit,
so most multi-day Cleveland itineraries need one.
Is bear spray required when hiking in Montana?
Glacier National Park strongly recommends carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.
It is important practical safety equipment in grizzly habitat,
but there is not a universal Montana rule requiring every ordinary hiker to carry bear spray.
When is the best time to climb Granite Peak?
Mid- to late summer is the normal planning window for most standard Granite Peak attempts.
Snow, thunderstorms, route condition and wildfire smoke can change the appropriate dates,
so use current route and weather information rather than the calendar alone.
Continue planning
Put Montana Into the Larger U.S. Mountain System.
Use the statewide guide to choose the objective,
then move into the dedicated mountain or national planning page.
Last researched: September 21, 2026.
Seasonal roads, wildfire closures, trail conditions and snow can change quickly.
Check the appropriate land manager again immediately before each climb.
Montana progression
Choose a Montana Mountain Climb That Matches Your Skills
Build mountain fitness on Sentinel, Helena and Sacagawea.
Add wilderness scale on Trapper Peak.
Develop route finding on Reynolds and Siyeh.
Learn remote commitment before Mount Cleveland.
Move to Granite Peak only when its alpine terrain is the next logical application
of skills you already possess.
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Montana Mountains: From the Beartooths to Glacier National Park
Montana is home to
rugged Rocky Mountain
ranges, glaciated
valleys, extensive
wilderness and
isolated mountain
ranges that rise
above open prairie.
Granite Peak in the Beartooth
Mountains is
Montana’s highest
mountain at approximately 12,807 feet.
It is a serious
mountaineering objective
requiring technical
scrambling skills
on its commonly
climbed routes.
Other celebrated
Montana mountain
regions include
Glacier National Park,
the Bitterroot Range,
the Bridger Mountains,
the Madison Range,
and the Crazy Mountains.
The important distinction
is that Montana
offers many different
mountain experiences,
from accessible
day hikes to
remote technical
wilderness climbs.
GraniteMontana’s highest mountain
12 RangesFeatured below
10 PeaksIn the main mountain ranking
Alpine scenery in
the Beartooth Mountains,
Montana. Global Summit
Guide media library.
Montana Mountain Geography
12 Major Mountain Ranges in Montana
Montana has many more
mountain ranges than
those listed here.
These twelve prominent
ranges illustrate
the state’s geographic
and climbing diversity.
#
Mountain Range
General Location
Representative Peak
Mountain Character
1
Beartooth Mountains
South-central Montana
Granite Peak
Highest Montana peaks and remote alpine terrain
2
Absaroka Range
South-central Montana / Wyoming
Mount Cowen
Rugged volcanic mountain landscapes
3
Lewis Range
Glacier National Park region
Mount Cleveland
Large relief, steep limestone and argillite mountains
4
Livingston Range
Northwestern Montana
Kintla Peak
Remote high country near Glacier National Park
5
Bitterroot Range
Western Montana / Idaho
Trapper Peak
Granite mountains, high lakes and wilderness
6
Bridger Range
Near Bozeman
Sacajawea Peak
Accessible ridges and dramatic valley views
7
Madison Range
Southwestern Montana
Hilgard Peak
Remote high alpine summits and technical terrain
8
Crazy Mountains
Near Big Timber
Crazy Peak
Isolated rugged mountains rising above the plains
9
Mission Range
Western Montana
McDonald Peak
Steep alpine mountains and significant tribal land access considerations
10
Cabinet Mountains
Northwestern Montana
Snowshoe Peak
Forested wilderness and rugged high terrain
11
Gallatin Range
Southwestern Montana / Yellowstone region
Electric Peak
Mountain hiking and wildlife-rich backcountry
12
Anaconda Range
Southwestern Montana
West Goat Peak
Remote peaks within the Anaconda-Pintler wilderness region
Mountain range versus peak: Granite Peak is a
single mountain in
the Beartooths;
the Beartooths are
one mountain range. The Absaroka-Beartooth
Wilderness protects
terrain in both
the Absaroka and
Beartooth mountain
systems. The two
names should not
be treated as
a single individual
mountain range.
The best region depends
on your experience,
preferred scenery,
available time and
willingness to travel
into remote terrain.
South-Central Montana
Beartooth Mountains
Ideal for experienced
backpackers and climbers
seeking high-elevation
alpine landscapes.
Granite Peak and
Tempest Mountain
are serious remote
mountaineering objectives.
Best for spectacular
alpine scenery,
established park
trails and,
for experienced
mountaineers,
demanding off-trail
peaks such as
Mount Siyeh and
Mount Cleveland.
The Bridger Range
offers a practical
starting point for
hikers building
alpine fitness,
with accessible
mountain trails
and significant
elevation gain.
