Ella Pattison | Wilderness & Trails Intern
Internship Training- Weeks 1 & 2
I landed in Missoula the day before we started (from Tennessee/Georgia), and I was able to meet almost everyone before we began work the next day.
Ella during Wilderness First Aid training at the SBFC office with a fake eye impalement - taken by Krissy Ferriter
The next morning, we all piled into a couple cars and went to orientation. The first few days were filled with Wilderness First Aid and CPR training. We learned how to stop bleeding, take care of snake bites, make splints, and just generally be awesome.
After WFA and CPR training, we continued our education at the Northern Rockies Wilderness Skills Institute (NRWSI) at the Powell Ranger Station. Early in the week at NRWSI, we learned how to properly clear a trail and use tools like loppers, hand saws, and pulaskis. During the second half of the week, we learned how to use crosscuts and axes, and we practiced cutting logs and felling trees. Outside of learning how to maintain a trail, we spent most of our time at Powell Ranger Station, in the game room playing ping pong, foosball, and pool. We closed off the NRWSI training week with a barn dance and a bonfire.
NRWSI: Ella and Forrest during NRWSI training using a crosscut saw to fell a tree - taken by Emilia
After our week at Powell, we separated into two groups and went on a short overnight backpacking trip to test gear and learn about how hitches will work. My group hiked up Fish Creek, along the Lochsa River. The views were wonderful and we were able to camp right by an abandoned cabin. After a good night's rest, we hiked back to the van and embarked on our long journey home. After a nice long nap, we made it back to Missoula.
We had a day off before jumping back into things with tool maintenance and rehandling, and the next day we worked on our leadership skills.
So far this has been an extremely fun and informative experience and I cannot wait to work hard, learn more, and see where this summer takes me!
Forrest playing pool at Powell Ranger Station after crosscut training. - Taken by Riley
From left to right Riley, Ella, Amelia, Andrew, Jaxon on a bridge during the shakedown hitch in Fish Creek. - Taken by Riley
Ella Pattison
Johnson City, TN
Dalton State College
Ella Pattison grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, kayaking, climbing, and camping. A 110 day cross-country camping trip cemented her love for long days, new places, and wild adventures such as rafting the full 280 miles of the Grand Canyon and trekking in the Andes. Her love of the wilderness has led her to participate in environmental research, studying light pollution, and native entomology. When she is not outside, she is often found on stage acting, fiddling, or playing the piano - skills that are only occasionally useful in the backcountry. She is looking forward to a summer of hard work, learning, and good miles at SBFC.