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Copyright 2008 Rocky Mountain Rider. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED. Reproduction of any editorial material, artwork and photos is
strictly forbidden without express written permission of the publisher.
For information about reprint rights, please contact the editor; editor@rockymountainrider.com.
January 2008 Issue
Smoky skies and cool weather didn’t keep the ladies of the Back
Country Horsemen of the Flathead out of the backcountry. They rode their
horses and led their pack horses and mules six miles into Spruce Park
Cabin on the Middle Fork of the
The Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead (BCHF) organized the
educational project to help their female members build confidence in their
own backcountry skills, rather than relying on male partners or friends.
Trailering, horse handling and safety, and packing skills were the focus
of the project. “We should be able to take care of ourselves in the
backcountry,” past President Deborah Schatz stresses, “and we are
teaching specific skills to do that.”
The ladies enjoyed the two-hour ride along the Big River Trail into
the Forest Service cabin, although the smoke from the Skyland Fire blocked
their views of the river. After reaching the cabin and enjoying a
delicious lunch of backcountry grilled cheese sandwiches, BCHF members
sorted all the items that needed to be packed out. These items included
two bear-proof ammo boxes for the food; two large propane tanks; trail
tools including pulaskis, hand saws, two five-foot crosscut saws, hardhats
and shovels; plus dufflebags with tents and personal gear of the nine
trail workers. Decisions were made regarding which items to manty and
which items to put in panniers, plus how to sling the loads on the pack
stock.
BCH members shared their knowledge and experience in packing and
backcountry travel. June Burgau demonstrated several different knots,
showing how to make mantying a load quicker and easier to tie and untie.
June also showed the ladies how to handle heavy loads with less lifting
and bending, making it easier for a smaller person to do the same amount
of work with less effort. “There are different ways of doing things,”
June explains to the women, “this is how I can handle a heavy load.”
June Burgau received her certificate as a Leave No Trace and Horse
Packing instructor from the
Deborah Schatz demonstrated how to pack sharp tools so that they
would not injure the stock or riders. She also discussed how to balance
loads of varying weights and sizes. “You will learn with experience how
to look at the loads and know if they will ride evenly down the trail,”
Deborah says. The Ladies Packing Project benefited both the
Back Country Horsemen members and the trail volunteers with the Bob
Marshall Wilderness Foundation. BCH members gained confidence and skills
they can use every time they visit the backcountry. The trail volunteers
saved valuable time and energy when heavy items like tools and food were
transported on horseback, instead of on their backs. And, best of all, our
backcountry trails received the necessary maintenance to keep them open
for all of us to use and enjoy. Copyright 2008 Rocky Mountain Rider. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any editorial material, artwork and photos is strictly forbidden without express written permission of the publisher. For information about reprint rights, please contact the editor; editor@rockymountainrider.com. |
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