The Crazies
offer striking
isolation and
impressive relief
above surrounding
plains. Access
requires careful
attention to
public and
private land
boundaries.
Granite Peak stands
at approximately
12,807 feet,
making it the
highest mountain
in Montana.
The mountain
lies within
the Beartooths
and is widely
regarded as
one of the
most demanding
U.S. state
highpoint objectives.
Its commonly used
routes require
sustained mountain
travel, exposed
scrambling, careful
route-finding and
the ability
to make sound
weather decisions.
Granite Peak
is not an
appropriate beginner
summit simply
because its
elevation is
lower than
Colorado’s 14ers.
Elevation note: The Montana State
Library’s older
USGS-derived table
lists Granite Peak
at 12,799 feet,
while 12,807 feet
is commonly used
in modern
mountaineering references.
Elevation figures
can differ by
survey source.
Granite Peak, Montana.
Global Summit Guide media library.
Montana Mountain Planning
What Should You Know Before Climbing in Montana?
Weather and Season
Summer Isn’t Always Snow-Free
High peaks can
hold snow into
summer. Afternoon
thunderstorms and
changing weather
make early starts
and flexible
itineraries important.
Wildlife
Grizzly Bear Country
Many Montana
mountain regions
contain grizzly
habitat. Learn
current bear-safety
guidance and
follow local
food-storage
regulations.
Permits and Land Access
Rules Vary by Region
National parks,
wilderness areas,
national forests,
tribal lands
and private
access corridors
have different
restrictions.
Important: The existence of
a mountain trail
or published climbing
route does not
guarantee public
access across
every section.
Verify trailheads,
closures and
legal access
with the appropriate
land manager.
Montana Mountains FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest mountain in Montana?
Granite Peak
in the
Beartooth Mountains
is Montana’s
highest mountain,
commonly listed
at approximately
12,807 feet.
Which mountain ranges are in Montana?
Prominent examples
include the
Beartooth,
Absaroka,
Bitterroot,
Lewis,
Livingston,
Bridger,
Madison,
Crazy,
Mission,
Cabinet,
Gallatin
and Anaconda
ranges.
Are the Rocky Mountains in Montana?
Yes. Much
of western
Montana lies
within the
northern Rocky
Mountain region,
with many
distinct ranges
and subranges.
What mountains are near Bozeman?
Bozeman is
near the
Bridger,
Gallatin
and Madison
mountain ranges.
The best
hiking destination
depends on
the season
and route.
Continue Your Mountain Research
Find the Montana Mountain That Matches Your Experience.
Montana offers
everything from
accessible mountain
hiking to serious
multi-day alpine
expeditions.
Use the
ten-mountain ranking
in this article
for specific
summit choices.
Then compare
nearby states
and training
requirements.
Global Summit Guide is an independent mountaineering resource founded in 2026. The team combines first-hand trekking and climbing experience with in-depth research and professional health and nutrition review to help climbers choose objectives, prepare properly, and stay safe.
Travis LudlowFounder & Head of Research · Master's in Business
Dawson LudlowClimbing & Mountaineering Lead
Walker LudlowClimber & Contributor
Health, altitude, and nutrition content is reviewed by Taylor Ludlow (Registered Nurse) and Brigg Hoopes (Nutritionist).
?
What We Don't Know Yet
Mountain information changes quickly. This box explains the limits of what this page can responsibly promise.
Visa, passport, vaccination, border, insurance, and local transportation rules may change before your trip.
Route conditions, snowpack, closures, and weather can change quickly after this page is updated.
Permit rules, fees, quotas, and reservation windows may change between review cycles.
Operator availability, pricing, guide ratios, and cancellation terms can change by season.
Your fitness, altitude response, risk tolerance, and experience level may change what is safe or realistic.
Confidence: Medium
Verify current conditions with official land managers, guide services, local forecasts, and current route reports before booking or climbing.
Safety, medical & liability disclaimer
Mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, glacier travel, and high-altitude activity are inherently dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. The information on Global Summit Guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional instruction, qualified guiding, proper equipment, or your own judgment and experience.
Route conditions, weather, snowpack, permits, regulations, and hazards change constantly and may differ from what is described here. Details may be incomplete, out of date, or contain errors. Always verify current information with local authorities, certified guides, and official sources before making any decision in the mountains.
Nothing on this site is medical, legal, or financial advice. Our fitness, acclimatization, altitude, and nutrition content is general in nature; consult a qualified physician before beginning any strenuous exercise program or exposing yourself to high altitude.
You are solely responsible for your own safety and decisions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Global Summit Guide and its team accept no liability for any loss, injury, damage, or expense arising from use of, or reliance on, this information. By using this site you acknowledge these risks and accept these terms.
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Global Summit Guide recommendation path
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