Wilderness Ranger Fellow Madison Kilkenny
USFS Trail #19, Blodgett Canyon Trail
High Lake/Blodgett Canyon Volunteer Trip
July 13 - 19, 2021
Bitterroot National Forest | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
At the beginning of this program, I was extremely hesitant in accepting this position considering my lack of backcountry experience. Before this fellowship, I had spent little to no time in the backcountry and living in the Wilderness for eight days at a time intimidated me. Thanks to Sally’s encouraging words, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and embark on a challenging adventure this summer.
Our Packer Ed and his stock, packing us in to Blodgett Canyon.
Merely two months later, as I conclude my fourth hitch in the Bitterroot Wilderness, I take note in the growth I have gained from the beginning of the season. At the beginning of the season, I thought stock to be a campsite stock room items such as supplies and tools. To my delightful surprise, stock turned out to be horses and mules. I knew the names of none of the tools, struggled to set up my tent, could barely pick up my 50 lb. pack, and had an unrealistic phobia of bugs.
Now that I have finished my first volunteer hitch, I realize I not only know the names of the tools and how to effectively use them, but I am able to teach the volunteers how to use them as well. Not only am I physically capable of hard work, but I am mentally stronger.
Huckleberry pickin’ break!
In the backcountry you only make a mistake once before you never do it again. In my case, I will never forget a crosscut at the top of an alpine lake again, because I did indeed have to make the grueling 10-mile hike to retrieve it the next day. This is just one of the many lessons I have learned in the Wilderness. I can now identify a handful of edible vegetation, including my crews’ favorite, Huckleberries. I understand the Wilderness is unforgiving, and to always be prepared for anything. I’ve learned the importance of the Leave No Trace principals, to always pick up trash wherever I go, the art of the creek bath, and how to effectively work and live as a crew.
Katanaboying a 20in tree.
This hitch represented great reflection and personal growth. Anyone can do hard things if they put their mind to it. No matter how hard each day is, when I lay in my tent at night, the hard work I put into the trails feels rewarding. I am using my body to the best of its ability to help open the Wilderness to the public and spend my days in nature. My passion towards nature is like a fire that burns inside of me, which drives me every day in the field. It gives me a purpose.
I also saw a moose!
The hike back from Blodgett Lake.
Blodgett creek from the stock bridge.
Bitterroot National Forest | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Washington State University
Major: Environmental Science | Minor: GIS
Madi is a third-year undergraduate at Washington State University, studying Environmental Science with a minor in GIS. Madi grew up in California and recently moved to Lake Tahoe. In Tahoe, she is able to exercise her passion for the outdoors through skiing, hiking, and paddleboarding. This is her first time working a season in the wilderness and is excited for the personal and professional development in store!