Montana oil and mining journal., 1940-10-12

No stay at a dude ranch is complete
without at least one pack trip. These
last on an average of three days and
give the dude real taste of life in
the outdoors. Every man and woman
in the party usually takes an active
part in preparing camp and cooking
the meals and a toothbrush Is
probably the only thing to suggest the
all but forgotten life in a modern,
eastern city.
At the end of day, the riders are
too tired but happy and ready Ito hit
the hay" to stay awake long wondering
about anything. The moment at hand
is sufficient because 1t offers real liv-
ing in the great American out-of-
doors which is the setting of the north
ern Rocky mountain regions.
Hard riding, early risings, rather
rigid routines are the order of the
day. with ample time allowed for rest
and eating. Camp Is usually pitched
in the late afternoon, the horses hob
bled, with each person taking full re-
sponsibility for his own equipment such
as saddles. bedding and utensils.
Firewood must be procured as well
as water, and the cook needs plenty OF
help to prepare meal Tor such a
hungry. almost starving, group.
Then comes the thrill for which every
ASAAt3
around a huge fire while the cowboys
sing and tell stories Everyone becomes
well acquainted in the typical easy GO
ing western manner. Experiences Of
the day, song, laughter =. and then
one by one, off to bed to prepare for
daylight arising and another tough day
on the trail.
Besides fishing, there may be noun
tain climbing and explorations, with
the crew tied together with long
rope and each member Of the party
armed with spear poles, and OCCASION
ally there Is some prospecting for min
erals and even the resultant establish
ment of claims.
Comes night again, and mattresses Of
padded pine boughs become more well
come and comfortable than the most
ultra modern de luxe bed at the Wal
dorf Astoria could ever be. Far above
the winking stars, soft breeze sing
ing through the trees, and nearby the
rushing torrent of mountain stream
as it tumbles along its rocky way.
These are the precious heritage Of the
west, much the same today as hundreds
and thousands of years ago before the
first white man came to look upon
them and marvel at their beauty in
aweSome tribute.
Wind burn, sun burn "a few scratches
topics of the day on the third night
when the party returns to the ranch.
Most ranches offer a pack trip in
combination with cattle roundup, es-
pecially during the late summer or
early fall. For this kind Of trip, the
equipment goes on pack horses in care
of a guide and a cook prepares meals
from, the old-time and unchanged
chuck wagon. Included on the menu
are the we'll known pork and beans,
an assortment of canned goods, as well
as bread, meat, potatoes, and fish
caught along the way and there
are always plenty of healthy appetites
to devour everything that is served by
a cook who knows what cowboys like
best"
But dude ranching has been more
than just a lot of fun and vacation |
for people who could afford it. 1t has
been a means of promoting interesting
and valuable relationships between the !
youth of the east and the youth of
the west as well as among the older
members of the ranch and the visitors |
"Westerners appreciate good sports
and honesty above everything |
else and respect the tenderfoot if he !
shows these qualities. On the other |
hand, eaSterners admire the open |
skill and daring of the |
IduCueI anu COWDoyS d44u GAy W SO-
operate with them in every way. The |
and understanding of one !
another's problems that inevitably re- |
suits in this rough and ready living I
together out of doors results in deep |
affection between the two that is an |
factor in any consideration |
of what democracy is and can mean"
is the way one Montana dude ranch !
operator recently expressed it,
Besides riding, there are mnumer-
able hikes up trails to mountain sum-
mits, to lakes and into the more rugged |
and less accessible areas. And, too,
there may be walks in the rain, per-
haps a sudden clearing of the storm |
and the unsurpassed beauty of the