2016 FUMLA Winter Camp

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2016 FUMLA Winter Camp.

Friday, January 29th, 2016

FUMLA Winter Camp

Photo by Terry Madden 

It was just past dusk when I arrived to the banks of the Charboneau Creek. I could see the faint glow of firelight in the outside camp and candlelight from the windows of the Lassey cabin. The ground was rather greasy under my moccasined feet due to the warmer than usual January temperatures.  

With my gear mantied up and worn on my back, I made my way down the hill. I could see that Paul and Dave F. had their camp up closer to the cabin, with the Madden camp set up more to the east and closer to the entering trail. Terry and Caleb greeted me and invited me to camp by them and to share their fire. It had been a while since our last meeting so it was good to see them again. They had a leen-to set up with lots of furs. I picked out a piece of high ground to the east of them where I dropped the manty pack and readied my beading. Terry offered me some roasted meat and potatoes that were left from their meal so that I wouldn't have to prepare a meal. I gladly accepted. Terry, Caleb and I talked for a while and then we made our way to the cabin.

Mark and Chris, members of the Canadien contingent had made it as well. Chris was playing a

Photo by Terry Madden

rather animated game of cribbage with Dave F, Paul and Graywolf (Bob S). I sat by the stove, rifle in hand, talking and listening to the fun going on around us. Chris offered us some Canadien cheddar. As she was drawing the small knife from the bag which contained the cheddar her finger was cut. In short order we had it sorted and the cribbage match continued.

After awhile we were all starting to feel drowsy so we decided to turn in. Terry, Caleb and I head back out to bedding. I was glad to have my new red wool flannel shirt with me. I kept on waking up throughout the night on the verge of shivering. I finally was aware that I wasn’t feeling all the weight of my blankets and buffalo robe on me. Reaching out with one hand I confirmed that a few layers had shifted completely off of me. I quickly remedied that, adjusting the bedding and began to slowly warm up. I woke up a few more times throughout the darkness.

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

FUMLA Winter Camp
It was starting to get light when I threw the canvas and blankets off the top of me. The skyline to the east was beautiful with the sun just coming up. I quickly donned my sky blue capot, bullet pouch and horn, grabbed my rifle, pulled on my gloves and began a scout of the east.

I hadn’t scouted this side of the creek before. It was still rather cool and the what was soggy ground yesterday was frozen and hard underneath my moccasined feet. In an area where part of the bank had sloughed off a few years before there was a large hole that some animal had claimed for a den, but what little sign that was left suggested it had not been used in quite some time.  I found rose hips as I followed the creek for awhile and stopped to repose briefly and take in the view.

After I returned the rest of the camp was up and about. I had brought a big bag of anasazi beans to share with the party. I had some blue check trade cloth so I made some bags to portion out the beans. Graywolf and Terry each got a bag.

Paul B. wanted to scout the area a bit later so he and I scouted even further to the east than I had gone before, reaching the boundary of the area. We found evidence of flooding from the previous spring. It was a nice walk.

Shortly after we had returned to the camp, Paul E. and Scott arrived and began to make their lean-to camp. We were now at the most people we’d had at a winter camp in some time.

Terry and Caleb welcomed me to use their fire again and I made rice with some of this year’s peppered deer breakfast sausage in my lidded copper kettle. We also added some

anasazi beans, some of my deer sausage and even a piece of rattlesnake (fringe from my leggins, due to a story from years past)  into their stew pot. All of the beans were eaten and none of us managed to find the piece of long leather fringe.

Dave E. arrived and made a little camp as well.

I roasted a set of ribs for everyone during the afternoon which were finished until the evening. We fired our rifles from the bank of the Charbonneau. Rod and his son did some shooting as well. It was his son’s first time and he did rather well. It was good to see the next generation enjoying the time with everyone and seeing a father teach his son.

