The beauty of Montana is beyond captivating; there’s an endless amount of things to discover in the natural world, each as interesting as the last. Hiking through the backcountry, you first notice the mountains that tower on the horizon, the sunsets that paint the sky, or the babbling creeks. Then you notice the little wonders – the fossils on the creek bank, the wildflowers that line the trails, and the diversity of insects.
I spent a lot of time on the trip thinking about those who existed on the land before me. Some, like bears and moose, I knew walked the same path as me by their tracks in the mud. Others I saw, like a mother bear and her cub running across a mountainside. As we came across a hidden waterfall or a field of wildflowers – moments where we were in awe over the landscape, it made me wonder whether people 100, 1,000, or even 10,000 years ago looked at the same spots and felt the same sense of wonder. Did they sit at the same nook along the creek as I did? Were they watching the water as they reflected on their day?
I’ve learned that the land we were on historically belonged to the Blackfeet tribe, whom we had the opportunity to speak with at the Museum of the Plains Indians. The Blackfeet have been on this land for over 10,000 years, speaking one of the oldest languages and having the oldest DNA in North America. Land throughout Montana, stretching into Canada, holds a cultural significance to the Blackfeet. They see nature as spiritual, forming a deep connection with the land. It was incredible to experience a taste of the land they call home. From Glacier National Park to the Bob Marshall Wilderness, all of the places we’ve visited hold so much historical and biological significance.
It was fascinating to see and learn about the history of the land and imagine all the ways the land did and did not change through time. Spending time backpacking through the wilderness of Montana with WRFI is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has taught me so much about not only the world around me but myself. It has reshaped how I think about the land I’m on and has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone in more than one way. There are many aspects of this course that I will continue to apply throughout my life, not just the academic parts but also the newfound knowledge about myself.