Columnist Barb Henderson: Rendezvous a revival of traditions

Barb Henderson

Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 | 10:25 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

Rendezvous, an encampment during the old West, is re-enacted today by a variety of organizations.

This important meeting place allowed frontiersmen, pioneers, mountain men, Native Americans, explorers, traders and trappers etc., an opportunity to gather to buy, sell and trade goods (pelts, etc.) and a time to socialize.

During competitions at rendezvous, individuals would try to outdo one another by using much of the same skills that were used to survive out in the wilderness; muzzle loading, black powder shooting, archery, tomahawk and knife throwing.

For the most part, rugged mountain men would try to plan their lives around rendezvous each year.

The Spring Mountain Free Trappers (SMFT), a Southern Nevada organization is dedicated to preserving the historic events of the mountain man. Today, when SMFT members gather for rendezveous they wear traditional dress and use a mountain man alias.

Frank Brown (alias Atasi), a founding member whos holds the position of Segundo (vice president), indicated SMFT was formed back in 1976 and incorporated in 1978, to preserve the traditions of the Mountain Man from the fur trapping period 1800-1840's.

There was a Mountain Man Rendezvous demonstration this week as part of the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park's annual "Living History programs."

My journey to attend the SMFT Rendezvous demonstration, included traveling through the scenic Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to reach my destination to this spectacular Nevada Park. The program gave folks a perspective to some of the same activities that may have occurred back in the 1800s.

Upon my arrival, I met up with Joanne Klouchek (alias Sugarfoot), the Booshway (president), who eagerly showed me around the teepee and canvas tent trader area. After touring the camps, she directed me to an area where members were shooting black powder rifles and pistols near Lake Harriet.

A history note: Chet Lauck, who owned the Spring Mountain Ranch from 1948-55, had built a large reservoir and named it Lake Harriet, after his wife. For further history and/or information on the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, contact the park office at 875-4141.

Sugarfoot joined by daughter, Sheri Kaminski and 11-year-old grand-daughter, Julia, headed over to the shooting area. Sugarfoot takes pleasure in having both her daughter and grand daughter shooting alongside of her, "It is quality time with family in a sport we all enjoy," said Klouchek.

It was wonderful to see three generations of women excited about shooting black powder rifles and pistols. The youngest of the three generations shared her feelings about shooting black powder. "It's a lot of fun. It takes concentration and strength," said Julia.

Atasi (Frank Brown) enjoys a 35-pound pull traditional bow as well as, shooting black powder rifle and pistol. As Segundo, his future hopes for the SMFT includes the continuation to preserve the traditions of the Mountain Man for many many years.

"I have always hoped that other people could have some idea of how this country began, many do not realize the role the fur trappers played in opening the way for the pioneers. By keeping these traditions alive, we keep history alive," said Brown.

Although this particular Mountain Man Rendezvous was a demonstration, the SMFT usually will hold an annual rendezvous along with a variety of other activities throughout the year.

"Being the Booshway is rewarding, to help find ways to improve our club," said Sugarfoot.

For more information about the Spring Mountain Free Trappers, click on the Internet at www.springmountainfreetrappers.org.