Teton Family Winter 2020/21 Issue No. 34 by Teton Media Works, Inc.

WINTER

20/21

Insi de

Issue # 34

e ... ssu i is

E-L E D L A M E F ESSES BU S I N e the

celebrat style re life adventu

ADAPTOGENS

Enjoy reduced stress and more energy with our nourishing recipes

BORED OF THE BIAS

Three local female business leaders bash the status quo

HUNTING 101

It's never too late to learn the art of big game hunting

Teton Family Â¤ Winter 2020/21

Family-sized adventures.

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WINTER

20/21 Contents

34 — MOUNTAIN STYLE Teton Valley, Idaho teachers take Common Core standards to the forest

ON THE FARM

Pandemic times or not, Teton gardeners grow year-round produce

IN SEASON Turn up the volume on gut health with our cultured winter salads

WELLNESS WIRED Can community interconnectedness be the key to immunity?

TABLE TALK One Teton-based mom gets extreme with Jackson Hole’s Rad Mom’s group

SLOW HOME Fulfill distance learning requirements by becoming a backyard scientist

IG HIGHLIGHTS Our favorite community moments #tetonslowliving 2

FEATURES 34

Jackson Hole’s Iksplor crafts conscious wears for pint-sized wanderlusters

GETTING EVEN

Enjoy reduced stress and prolonged energy with nourishing adaptogenic herbs and recipes. By Paulette Phlipot

18 25 28 31 56

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Photos: Paulette Phlipot (top); Shannon Corsi (center); Camrin Dengel (bottom)

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Issue # 34

42 — 50 —

BORED OF THE BIAS

Three female business leaders bash the status quo through empowerment, liberation, and permission. By Christina Shepherd McGuire

A BIG GAME HUNTING PRIMER

One local writer proves it's never too late to learn how to hunt. By Sue Muncaster On the Cover: Amy Hatch of Garage Grown Gear leaves ten hours each week for adventuring, a manifesto that hangs over her desk. Photo by Shannon Corsi

Here, above and beyond is close to the heart. www.stjohns.health

Winter 2021 Â¤ Teton Family

A note from the EDITOR

Yesterday, a friend sent me a text saying, “Have a happy last day of the shortest summer ever!” (It’s not new news to you that I write my editor’s letter the season prior to the release of the magazine. Just today, I sent my kids back to school in the midst of a global pandemic and with much uncertainty—let’s just say, I’ve learned to go with the flow). My friend’s text took me off guard. You see, like many whose lives were uprooted by the events of 2020, she and her family relocated to the Tetons this summer from North Carolina. From her perspective— and with the recent drop in temperature to 45°F on August 30—the summer was comparatively short to what she’s experienced in the Southeast. To me, however, the so-called “summer”— which consisted of having my kids at home from March 15 to August 31—was painstakingly long; I was, quite frankly, over it. This feeling of defeat reminded me that we’ve all sacrificed a lot in the way of normalcy: summer vacations postponed, weddings put on hold, family traditions skipped. Rerouting our plans and often sitting in limbo left me emotionally drained. Mothers had it especially hard. While the guys could go with the flow a little better, we toiled over last-minute decisions and internalized almost every choice we made—all in an effort to please everyone around us. So with this issue, I tackle a feeling of unrest by inspiring you with grounding stories of mothers. Check out Susan Pieper, owner and founder of DMOS Collective in Jackson and mother/stepmother of

four. (See page 42.) She’s a two-time competitor in the Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road rally in the U.S. where she has played the role of both driver and navigator. (Fitting roles for all of us, right?) Then there’s Jacksonbased mom, Sue Muncaster (on page 50), who continues her family’s hunting legacy by teaching herself and her son how to hunt, process, and prepare wild game meat. Driggs-based mother Deb Barracato went out of her comfort zone when she participated in the JH Babe Force’s Rad Mom’s workshop just so she could keep up with her 12-year-old son on skis. (See page 28). Maybe you can’t relate to off-road racing or killing animals for sustenance, and you have no desire to launch yourself into Corbett’s. That’s okay; you don’t have to! Instead, if gardening is more your scene, see page 18 for tips on how to extend your growing season through the winter. (No, that’s not a typo.) Point being—we’ve spent a lot of time in captivity. There’s been far fewer real conversations and way too much social media trolling. It’s time for us, as women and mothers, to rekindle our spirits and offer that back out into the world. As winter sets in, let’s form intentions for the new year. Jot down your priorities (just like Amy Hatch, Victor mother and founder of Garage Grown Gear, does on page 48) and don’t stray far from your list. We’ve spent a lot of time worrying about everyone else. Now, our community relies on us taking care of ourselves.

