Distinctly Montana Magazine

2025 // Spring

Distinctly Montana Magazine

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61 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m This winter started out with little snowpack, so Carlos sat in the garage, waiting. January came along and with it beau- tiful snow that I needed. With a new expedition harness and upgraded poles, I felt confident. I weighted the pulk well this time, heaviest in the middle and everything else around it. But even on a beautifully packed trail, I felt the old familiar growing pains. My patience wore thin as I had to continuously fix the poles that attach the pulk—there are certain patterns you use, from crossing the poles to keeping them straight. We hit deep powder numerous times, Carlos pitched sideways immediately each time, and I repacked and readjusted again. And again. Over time, something shifted. It isn't always skis—often I mix it up to save my feet from ski boots and use snowshoes, switch- ing between the two. I learned to anticipate when I needed to balance the pulk over areas that were too deep, had snowdrifts or grooves from snowmobiles. I started listening more, and we found our rhythm. This new way of traveling extended my time in the backcoun- try. I could bring a tent and stay longer with more comfort— heavier sleeping bags, food, fuel, and water. I had a system down for carrying my camera equipment to document the time spent out here. Days would pass without seeing another soul. You learn to read the snowpack like your life depends on it, be- cause it does. The weather taught me its own lessons—colder days meant faster travel with less drag on the pulk. Wildlife tracks became more plentiful the further I ventured into the backcountry. Moose tracks through the willows had me talking to myself, hoping I wouldn't see them up close and personal. Some days

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