Rendezvous mountain men have skills

The 2022 Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders Mountain Man Rendezvous was in full swing last weekend. I spoke with Les Daniels about the inception of the mountain man rendezvous for this area. He told me Marion Baker had taken over The Brass Rail out north of town and was a huge catalyst in getting the muzzleloaders started. Frank Horvath, Gary Millhouse and many others including Les gave the Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders life. Although they had a very limited shooting range, they enjoyed their competitions.

In 1978, representatives from the National Muzzleloading Rifle association came to visit and taught the club members how to throw tomahawks. Another event was added to their fun. In 1983 the Sierra Madre Muzzleloading Rifle club hosted their first Mountain Man Rendezvous up on Jack Creek. A couple years later they had their rendezvous' down near Foote access.

In 1998 they were offered the pasture to the east of Grand Encampment Museum and that has been the site ever since. These events started out very small, but over the years they have grown exponentially.

The main goal of the Rendezvous, is to bring in younger generations, teach them the historical skills and principals of the mountain man so that it isn't lost over time. The Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders encourage all newcomers to ask for help. There are always "old timers" ready and willing to provide materials, time and lessons to anyone that wants to learn.

By tying in Living History Day with the Rendezvous, visitors have the opportunity to see both sides of the story–the primitive mountain man rendezvous and the pioneers that settled after the mountain man had blazed the trails. Although the mountain men were here for a very different reason, mainly inland fur trading, their presence made a path for the settlers to follow, and eventually the mountain men became guides for those wishing to travel into the unknowns of the West.

From the 1840's to the Victorian Age, history played out across the meadow. Mountain men and women gathered to share their knowledge, wares, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy food and drink.

During the mountain man era, 1825 to 1840, there were 16 rendezvous', 10 of which were held in Wyoming. There are currently hundreds held across the nation, in Canada and the UK. Celebrating the fur trappers, traders and explorers that roamed the plains and mountains, gives us an opportunity to step back in time and appreciate the hardships, rewards and contribution to the settlement and expansion of this country through the bravery and curiosity of the mountain man.

Mountain men needed certain skills to survive, including shooting a black powder rifle, throwing a knife and tomahawk and starting a fire with flint and steel. All of these skills are now competitions held at the rendezvous'.