Christina

Contributing WRITERS

Molly Absolon writes to support her outdoor habit. She’d rather be hiking, biking, or skiing in the mountains than just about anything else. A former outdoor educator and current mother of a college kid, Molly lives in Victor, Idaho, with her husband.

Deb Barracato visited a friend in the Tetons 28 years ago and never left. She appreciates the flexible lifestyle her remote career as a project and events manager, freelance writer, and editor allows. Deb’s free time is spent building quality memories with her son, Nathan.

These days, Sue Muncaster is embracing uncertainty with trust and joy. As a writer, she explores the intentional mental, physical, social, and spiritual practices and rich experiences of a values-driven outdoor lifestyle. Catch up with her at tetonstrong.com.

Addie Pascal is a wife, mother, writer, registered nurse, and doer of all things. She loves being in the kitchen, on a mountain, or on a travel adventure with her tribe of five. She is forever on the hunt for the perfect bowl of curry.

Fresh, real, healing foods and recipes continue to keep Paulette Phlipot connected to her Teton family and friends no matter how many miles separate them. She enthusiastically photographs products for brands and inspires wellness worldwide with her FoodAsArt® fine art photography collection.

Tibby Plasse lives at the base of Teton Pass with her son and German wirehaired pointer. She holds an MFA in Poetry and Translation, as well as a BA in English and Political Science. Tibby likes discovering answers to all types of questions.

Basking in the shadow of the Tetons since 1998, Jessa Smout can typically be found playing outdoors with her son or mixing up incredible libations for her business Amrita: Handcrafted Beverages. Jessa likes to share her passions, with love and intention, through bespoke dinners, retreats, and special events.

Cate Stillman guides a global tribe towards better body, community, and dharma health through innovative Ayurvedic teachings. Cate splits her time between Alta, Wyoming and Punta Mita, Mexico, while operating a wellness career (yogahealer.com) and being a mom. Check out her podcast, or pick up one of her books.

Melissa Young is a mom, teacher, dancer, and a social justice warrior. After living the East Coast city life following college, she moved back to the mountains. Now, her time is divided between her two children, their many rescue animals, a tiny-farm, cozying up with a favorite book, and simply being outdoors.

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Editor photograph by Camrin Dengel

Welcome to

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tetonfamilymagazine.com facebook.com/TetonFamilyMagazine

@tetonfamilymagazine

Publisher Kevin Olson Associate Publisher Adam Meyer Editor Christina Shepherd McGuire christina@tetonfamilymagazine.com Art Director Samantha Nock Copy Editor Cherisé Forno Contributing Photographers Shannon Corsi Price Chambers Camrin Dengel Julie Millard Paulette Phlipot Kathryn Ziesig

Advertising Sales Karen Brennan, Tom Hall, Megan LaTorre, Oliver O’Connor, David Szugyi, Tatum Biciolis Ad Production Sarah Wilson, Lydia Redzich, Luis F. Ortiz, Heather Haseltine, Chelsea Robinson Distribution Jeff Young, Jayann Carlisle, Candace Whitaker

18 —

Teton Family is published two times a year and distributed at more than seventy-five locations for free throughout the Tetons. To request copies, call (307) 732-5903. Visit tetonfamilymagazine.com for additional content and insightful blogs. © 2020 Teton Media Works, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine’s original contents, whether in whole or in part, requires written permission from the publisher.

help keep recycling clean YES NO

Can be recycled 5-6 times before it reaches the end of its life

WHY?

1. The Eggs 2. Egg cartons are made from paperboard or styrofoam

Glass

Drink containers and cereal boxes are made from paperboard which is not recyclable

PLEASE

Place in your trash.

Call 733-SORT (7678) 6

3270 S. Adams Canyon Dr.

2 RODEO GROUNDS Parking lot

3 RECREATION CENTER

METAL

Parking Lot Gill Ave.

Is infinitely recyclable

4 ALBERTSONS LOT

WHY?

1 THE RECYCLING CENTER

NO YES

CARDBOARD

COMMUNITY RECYCLING BIN LOCATIONS

YES

NO WHY?

It is not a bottle.

•

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

TIN

105 Buffalo Way

5 THE ASPENS The Aspens Market

WHY? Too dirty.

6 TETON VILLAGE

NO WHY?