As dark came on we congregated in the cabin. It was full due to how large the party had

grown today. Cribbage was played, the ribs were eaten, shrub and other libations were passed, pipes were let and laughter and conversations ensued to the flicker of candle and lantern light. Great conversations that let us all get to know each other more.  Alas, such moments like this must even end, and we began to turn in for the night.

Sunday, January 31st, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
I slept warmer last night, but was still cool. I need to make some winter mocs and blanket moc liners. I tried to get moving right away this morning. It was sure slow going. The coffee that Paul B. made sure felt good going down.

I didn’t take too much time to get my little camp mantied up and hiked out of the site and dropped it off at the truck. I then helped Terry and Caleb get their gear packed up as well.

Before we left we were able to get a sketch made of the crew that stayed last night. It was a good number of people for one of our winter camps. I got to know some of my friends more. I look forward to the next time.

Leifer

  

2015 FUMLA Winter Camp

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from FUMLA Winter Camp in January of 2015

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015    
     My daughter Signe came with me to winter camp. It was her turn. In preparation for what could be colder weather I made a small hooded capote from a drab blanket scraps with red melton welting. It’s big on both the girls so we should be able to get a few years use out of it for all three kids. I’d also made a small wolf eared cap from blanket scrap as well for Garrick that we brought along. Signe had her trade dress, mocs and wool leggings. She also had some additional clothing depending on how cold it got.
     It had been unseasonably warm all week so the ground was rather damp. In the past kids who were along for the camps at the cabin along Charbonneau Creek would sleep in the loft. I decided we would do that as well. Next time, provided it would be less wet, Signe and I would sleep outside.
     We met up with Taylor and he followed us to the site. This was his first time to winter camp.
     We arrived and hiked into the site. We found Rod, Dave F and Tod were there. Tod had

arrived several hours earlier and had set up a small fly for his camp.
     I unpacked the gear and got the loft situated for Signe and me. It had been some years since the loft had been slept in. There wasn’t a lot of room for me to move around due to my size so Signe was a big help in getting things laid out properly. Monk, one of our Canadien brethren, arrived a bit later.
     Amid the candle-light this evening I made a rabbit stew in my lidded copper trade kettle for Signe and myself. We had enough rabbit to let everyone try some. The general consensus was that it wasn’t all that bad. To my pallet it can have a flavor and texture similar to a thanksgiving turkey.
     Conversation this evening brought up memories of past winter camps and their discussion. Rod shared some recollections from a book written by Frank Linderman called “Montana Adventure.” Linderman had done some trapping in the 1880s or so in Montana and went on to be a state legislator. That was the first book of the evening that I decided I must add to my library being as I as well am a Montana boy. Another book that got brought up was “West of William H. Ashley.”  As I understand it is considered a great reference that one keeps going back to. This will also be added to my library.
     Discussion was also had on the Indian Wars as it is very applicable to this area, Fort Buford being not too far from where we were currently encamped.
     It had been a full day for me so after a while I climbed up into the loft with Signe, she to the inside and myself closest to the edge. After having been dozing for what I assume had been close to an hour I was awoken to Signe nudging me. “Daddy?” “What Signe.” “I have to go to the bathroom.” So much for having taken care of that before we went to bed.

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015         
     Slept fairly well during the night. Discovered Signe moves a lot in her sleep. She said she stayed warm. Rod was gone by the time we got up, off to take care of the cows. Breakfast was flatbread and cheese. Tod made some hominy with black walnuts that he shared with the party. It wasn’t bad. A found it to be a hearty meal.
     Taylor saw what was likely a large muskrat in the water and we clamored to see it from the steep bank. With the ground and snow melting a person had to be careful where they stepped lest they find themselves in the creek.

