The idea of spending a summer backpacking into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness as a job seems pretty ideal. But for Dan Pendergraph and Sage Stowell the ideal does come with its hardships. This summer the they were two of four trip leaders for the University of Montana’s Wilderness Institute which organizes annual Citizen Science Program outings. The trips utilize volunteers to conduct work like campsite and trail studies, wilderness characteristic surveys and even to pull noxious weeds for agencies like the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Although the programs have roamed around the state, this year they ventured into the AB Wilderness where the weather was a bit uncooperative. Stowell and Pendergraph endured rain, wind, hail, lightning and a bit of snow during their five- to six-day outings. Despite the difficulties, the 28 year olds love the work, the people, the high country and the challenges. To read more about the program and the trip leaders, see my two stories in The Billings Gazette at
To read more about the program and the trip leaders, see my two stories in The Billings Gazette at http://bgz.tt/l5yri and http://bgz.tt/38hqq
(Written by Brett French – Outdoors Editor for the Billings Gazette)