7 NORTH OF TOWN

Maintenance yard East of Ranch Parking lot Spring Gulch Rd., North of Gros Ventre River Bridge

8 HOBACK JUNCTION

They’re made from paperboard which is not recyclable

tetoncountywy.gov/recycle & roadtozerowastejh.org

Adjacent to Roundabout

•

Text questions and photos to (307)200-9308

383982

Our Our dedicated COVID-19 COVID-19 line 208.354.2383 is 208.354.2383 Our dedicated dedicated COVID-19 line is isline 208.354.2383 If you have flu-like flu-like symptoms, symptoms, please please call callline thisbefore line before coming coming in. If you youIfhave have flu-like symptoms, please call this this line before coming in. in.

Meeting Meeting our valley’s valley’s healthcare healthcare needs needs Meeting our our valley’s healthcare needs

Teton Valley Valley Hospital: Hospital: TetonTeton Valley Hospital: 120 120Howard East Howard Avenue Avenue 120 East East Howard Avenue Driggs, Driggs, Idaho 83422 Driggs, IdahoIdaho 8342283422 208.354.2383 208.354.2383 208.354.2383 Open 24 24 hours Open Open 24 hours hours Driggs Driggs Clinic: Clinic: Driggs Clinic: 283 283 North First First East 283 North North First East East Driggs, Driggs, Idaho 83422 Driggs, IdahoIdaho 8342283422 208.354.6323 208.354.6323 208.354.6323 M MAM - F 9-- 5 PM M -- F F9 9 AM 5AM PM- 5 PM Sat Sun Sun --9AM 1PM Sat & & Sat Sun&9AM 9AM 1PM - 1PM Victor Victor Clinic: Clinic: Victor Clinic: 83 83 North Main Main Street 83 North North Main Street Street Victor, Idaho 83455 Victor,Victor, IdahoIdaho 8345583455 208.354.6323 208.354.6323 208.354.6323 M MAM - F 9-- 6PM AM - 6PM M -- F F9 9 AM 6PM Pediatrics Pediatrics Tues Thurs & Thurs Pediatrics Tues & &Tues Thurs 9AM 4PM 9AM --9AM 4PM- 4PM

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Cache Cache Clinic: Clinic: Cache Clinic: 852 852 Valley Centre Centre Drive 852 Valley Valley Centre Drive Drive Driggs, Driggs, Idaho 83422 Driggs, IdahoIdaho 8342283422 208.354.1156 208.354.1156 208.354.1156 Mon-Fri Mon-Fri 4 4 - 8 PM Mon-Fri 4 -- 8 8 PM PM Cash, credit card card or Cash,Cash, creditcredit card or or check only. checkcheck only. only. Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

THE FOREST CLASSROOM By Melissa Young // Photography by Camrin Dengel

n groups of three and four, bundled in layers of fleece and snowpants with backpacks slung on their backs, 9-year-old students hiked up the trail to their outdoor classroom. There was laughter as they stomped through the snow, and exclamations of wonder as they picked out the tracks of the various animals heading to and from the river. The tracks helped form the students’ “forest stories,” as they eagerly searched out other changes that had occurred since they were in the same spot one month ago. Coming around a last familiar bend, they quickly headed to their favorite landing spots, sipped from their steaming thermoses of hot chocolate, and got ready for the lesson of the day. Why nature-based education? Forest education in schools and classrooms has a long history in European countries, yet it’s just taking root here in the United States. As more opportunities arise for students to participate in naturebased programs, families realize the indelible benefits and impacts this type of learning has on their children’s academic development. Claire Warden, founder of Auchlone Nature Kindergarten in Scotland and board member for the International Association of Nature Pedagogy, is a forerunner in the research and development of nature8

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Left: Jaylene Caro works carefully based education. She on the academic lesson of the day. works closely with many Top Right: Students set out on Sheep's Bridge experts in the U.S., Trail in Teton Canyon while observing and including David Sobel photographing seasonal changes from the bridge. of Antioch University in Bottom Right: A student uses a compass Culver City, California, to apply mapping skills learned in the a school founded on classroom to a real-world experience. the principles of social and environmental justice, and Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. She explains that “the underlying themes and principles of nature pedagogy connect all of us into a global civilization no matter where in the world we are.”

What does this look like in a public school? As fourth-grade teachers at Rendezvous Upper Elementary School (RUES) in Driggs, Renee Giallonardo and I have long incorporated student choice, nature-based play, and outdoor learning settings into our teachings. Together, we decided to pilot the idea of a forest-based curriculum for grade four. Supported by our principal, Kristin Weston, we decided to use a meadow off of the Sheep’s Bridge Trail in Teton Canyon (Alta, Wyoming) as our outdoor classroom and spend one full day each month in this space.