     It rained off and one later in the morning and afternoon. Despite that, Tod , Taylor and myself went off on a short scout to follow the creek and see what sign we could find, rifles in tow. I had brought along my single spring muskrat trap made by Allen Harrison. Rod had said that after he had gotten the beaver back in October that the muskrats had taken over.
     We found recent bird tracks in what was left of the snow and the mud. After some debate we concluded the particular bird was likely pheasant.  Came across some coon tracks as well. There was a place along the creek with bones spread out from a cow that had died probably a year past. Several places along the way we came to temporary streams from the melting snow that creative short “falls” down the bank that poured into the creek.
     My moccasins and feet were completely soaked and freezing. With addition of my wool leggings to my regular clothing, my legs and the rest of me was comfortably warm. I didn’t seem to notice my feet quite so much since the rest of me was fine. The leggings were doing their job well.
     Finally we made it to the dam. While there appeared to be some sign for muskrat, there

didn’t appear to be any recent enough sign to convince me to place my trap. Oh well. Another day. We decided take the overland route back to the site instead of following the creek back. Lots of good discussion and an enjoyable short scout.
     For lunch, more rabbit stew, and I set to roasting a rabbit leg. Kim arrive with Brynja to visit for a couple hours. This was their first time to the cabin. Brynja really like the rabbit.
     I started working on my version of the striped bag seen in AJ MILLER’s “Trappers Bride”. I was able to get red ticking, though, not quite the right material. I’ll try to find a better option later on. I will need to put a button on it and a strap at a later time. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.
     Mike Casler came for a spell as well. As I understand it has been some time since he had been out to the site. We all had some good conversation and then Tod, Mike and I conversed for a while. Mike talked to us about how his recent research had been coming along and some of the interesting things he’d discovered. ...
     ...Mike departed later. Kim did as well, taking Signe home with her. Signe was sad to leave. Now I have to find a time to take Garrick out with me.
     Tod and Taylor had to leave late afternoon.

     Rod returned as it was beginning to be dark. It had taken much longer than he had expected and said that they’d had problems with a cow.
     Supper was roasted beaver and roasted buffalo that I shared with what was left of our small party. Jerry Lassey stopped out for awhile, along with Briana, Christian and Anders.
     Played three games of cribbage with Dave F. It was good to play again. I won two of the three games. At the conclusion of the third game I crawled into my bedding, lulled by the candlelight, and slept.

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015
     I was up first this morning, followed by Rod. I had to leave right away this morning so I

mantied my gear and hiked it back to the truck, coming back a final time for my rifle, pouch and horn. I noticed that the creek was easily five to six feet higher this morning! It was a good thing I hadn’t set my muskrat trap! I would have going home without it if I had!
     I said goodbye to the party and hiked back to the truck. Rod was about to head out, too, to go check the cattle. We said our goodbyes and parted ways. I look forward to being out on the ground again this spring. 
-- Leifer

Signe

Pheasant tracks

The new cap works well

Two stews and a leg of rabbit

Dave Finders and Mark "Monk" Thorn

Signe opted to wear her boots

Snow runoff causing a small "fall" before draining into the creek

The bones

Working on the AJ Miller bag.
Photo by: Tod Fossetta

2014 FUMLA Winter Camp

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos and misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions  of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 FUMLA Winter Camp.

1/24/14
Friday – Winter Camp

     I arrived at camp later than I had wanted to. A situation at school put a couple hours behind schedule & I arrived to the site in the dark. The first thing I did was to pull out my fire kit I get the candle in my lantern lit with char cloth & some dead grass. I was greeted by Rod Lassey, Paul Bauer & David Finders. Rod had been roasting ribs on the fire & told me to help myself once I had my camp made. My camp was simple. I did not make a shelter. I found a spot between sagebrush & a pile of downed timber. I had brought with me my 10x10 ground canvas, ground roll & 12 blankets. Rod graciously lent me the use of a buffalo robe to put on top of everything & two hair on deer hides to insulate against the frozen ground. Paul also brought a heavy canvas to lay out on the ground first to guard against melting snow. All of the bedding was encased by the canvas. I lay on the bluff of the South bank of the Charbonnue Creek.
     The roasted ribs tasted great. After thing settled down the bottle was passed & Dave, Paul & I enjoyed a game of cribbage while Rod enjoyed his pipe. We were serious, we were jovial, we were happy. When it was time I got into my canvas wrapped bedding. It was very heavy on me. I slept for several hours & woke up, compelled by the excessive warmth of my bedding to strip down to my drawers.

