due to the size and number of deadfall in the trail.” Not only was downfall cut out, but a major washout was repaired and the tread on six feet of trail made passable for stock again. Extensive brushing was also done. The TVBCH crew met the head Pistol Creek outfitter coming down the trail, who said that he was very appreciative of the work—At the time, he was bringing in horses and owners of the Pistol Creek Ranch. Members in this TVBCHI crew were Doug Jones, Jim Smolinski, Bill Murphy, Justin Stucker, Hunter Stucker, and Anne Pope.
For the bridge project, member Joe Williams took his pack string to the bottom of the 18.5 mile trail, where the Forest Service (Salmon-challis Nat’l Forest) had just cleared, to join three members, Cini Baumhoff, Ron Doupe, and Patty Pennington, who had flown from Cascade, ID, to the Indian Creek airstrip, which is near the Indian Creek Forest Guard Station located within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. This is where the crew of four would complete extensive repair work on the Indian Creek Bridge and a little work on the Pistol Creek Bridge.
Overall, it was a tough trail to clear in 2019, but we will probably do it again next year, and perhaps revisit the bridges for future maintenance work.
Many times we are asked what all do Back Country Horsemen do. That question can start a wide range of conversation and discussion about trails, legislation, sawyer work, etc. At the heart of every Back Country Horseman is an individual who not only cares about the land, but also the individuals that use it. This is the story of a local horsewoman, who is a member of the NEMO Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Missouri who was instrumental in locating a missing rider, along with his horse, on August 27th.
The rider, sixty-seven year old Will Stober went missing about 3 p.m. Tuesday, from the Joanna Trail at the Frank Russell Recreation Area at Mark Twain Lake.
A local news station, WGEM, reported the missing rider about 9 pm. His cell phone had been found, but it was unclear what had happened to the rider, and his horse. Local law enforcement, Fire departments, Corps of Engineers, and Missouri Highway Patrol were assisting in the search.
But a BCHMO Chapter leader heard about it and went into action. Becki Krueger, NEMO Chapter leader contacted Von Gittemeier, a fellow chapter member, who lives nearby and asked if she had heard of the missing rider. Von had seen emergency vehicles earlier in the evening, but had not heard any news reports. Becki then asked Von to see if she could be of assistance to the emergency personnel.
Von, along with her husband Paul, and neighbors Tom and Jane Heitman, contacted one of the local authorities on the scene and asked if they could take their Ranger (UTV) and help in the search for the missing rider. They were given permission to help, and, since some of the area had already been searched Von knew of an area of the Joanna trail that she could readily access, so she and her party started the search in that vicinity.
Less than an hour after they began, they spotted eyes in the distance… which were illuminated by their flashlights and spotlight. At first, they thought it was a deer, but decided to look closer. It turned out to be the missing riders horse. As they approached the horse, they could hear the rider saying, ‘I’m over here, I’m over here’. He was awake and alert, still holding his horse, which he had unsaddled. He was lying on the ground, and had used the saddle for a pillow.
Phone contact was made with authorities, and a helicopter, which had been searching in the area was notified. Von then left some of her party with the rider while she returned to the nearest road, in order to lead the EMT’s to the sight of the incident. By using her Ranger, an emergency personnel UTV and an emergency vehicle, they returned to the rider and were able to transport him back out to a waiting ambulance. At last report he had sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The horse was led out and was stabled at Von’s Lone Star Barn until arrangements could be made for his return to the rider’s family. He sustained no injuries. NEMO Chapter and BCHMO wants to thank members Von and Paul Gittemeier for their help in locating the missing rider. With their help and knowledge of the trails around Mark Twain Lake, the injured rider was found and evacuated safely and effectively from the area.
This is an excellent example of the value of the Back Country Horsemen. They are highly effective in situations such as this… because we are the hooves and boots on the ground, we cover the
trails and know the area those trails
are in.
BCHMO RESCUE
NEMO Chapter, Back Country Horsemen of Missouri
By Brian Pierick