Over the course of the first year, we integrated research-based practices into the program. Students practiced mindfulness before hiking “to transition their minds, hearts, and bodies from inside learning to outside learning.” They also paid attention to the seasonal environmental changes that occurred each month. Safety guidelines were created with the help of students and were adjusted as the season and weather dictated. Common Core curriculum standards that were intentionally woven into nature-centric and place-based lessons—such as snow science and wilderness survival—helped foster skills not typically taught in a traditional classroom. At RUES, the program’s success grew to include all six fourth-grade classes. Teams still visited the same spot for a full day each month, but left a full week of time in between visits to allow the space to return to its undisturbed appearance. What type of lessons are learned? The numerous benefits of forest education, with its focus on holistic teaching, quickly become evident within groups of students: Academics are learned in a hands-on setting.

With grant assistance from the Education Foundation of Teton Valley and through collaboration with community partners, we were able to integrate a different relevant academic lesson on each forest trip. For example, mapping skills (a fourth-grade standard requirement for science

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Will Kaiser climbs a tree during open exploration play.

and social studies), where students learned how to use compasses, avalanche beacons, and topographic maps in a real-world setting, were taught by Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue. Later in the year, students used their knowledge of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to create handdrawn maps based on landmarks that lead to their outdoor classroom. Place-based learning utilizes community partners.

Students worked with local experts to learn snow science and survival skills, which are essential for living in a mountain community like Teton Valley. They practiced digging a snow pit to check for avalanche danger, building a pit fire and shelter, and signaling for help when lost. Teacher Trunks, provided by the Teton Valley Land Trust, helped supply the needed equipment, and hands-on lessons taught by experts created a more meaningful learning opportunity for students. Risky play helps with social-emotional development.

Arguably, the highlight of the students’ day in the forest was free exploration. With strong safety guidelines in place that focused more on helping each other and having a plan, rather than what is and is not allowed, kids were able to simply be kids. This was when forts were built, trees were climbed, games were created, and adventure happened. During this exploration, teachers stayed as hands-off as possible, allowing students to collaborate with each other, talk each other through difficult situations, solve their own problems, and be creative. Culture. Recreation. Taking Community. risks physically and emotionally built a strong foundation of community among students, which then directly translated back to the classroom. Trust, compassion, and empathy evolved from the forest experience and became a springboard from which students took more academic risks when back in their traditional setting.

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Culture. Recreation. Community. 10

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

208-399-2ICE

Looking ahead, we, as teachers, are exploring ways to make the program more intentionally integrated with our academic units of study. Students looked back on these days as some of their absolute favorites of the school year. One student recounted his experience saying, “I hadn’t ever hiked before, and now I can. I learned to stay safe in the snow, and I got to build forts. I also got better at working with new people on projects. All schools should do this!” tf

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307.733.5427 • info@jhcschool.org • www.jhcommunityschool.org Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

The Iksplor girl posse (from left to right, back to front): Karissa Atkin, Anara Akin (6 months), Kailey Gieck, Lucinda Gieck (2 months), Barb Tuthill, Everleigh Akin (3 years)

LITTLE COMPANY. BIG IMPACT. By Addie Pascal // Photography provided

Iksplor.

o, the name is not Scandinavian; it’s the phonetic version of the word “explore.” It’s also the name of an innovative, Jackson-based, family-owned business with the mission of outfitting little ones in proper adventure wear. Iksplor helps families get outside and create lasting memories. “We had a very active, outdoor family growing up,” says Karissa (Tuthill) Akin, co-founder of Iksplor. “When we look back on our childhood, those are the moments we remember—being outside together.” Growing up in Colorado provided ample opportunity for the Tuthill family to ski, mountain bike, fish, kiteboard, windsurf, hike and camp together, with each adventure drawing them closer. This deep bond formed outdoors helped Karissa and Kailey (Tuthill) Gieck, her sister and business partner, through some of life’s major ups and downs. From the tragic loss of their brother, Michael, who was in his twenties when he passed away, to the adjustment of becoming parents themselves, and, most recently, to the loss of their beloved dad, William Tuthill (affectionately known as “Wild Bill”), the sisters turned to what has always grounded them—their family’s connection to nature. Now, both neck-deep in the 12

