Shifting Seasons

/in , , , /by

Gavin Hess in the Tetons – March 2020

As March brought around a global shift with the stay-at-home orders associated with the arrival of COVID-19 , most of our lives changed significantly. And, the end of my winter guiding brought some time to reflect on what was a great season on many levels. Though all my spring trips and work were canceled, I was able to pursue some beautiful days in the mountains working on other projects and spending more time with friends in our ranch quarantine circle.

It was very rewarding to see my friends and clients rise to significant challenges this season. One of my favorite days was taking a group of 3 women from my weekly “momforce” group to ski a classic steep couloir in the Tetons. One step at a time and one turn at a time, each woman rose to the occasion and finished the day as a stronger person than when she had started.

Karissa Akin in the Son of Apocalypse Couloir

Since my guide trips to Norway with Ice Axe Expeditions were canceled, I found April and May shifting into a different focus. This spring, a small group of us, with careful social distancing standards in play, worked on a film project — gathering ski footage in particular — for a short film to be produced and released this fall. Outside of some personal, conservative ski time, my family and quarantine circle have been working hard on the ranch.

We are getting things cleaned up with all of our outbuildings, fencing, etc, and training some of the newer, younger horses for our pack trip season ahead –

www.pendergraftoutfitters.com.

While the future is uncertain, we will make the best of our time in the hills with our guests (hopefully) and/or without. And, I am looking forward to this spring and summer with my family on horseback, on foot, and on the rock.

Maria Damon on Cream Puff Peak, Gros Ventre Wilderness

Peter Linn on ski patrol duty – pc: Bobby G

Togwotee Pass – Gavin Hess – ski film project

Morgan McGlashon on Ferry Peak, Palisade Wilderness – ski film project

Heading out from Pendergraft

Pete and Charlie (and mom) heading home from Pendergraft Camp – 2019

Mountains and Mustangs

/in , , , , /by

Sunset Lake – Jedediah Smith Wilderness

Spring has arrived in the Tetons. With these longer days and more sunshine, my family starts looking toward the summer and our Outfitting season ahead. Preparations are extensive — organizing and evaluating all the tack, gear, as well as managing horses and training new staff in operations. Managing 50 animals and multiple humans is a busy business so focus turns to logistics and preparation as soon as possible.

Hidden Coral – South Bitch Creek   — (Charlie on Magpie)

Last year, we acquired a new camp up in the Teton Wilderness in Pendergraft Meadows. Pete took trips through the camp and also had some teams do trail clearing and camp work but this year is the first season launching official trips into that area, in addition to our permits on the west side of the Tetons. www.pendergraftoutfitters.com.

Charlie, our daughter, and I headed in for 9 days last season. She was 2 and loved every minute of this beautiful spot, which we think is perhaps one of the most gorgeous camps in WY and the US. It is a stunning 17 mile ride (or walk) in and exceptional every step of the way.

Pendergraft Camp:

  

For our now 2.5 year old daughter, we just bought a 17 year old Icelandic pony so that she and I can get in and out of the camps more easily (less load for mama) in order to spend some time with papa and clients and friends throughout the summer. Pack tripping is a family/friend affair and a wonderful way to gather with your tribe and get deep into the wilderness.

Linn Outfitters — We run both hiking assisted horse-pack trips as well as horseback riding trips. And, we offer hunting trips in the Fall to both the Darwin Ranch in the Gros Ventre and more rustic trips out to the Pendergraft Camp for two very different and exceptional hunting experiences.

Fall at the Darwin Ranch

 

Kids Pack Trip

 

In the last 8 years, we have been adopting American Mustangs from the Honor Farm in Riverton, WY. We have rescued 10 to-date and they have all proven hardy, reliable, and strong in the mountain environs. They thrive in the wilderness — it’s in their blood. The Honor Farm program is fantastic in that it helps rehabilitate the inmates as well as begins the training program for the wild horses. Last fall, we adopted 4, including my own horse, Bodhi (who joins Otter and Pingora), and Charlie’s future horse, Gypsy. With lots of love, kindness, and good training, these animals adapt quickly to the Outfitting program.

This spring, the BLM is offering $1,000 to anyone who can adopt an untrained mustang from their holding corrals. If you have the space, the skill, and the time, it is worth it. These horses are worth and they need good homes.

 

Hope you’ll consider joining our family in the mountains. As a 5th generation Outfitter, we offer truly unique pack trip experiences in the Tetons and beyond. We’d love to welcome you to our Wyoming tribe!