I'm commemorating my several Rocky Mountain Goat Adventures and a special friendship. I have been working on a special project (
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=004590) over in the Knife building forum since spring. Thanks to all for the help. I finally completed it yesterday. As with all life , I made many errors and learnt many things, but the most important for this project was to have a medical kit near by!
I am using Trad Gang to present this commemorative set of knifes, Allan will not receive his knife until he responds to this post/topic.
Here is a little back ground story on my Adventures.
This story/adventured begins in 2000, This year, I was partnered and worked with an ambitious and keen individual from British Columbia. As we started into our summer of work, our personalities meshed and we became good friends. Since that summer of working together, Allan’s and my friendship has strengthened and I consider him my closest friend and hunting buddy and really an extension of my family. This friendship is what nudged me back to traditional archery, changed my lifestyle choices and outlook on life. Since 2000, Allan has come to Saskatchewan several times to hunt, hang out and visit.
In 2004, I decided that I would like to try first Rocky Mountain goat hunt, this hunt occurred in the end of September early October. In a 10 day period we climbed two separate mountains, spent a night roped to a cliff, almost got taken out by a meter round boulder, wore a pair of mountain pants down to where only threads were hanging off of me, experienced Devils club for the first time and struggled with my fear of heights and the physical and mental exertion of the whole experience. Up to this point the biggest mental challenge I have ever faced. Reaching my mental and physical limit was awakening as well as somewhat degrading. I did not get a goat on this trip, but what I did get was a love for the mountain environment, and a further need to challenge my limits and fears, while getting more out of the hunting experience and life. I got home and figured that would be my last goat hunt, but within several months I could not be defeated in that way and the alpine environment had affected my brain and was calling me back.
In 2005, I headed for British Columbia again. I left my newly born daughter and wife behind and set of for one more adventure. This time like the last we climbed two separate mountains and again no Mountain goat. As the time before my personnel limits challenged me. The experience was somewhat better and gave me an opportunity to see even more remote alpine areas at a different time of year. Mid-August brought the alpine wild flowers into bloom, salmon fishing for the big Chinooks in this area, and nicer weather. On this trip Allan landed a close to 70 lbs. Chinook “wow”. Arriving home, I stated, to my Wife once more, “This was my last time for mountain goats”. But this time within days of returning to Saskatchewan I was thinking of going again.
I would have returned sooner but changes in Allan’s and my work and personal life kept me away for several years. Part of what contributed to this was that in 2009, while on patrol at work, I rolled my quad and broke my back and had multiple other serious injuries. This was for me a monumental life changing moment. I realized how close I was to not walking ever again and possibly death. Three things came from this experience: 1.) Don’t wait to do things in life, savor every moment especially with friends and family 2.) Don’t let your health physically and mentally limit your experiences 3.) There are so many more important things than work.
2011 was a great hunting experience, even though the weather was less than cooperative, hurricane winds, rain, snow, sleet, fog and everything else you don’t want for weather when hunting goats. Hunting was exciting, with the exploration of new mountain areas and challenging routes to get to the high country. I very much enjoyed this hunt, time with a great friend and time in the high country. Again no goats where in the forecast but I started to realize that was only a very small portion of the experience. Due to money and demands of family life I again stated to my wife, “This was my last time for goats”, she kind of smiled. It took even less time to change my mind and wanted to go again.
2012 brought my forth British Columbia adventure to pursue Mountain goats and experience the mountain environment once more. What a trip perfect weather, great salmon fishing, spectacular alpine wild flowers and mountain vistas. After tackling two separate mountains, seeing two grizzlies at very close distances, I received my first chance at a Rocky Mountain goat and made a dream come true. Now that I harvested a Mt. goat I figured that I would be satisfied and not need to hunt them ever again, I was home not more than a month and have already decided I will go again. But again have realized that it is the friendship and mountain environment that is the real draw. The goat I took on this hunt, although fantastic eating and a great trophy, is only a small part of my past four adventures. This animal was more than a trophy that most people judge animals by; it was a conclusion to 4 separate trips, overcoming my fear of height, embracing the mental and physical challenges faced by hunting these alpine areas.
I believe that no person that has experienced the alpine environment and adventure can get it out of their blood.
The 2012 photo gallery is:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=179;t=000100 And Hunting Knives and knife builders forum
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=004590
Topic: Commemorating Adventures (big surprise for tradgang member) (Read 1188 times)