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

throes of motherhood, they aim to cultivate this value in their own families by encouraging others to unplug from everyday life and connect during outside activities. Still, as any parent can tell you, nothing spoils an excursion into the wilderness faster than a wet and cold kid. These mamas discovered that quickly, as they sought out options for dressing their two young daughters for everchanging weather in the mountains. This fostered their desire to create essential adventure wear for children in an industry where the pickings were slim. In fact, the more Karissa and Kailey explored the various fabric options, the more they were repeatedly drawn to a material they’ve had for years in their own closets—merino wool. Karissa and Kailey are no strangers to entrepreneurship. With small business owners as parents, the sisters learned firsthand what it would take to start and run a successful family business. Bill, confident in his daughters’ abilities, offered encouragement and the financial backing to their endeavor. While their mom, Barb Tuthill, offered more practical guidance. The two women chuckle as they recall Barb’s rather direct advice: “If you want to work with me, you’d better figure it out!”

FOR KIDS, THE BENEFITS OF MERINO ARE ENDLESS... — •

Kids fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer when wrapped in merino wool.

•

Merino reduces irritation, which is beneficial for skin sensitivities.

•

Wool has been shown to calm kids with sensory issues.

•

Merino is stain resistant. (Can we get a fist bump, parents?)

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Woven merino wool provides a natural sunscreen, up to UPF 50.

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Merino is season-less (contrary to popular belief)—it’s temperature regulating, breathable, and quick-drying.

•

Merino does not release microfibers into the environment during washing.

•

Merino is compostable within six months of discarding.

Jackson Hole Classical Academy

Focusing on essential pieces for kids size 0 to 6, Ikslpor was launched in 2018 with the help of a Kickstarter campaign. The company became incorporated in January 2019 on what would have been their brother’s 29th birthday. “Michael embodied such an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Karissa. “He loved kids; he loved volunteering and giving back. This [spirit] has developed the whole framework of our business. It’s about kids. About family. About getting outside. It’s about being together.” Iksplor is bluesign® certified, meaning they are part of a conglomerate of businesses who practice responsible and sustainable textile manufacturing. The company is female-owned, employs a U.S.-based, female-owned factory and utilizes a female-owned packaging company that delivers products in Find out more at iksplor.com biodegradable packaging.

“For the first time in years, I get a 25-minute conversation with my daughter on the way home about her day and what she’s learned.”

-Parent Quote

When asked if working as a family has ever posed a challenge, Karissa and Kailey look at each other quizzically. “Not really,” they say simultaneously. “We’ve been hit pretty hard by the universe,” says Karissa. “The only way we know how to get through is together.” Hardship, though painful, seems to have woven a silver lining into the Tuthill family’s fabric. The ladies focus on what matters most. They don’t sweat the small stuff, and they don’t want you to, either. That’s why they pride themselves on leaving a minimal impact on the environment, while creating a great big impact on your littlest wanderlusters. tf

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On the

FARM

AN EFFORT IN FERTILITY Teton gardeners grow year-round food By Molly Absolon // Photography provided

ardening in the winter sounds like an oxymoron for our cold, snowy climate, as most of us—even those who have summer gardens—tend to harvest our produce from the grocery store once the snow begins to fly. But COVID-19 shook us up. Rumors of shortages and problems with distribution triggered a rush on toilet paper, hand sanitizer, food, and other essentials, including vegetable seeds. According to a May 13, 2020 article in Good Housekeeping, Burpee Seeds sold more seeds in March of 2020 than in any time in its 144-year history, and Google Trends, which tracks popular internet searches, reported that interest in gardening reached an all-time high during the same time period. Recession, pandemic, war—hard times get people contemplating their food source. Not only do they want to think and act locally, but more importantly, they want to be sure to have enough food to feed their families. During World War I, Americans were encouraged to grow “victory gardens” to help avoid a national food crisis. Such gardens popped up in people’s backyards, parks, vacant lots, and on school grounds, resulting in more than 5,000,000 new gardens in 1918 alone. It’s hard to put a number on how many new vegetable gardens have sprung up in the Tetons in response to the pandemic, but anecdotally local farmers say they have had more people than ever calling for both their produce and their knowledge. People want to know how to grow their own food, and that includes finding ways to do it in all seasons. Judy Allen has been growing food in the Tetons for 37 years. These days, she cultivates vegetables, root crops, and leafy greens year-round on her farm near the mouth of Darby Canyon in Driggs.

