We were contracted by the National Bison Range. They wanted us to clear game trails that the bison use so wranglers on horseback can drive bison to new grazing areas and down the mountain to the tagging and testing pens.
As we arrived at the Range, we had an overwhelming feeling that we had just entered Jurassic Park. Herds of elk and deer, both whitetail and mule, pronghorn and bison, all of epic proportions, were around every bend in the road. We had entered a truly wild place, and we all knew it. The National Bison Range is home to a herd of between three and five hundred bison, depending on the time of year. We took a break to stretch our legs from the drive and meet our sponsors at the Visitor's Center where we had a chance to look around and learn more about the area and the animals that resided there. Tim, our project sponsor/liaison, and Pat Jamieson of the NBR addressed questions of ours and took the chance to give us the details of our project. They lined us out on where we were to clear trails and the importance of clearing the most heavily used trails first because the wranglers were going to be herding the bison toward the end of the week while we were working on clearing other trails.
A week of meticulous chainsaw training earlier in the month ensured that we were all well mentally prepared for the work we would be doing. We collected our chainsaws, equipment, and other tools, gassed up and hit the trail. We soon found out that not only were the animals of monstrous size and numbers, but so were the ticks. The Jurassic Park ticks attempted to consume us whole, but we were indomitable. We quickly became accustomed to tick checks throughout our breaks and continued clearing these thick bison trails relentlessly. Almost every afternoon we were hit with precipitation of some sort, ranging from rain to snow, even gropple, which we dubbed Dippin' Dots. It made for an incredible scene in this wild place, but it never lasted long enough to drag down our high spirits. High winds made for difficult communication while running chainsaws, but we managed to work through the challenge and use our true inner chainsaw voices.
Morning stretch/safety circles were full of funny questions and stretches. Bruce had tucked his pant legs into his socks to prevent ticks from entering, and he had done such a good job that he was unable to do the sumo stretch. One morning the question for the group was, "What is your favorite smell?” When my turn to answer and request a stretch came, I said the "dirty old man." I meant a stretch that we had dubbed "the dirty old man", but everyone broke out laughing thinking that was my favorite smell. Rather than let them down by denying it, I rolled with it, claiming it as my stretch and my answer.
A bunkhouse with all the amenities we could hope for housed most of our crew, while others chose to camp out in the pristine location of the Bison Range campground. Our evenings were full of music. The nightly jam sessions included a minimum of four guitars and a banjo, a plethora of harmonicas and friends/crewmates eager to sing along. Most notably was the Wagonwheel sneak attack, where nearly our whole crew quietly approached our crewmate, Mack's, tent to play and sing their hearts out when he retired for the evening. Mack hates Wagonwheel, and even so, he claimed that it made his night. The meals that the crew prepared were fit for kings (and queens, of course). Venison stew, famous grilled cheese, and other amazing meals that I couldn't name but also couldn't forget.
When the week ended, we all felt that we had accomplished a great amount. We bonded as friends and also as a cohesive working community. The music will not be forgotten, but will continue on and become even better. The standard for meals was set, and we can all only hope that our own abilities and recipes will live up to the precedent. The animals we had the chance of viewing were incredible and numerous, and only the beginning of what we are sure to see throughout the season. The trails we cleared will be appreciated by few, only the wranglers and the wildlife will use them, but they are sure to be pleased with the improvement we were able to be a part of. If that is not enough, the astonishing views of the Mission mountains in the changing skies will be with us in memory forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment