Kieran Wilder

Wilderness Ranger Fellow

Selway Bitterroot Wilderness - Nez Perce Clearwater NF

Hitches 1-3 6/6-7/11

Appreciation is a word that's been on my mind a lot recently. During my crew's last off hitch, I severely rolled my ankle, fracturing a bone, tearing ligaments, and putting me on the couch for the rest of the season. My goals for the season were to learn the skills it takes to be a wilderness ranger, meet like-minded people, and give back to the wilderness area that I had spent much of my childhood surrounded by. While my season was cut short, I feel like I was able to accomplish much of what I had hoped. Reflecting now as I sit on this cushioned recliner with AC blasting and food at the press of a microwave button, I feel great appreciation.

*Nez Perce Clearwater crew kicking back at Horse Camp cabin after a long day (Hitch 1) Photo: Karlissa Skinner.*

I feel appreciation for the place I was able to work. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness was where I first backpacked and where my love for wild places was sparked. Being able to give back to this place through the work we do on our hitches is a very rewarding feeling. I think back to my crew’s first hitch at horse camp where we learned how to build a sawbuck to be used to crosscut logs that could be split for firewood. Our crew also monitored campsites around Stanley Hot Springs where we were able to ‘test’ the water in one of the wildernesses best hot springs.

I feel appreciation for the work that we do. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenge of working in these wilderness areas, and often I found myself forgetting why I was out there. I think back to my crew’s second hitch where we cut close to 700 trees along the Warm Springs and Wind Lakes trails, and forded across Warm Springs Creek (falsely named) each morning just as the sun was rising. In the moment it was sometimes difficult to recognize the value of the work, as your body told you to stop. Now, there is little else I would rather be doing than pulling a saw in a burned area with flies biting or limbing a tree as the rain soaks my boots.

*Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Lead Wilderness Steward Connor Adams teaching map and compass skills on the Sponge Mountain saddle (Hitch 3)*

Lastly, I feel appreciation for the people I was lucky enough to work alongside. A crosscut saw works best with two people in rhythm and supporting each other's strokes. Much in the same way, a crew’s support for one another allows us to achieve so much more than we could individually. I think of our crew’s third hitch up Eagle Mountain trail to Fish Lake, where long days of hiking were made easier by laughing together and thoughts of cooking dinner that evening. Sharing these special places with my crew was my favorite part of this season.

*Enjoying the Sunrise at Fish Lake Cabin before a day of campsite monitoring (Hitch 3) Photo: Olivia Hinds.*

While I would have preferred to avoid this injury and finish out my season, it has given me an opportunity to recognize my appreciation for the places we work and the work that we do. I am more motivated than ever to get back out into the woods and continue to experience the beauty of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.

KIERAN WILDER

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Montana State University

Major: Environmental Science & Sustainability Studies

Kieran grew up in Moscow, Idaho and spent much of his childhood backpacking in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness where he developed his love for the outdoors. Kieran studied Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies at Montana State University where he furthered his passion for environmental protection and gained knowledge in wilderness policy and management. Kieran’s enthusiasm for wilderness comes from his recognition of the positive impact that wilderness areas have on people and his desire to protect them for future generations. Kieran is very excited to work with SBFC as a Wilderness Ranger Fellow and gain knowledge and skills in wilderness trail work and stewardship.