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Always a gardener, Above: Winter snow reflects the sunlight and helps generate heat in Judy Allen’s greenhouse. when she first came to the region from the Midwest, she wanted to start a horticulture program at Red Top Meadows (a residential wilderness treatment center in Wilson). Her boss at the time dismissed the idea, saying, “You know what people grow around here? Radishes.” That was 1983. Since then, many of the region’s gardeners have proved him wrong and are growing all kinds of crops, not only in the summer but throughout the year. Allen says she never buys produce at the grocery store anymore, as the key to her success in the winter is her greenhouse. In fact, this structure—an integral part of her lifestyle—dictated the location, orientation, and design of the home that she and her husband built more than 20 years ago. The temperature can be 20°F outside, but if it’s sunny, Allen’s greenhouse will reach 80°F, and fans blow the excess heat into the house to keep it warm. Allen’s greenhouse is a masterpiece of ingenuity. It faces fifteen degrees southeast to maximize solar gain. Concrete walls surround her planters and extend four or five feet into the ground. The concrete, plus the dirt and rocks that make up the greenhouse floor, provide thermal mass that absorbs and holds heat. Even snow helps generate heat in the space by radiating light off of its surface and into the 300-square-foot space. “I didn’t intend to be a winter gardener, but when I looked at the temperatures in the greenhouse, I thought, let’s give this a whirl,” she says. “It’s fun to be planting when it’s snowing outside.”

The experiment was a success, causing Allen to branch out and try vegetables like greens, snow peas, kale, snap peas, over-winter broccoli (she claims it’s the best broccoli she’s ever tasted), and various other crops. The commonality among all the plants she grows is that they are hardy and can withstand cold temperatures.

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“The lowest temperature I’ve recorded in my greenhouse is about 25 degrees,” she says. “Frost-tolerant crops can handle that. The key thing is you don’t want to try to grow tomatoes. It’s against my religion to heat the greenhouse to grow tomatoes.” Model Model Model

Tomatoes, and other summer crops, require heat to mature, but for winter-hardy plants, it isn’t heat that’s the determining factor in their success; it’s the amount of light in the day. Erica Eschholz, who runs Full Circle Farm near Victor with her husband, Ken Michael, says most plants need at least ten hours of light to grow. Once the length of sunlight in a day drops, which happens in early November at our latitude, plant growth slows. But “slow growth” does not mean “no growth.” Eschholz and Michael say that if you get winter-hardy crops—broccoli, lettuce, kale, bok choy—into the ground in a hoop house by October, they will grow slowly through the winter,

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Duane Mortenson, who owns GrowHuts with his wife Kristin, builds custom greenhouses for local gardeners in his shop south of Driggs. The greenhouses, designed to withstand the rigors of a Teton winter, have been in high demand since the onset of COVID-19. “We bought the business three years ago, and we have never been this busy before,” Mortenson says. “I could have worked all day every day. It’s been epic.” When the pandemic started, Mortenson’s supply chain dried up. To keep his production flow rolling, he flew to Milwaukee, rented a truck, drove to Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and picked up a load of the polycarbonate sheeting he uses for greenhouse panels. Then, he turned around and drove twenty hours back to Teton Valley to start building. Mortenson works full time as a physician’s assistant in Jackson, so his greenhouse building takes place during the evenings and weekends. “I’ve got my clinic brain on, which can be really mental and emotional,” Mortenson says. “Then, I come [to the shop], crank some ’90s alt rock, and make a mess. It’s great therapy.” The mess he makes turns into beautiful handcrafted greenhouses in various sizes that are designed to withstand the rigors of a Teton winter, and provide a place to extend the area’s short growing season.

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Left: Ken Michael displays Full Circle Farms’ flourishing winter greens. Below: Concrete planters surround the walls to help maintain heat in Judy Allen’s greenhouse.

accelerating as the days get longer, and they’ll be ready for harvest in the spring. Fastgrowing plants—arugula, spinach, cilantro—that reach maturity by October can often be cut throughout the winter, giving growers a welcome taste of leafy greens in the middle of our darkest days. To truly have a harvestable crop in the winter, most gardeners rely on some type of greenhouse, but it doesn’t have to be as extravagant as Allen’s. Plenty of farmers in the area have success growing winter crops in much less elaborate structures. Josh Arthur, of Foraging Farmers in Victor, is an enthusiastic advocate of notill farming, which requires an intricate cycle of rotating crops, compost (from his flock of chickens), and complementary planting.

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You can usually find a mushroom or two flourishing underneath the squash plant in his garden, and cilantro or some other quickgrowing herb grows in every empty space between other crops. He says that there were only two weeks last winter when he and his partner, Courtney, did not eat out of their garden. “We have a single-layer poly hoop house,” Arthur says. “If I can get plants to maturity within the 10-hour daylight window, I can keep harvesting into the winter. Then, once the days get longer in February, everything takes off again.” According to Arthur, over-winter crops create sugars that act as a kind of anti-freeze, so everything tastes sweeter. Full Circle’s Michael says it’s not uncommon in January to find plants like carrots and potatoes with their leaves frozen solid. But that’s no reason to panic because under the ground, they are doing just fine. “The plants are dormant,” he says. “Hardy crops can make it through temperatures well below zero. Once the days start getting longer, the plants will come back, and you’ll be eating carrots in the spring.” The idea of eating fresh, homegrown greens in the middle of February is hard for many of us to imagine, but farmers in the Tetons have been doing it for years. It takes a little planning, and maybe a hoop house or greenhouse, to extend your growing season. Most importantly, your personal victory garden keeps you out of the grocery store, insulates you from any shortages or distribution problems, and makes you feel like you are contributing to the vitality of your community during hard and stressful times. tf

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A POLYSEMY OF CULTURE * Plus, healthy winter salads for your holiday table

Teton Family Â¤ Winter 2020/21

SEASON

By Jessa Smout // Photography by Paulette Phlipot

hen we talk about culture, we often refer to people's achievements in art, philosophy, architecture, and music. We expose ourselves to new groups of people when we travel and to their histories and customs. The rich flavors of a place meander through our minds like a walk through a bustling city. The smells and colors assault our senses at first, but then fade over time, much like our commitment to a healthy diet. Our New Age, American diet isn’t known for its health benefits. However, the advantages that we gain from our local food “culture,” and the introduction of fermented foods to our diet, can’t be overlooked. In the past, the rugged Teton mountain area had little to offer in the way of year-round produce. According to Jana Stearns, who grew up behind the counter of Hungry Jack’s in Wilson, Wyoming (founded in 1954), there weren’t a lot of fresh food choices prior to the late 1960s. When I ask Jana what the produce section looked like in those early years, she says, “There were a couple heads of lettuce, bananas, and maybe a tomato.” She remembers when the first avocados arrived (probably from California) “sometime in the mid ’70s.” Today, with the introduction of Slow Food in the Tetons and the many farmers and vendors who work tirelessly during our brief growing season, the local food scene looks very different. Not only do we have trucks delivering fresh foods from all around the world every day, but we also have people like Brent Tyc of Huidekoper Ranch nurturing hundreds of pounds of arugula (and other offerings) to put into our salads. Or, Jonah Sloven and Ben Hawkins at Sweet Hollow Farm in Teton Valley, Idaho, who grew 50-plus pounds of produce a week last summer (their first summer in business). These growers not only show up at summer food stands with thoughtfully cultivated fresh produce, but they also offer up their individual culture, energetic biome, and passion to our residents. Fresh fruits and vegetables are incredibly important in our diet and I understand why, but as time passes and my son gets older, the dishes pile up and I find myself reaching for a box of mac ’n cheese more often. Still, Mary Ryan MS, RDN of Beyond Broccoli Nutrition Counseling and Education in Jackson notes that including even a small serving of fruits and vegetables every day will benefit us more than we realize. But how do we maintain that in the winter? Controlled rot to the rescue! (continued on page 24...) Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

WARM WINTER SALAD Makes three large dinner salads

— Eating warm winter salads can help up your roughage intake during the long, cold months. Here, I take a readily available vegetable combo, cook it up, and serve it on top of arugula in a tiered presentation.

—

FOR THE SALAD

½ large, red cabbage ½ sweet, yellow onion ¼ cup olive oil 8 ounces tempeh 2 cloves garlic 2 medium tomatoes 1 tablespoon Bragg’s Liquid Aminos 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms 3 cups arugula

¼ cup apple cider vinegar ½ tablespoon Bragg’s Liquid Aminos 1 clove garlic ½ inch fresh ginger ¼ cup parsley ¾ cup olive oil

FOR THE DRESSING

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FOR THE SALAD Cut cabbage into 3 large, round “steaks” and cut onion into 3 thick wedges. Massage the cabbage and onion with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on medium-high heat for about 15 minutes. (You want them browned and caramelized, but not too soft.) Store in a warm oven. Cut tempeh into 1/4-inch strips. Cut tomatoes and mushrooms into quarters. Dice garlic. Heat a pan with 3 tablespoons of olive oil; add the tempeh. Sear both sides until golden brown, and then add tomatoes. Add aminos and mushrooms. Allow to simmer, stirring gently, and don’t let the tempeh fall apart. Build the salad by starting with a bed of arugula, then add the cabbage and onion, followed by the tempeh medley and a light drizzle of herbed dressing.

