The cold rain returned to West Glacier sending away the crews to their respected areas after an eventful week of training.
Part of me wants everyone to stay here and work the park with us, but the other part is excited to get to know the Glacier crew even more.
We went out with a hoorah in epic fashion last night. Not only was it the last night we will all be together but it was Cayley's 21st birthday. And there is probably no better way to celebrate your 21st than at Fritas with 30 drunk outdoor/ bear enthusiasts. Let's just say this morning's hangover matched the weather.
But the collaborative hangover didn't let us off the hook for work. We were all right back at it, cutting wire, printing envelopes, and we even got a new job:
to grind up 5 barrels worth of fish guts. So the Cabinet-Yaak and Glacier crews switched off working in the pouring rain, chopping off the heads and shoving the bodies of hundreds of carp that we received from a bow fishing tournament at Canyon Ferry Lake. Even through the rain and a long hot shower I can smell the rotting fish on me. My water shoes may be ruined as well, currently reeking in the trunk of my car.
The last two days took us out in the field in groups to learn first hand how to survey the rub trees. It was a slow process for some of the newbies, but it didn't take any of the fun out of the day trips, and it was a nice change of pace from the classroom.
Tuesday brought Team Mike (Roesch and Beall) to the land of the power pines, a highway of a tree species fueled by electricity, aka power-lines. It was also optimal mosquito breeding territory. It was definitely not the greatest hike in the world, but we made it a good time. We saw a good amount of wildlife tracks and other traces, including a shit load of bear hair samples.
When evening arrived, another tasty family dinner was cooked and served to the music provided by Haakan, a fellow Glacier intern, and Dan Eker, who works in the Bob Marshall.
The peaks on the far end still hold an ungodly amount of snow, and the constant rain and highs in the 50s equates more snow in the high country. It's a beautiful sight, but it means we will be waiting even longer to hit the passes.
Our group found snow on our Wednesday hike in the Whitefish Range near the North Fork Drainage. It was a much more scenic day, and it was strange to be walking on feet of snow, wearing shorts and gators as a rain, sleet hybrid fell down on us.
We were also reminded that bear crew is fun at the Polebridge Mercantile, where an employee asked all of us in hiking gear what we were up to. And with our answer, she laughed and said, "I heard you guys like to party."
Then we hit Fritas, and the rest is history.
cheers,
Beaz_
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