1/25/14
     It was a balance of positioning my body around the lumps on the ground that I couldn’t see in the

My camp. Bedding wrapped in canvas

snow when I put my bedding down & pulling the groundcloth back to get sufficient air to sleep well. I also had to shed most of my clothing. About 4am I heard six or so coyotes howling.
     Around 7:30 am or so I awoke to the sound of sirens. I searched the horizon around me & saw a fire truck going down the highway & saw a sheriff’s vehicle parked marking an accident. I quickly dressed & sprinted to my truck to respond…
     …Today I decided to assume the roll of party cook [and camp keeper], much like Osborn Russell’s first experience when with a trapping party for Wyeth in 1834. After I had eaten a breakfast of cheese, bread & a apple I set about keeping the fire going. I used Paul’s axe & later mine to chop wood throughout the day. I am pleased with my axe.
     I was unable to procure beef ribs before the camp so I had to go with pork ribs. I cut a hole in each

end  between the first two ribs bones & skewered it on a limb. I put a light sprinkle of what littler pepper and salt I had left. The ribs would roast all afternoon & into the evening. The ground being frozen the height & angle of the ribs to the fire was achieved by tying on[e] end of the limb with cord from the tripod above the fire.
     I had to keep doctoring the fire all day. Due to the warmer temperature the snow was melting & kept threatening the bottom hotter coals of the fire.
     I built a little dam of firewood around the fire & had to keep building the fire vertically so there would be enough hot coals to keep the fire sustained. This battle was fought all day long.
     Continued chopping wood. Dave Finders told me “Leif, you’re making me tired from watching you work this hard!”
     Dave Evanson & the Swede arrived later afternoon/early evening. Conversation picked up some as

David Finders

the evening carried on the wind began to build. I made some stew in my copper lidded kettle from rib meat, barley, potatos & a little seasoning. about the time we had all finished our suppers I found that the ribs ere still not quite done. The inconsistent fire all day had not aided us in this. It was well dark now. There was just enough for everyone to have some once the ribs were finally finished. Everyone seemed happy with them. I felt I had done my job with the assumed roll of “party cook” in regards to the fires & the ribs.
     It is my goal to not have my fire fall victim to the “rising waters” next time & have the ribs done sooner for the men in our party.
     After we finished the ribs we conversed for some time & then played team cribbage. It was an exciting game the second game. There was lots of laughing.
     When it was time for me to repose I found it to be much cooler.
     I slept fitfully throughout the night before some rest was had. It has been quite some time since claustrobia has been this bad. I believe the weight of the bedding may have spurred it on. I woke up several times in a sweat, gasping for air & frantically threw off the covers, exposing my head & bare chest to the open air. Breathing in & feeling the cold wind on my skin calmed me & maid me feel alive. I would eventually have a patch of restful sleep.

1/26/14
     I awoke early to find my canvas on top of my bedding covered with a light layer of snow. It had rained lightly  during the night & then turned to snow. Some of it had made its way inside of my bedding. Thanks to my tuque I was not bothered.
     The wind was blowing steadily at a stiff pace & [it] was difficult to dress. I[n] case the weather got like this I had borrowed a blanket pin from one of my daughters to wear a blanket like a match-coat as I don’t have a capote made yet. With the pin in place by the neck to make a hood & my belt wrapped around my waist to keep the blanket closed this worked rather well.
     It took several trips to pack my gear out. I discovered that the snow under my bedding had melted & had soaked thru the several layers of canvas but stopped at the deer hides. I need to make an oil cloth. After leaving the deer hides & buffalo robe for Rod I headed out.
     I had good conversations with friends, experienced life, learned some things for next time. What I left this camp appreciating the most was the friends who want to see me succeed at this. I am a blessed man.
-- Leif

Paul Bauer having dinner

The many layers of my bedding