Rocky Mountain Outfit — American Mountain Men (AMM) party of Colorado

During August 12-13, 2011 a solo camp was done by Bill Gantic in the Snuffles Wilderness area of the San Juan mountains up the West Dallas Creek drainage. Bills dog Molly acompanied him. On the first day, 3 miles back into the Mears Peak basin at around 10,000 feet, camp was made. There was plenty of bear sign to be found; old logs ripped apart and rocks rolled looking for ants and grubs. The NW gun was loaded and Molly was on guard for the night. Fire starting skills were tested, though being late summer, dry tinder was very hard to come by. With only a small amount of char at hand it looked like to be a cold camp. The lock was removed from the NW gun and powder was used many times to make a fire near dark. It was the most enjoyed fire to be had. A tin with fishing kit was dumped out and a hole was made with knife to make more char. The next morning holes in mocs were mended and other gear repaired. Later camp was moved another 2 miles. On the trail dry tinder was added to the kit, thankfully, as evening rain came and a fire was started in no time. On the way a large bull elk was jumped at close quarters; meat could have been easily made back in the day.