FOR THE DRESSING In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients except for the olive oil. Turn it on and drizzle in the oil to combine.

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Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Winter 2021 Â¤ Teton Family

THANKSGIVING SALAD Serves 4 to 6

— Add a new tradition to your Thanksgiving table by serving this savory, whole grain salad as a side. (This dish also provides a hearty alternative for any vegetarians at your table.)

— FOR THE SALAD

1 cup whole oat berries (oat groats) 1 ¼ cup water sea salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 ounces oyster mushrooms (from Morning Dew Mushrooms) 2 leeks, sliced and rinsed 3 ounces blue cheese FOR THE DRESSING 2 teaspoons fresh tarragon (chopped) 1 ⁄8 cup plain Kombucha (homemade or store bought) ¼ cup parsley 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 ⁄8 teaspoon salt lemon zest ½ cup olive oil 22

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

2. 3. 4. 5.

FOR THE SALAD Bring water, oat berries, and 1/8 tsp salt to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, decrease heat, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. (You want them tender but still firm.) Set aside for 10 minutes, and then strain. In the same pan, add olive oil, mushrooms, leeks, and a pinch of salt. Sauté on medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Turn the heat to low and add strained oat berries. Add dressing and 2 ounces of blue cheese. Gently stir until the cheese is just melted. Divide into plates and top with additional blue cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.

FOR THE DRESSING In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients except for the olive oil. Turn it on and drizzle in the oil to combine.

EASY JAR FERMENT —

“A jar filled with any raw food submerged under liquid will ferment.” — Sandor Katz

—

Use all or any combination of the following: cabbage, carrots, onion, radish, turnips, beets, or jalapeños. 1. In a 24-ounce, widemouth, glass jar, add vegetables, ¼ cup lime or lemon juice, 1 to 2 tablespoons salt, and water to cover. 2. Line the lid with parchment paper, close, and leave on the counter for 1 to 2 weeks. Watch the pressure, unscrewing the lid and relieving, as needed. 3. Refrigerate and eat a little every day after it is finished.

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Made from “cultures” (i.e. a community of microbes that perform fermentation), fermented foods are a great way to continue eating the summer harvest, even when the last cabbage was picked months ago. Poa Van Sickle, owner of Daily Roots, a health and wellness coaching business, tells us that because fermented foods are predigested, it’s easier to “assimilate the nutrients of a particular food.” In fact, the term, “I feel it in my gut” takes on a whole new meaning when you start to understand that what goes on in our bellies affects our mood. “Gut health, brain health, and overall health are intricately connected,” says Annie Fenn M.D. of Brain Health Kitchen. “You can't have one without the others being in good shape, too. The best way to achieve all three: Feed your gut microbiota [aka, the 29 trillion microbes that live in your body] the food they need to thrive. It may sound gross, but these tiny organisms that live mostly in the large intestine rely on the digested bits of what we eat—prebiotics. … This only comes from eating a wide variety of whole foods every day: raw, cooked, and fermented. … In return, a healthy gut microbiome will return the favor by producing postbiotics—biologically active antioxidants, enzymes, and [feel-good] neurotransmitters, like serotonin, 90 percent of which come from the gut.” A fresh cabbage can potentially last months in a cool, dark cellar, or even a refrigerator. Carrots, turnips, radishes, beets, onions, and garlic can be fermented, dried, frozen, or cellared. Greens can be cooked into soups, frozen, and enjoyed in the darkest, coldest months of the year. With a colorful rainbow of locally produced food, passionate farmers, and preservation modalities, you can bet my pantry will be stocked for winter. I think of it as my addition to my community’s (and my body’s) culture, as I create new dishes to place on my holiday table. tf

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Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Wellness WIRED

FOSTERING A COMMUNITY IMMUNE SYSTEM By Cate Stillman // Photograhy by Price Chambers

like eating donuts. When you exercise in the morning, rather than eating donuts, you build resiliency. When community leaders encourage residents to participate in immune-strengthening activities, such as exercising outdoors and building relationships with local food producers, our population—or community immune system—becomes stronger.

Some communities were hit harder than others in terms of severity of symptoms and death, while others remained fairly unscathed. Factors of healthy living such as time spent in nature (increases vitamin D), exercising rather than smoking (builds strong lungs), and eating real food versus fast food (achieving a healthy body weight) separated resilience from vulnerability. As Hippocrates taught almost 2,500 years ago, “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease, than to know what sort of disease a person has.”

My time spent as a holistic medicine practitioner for almost two decades has taught me that some people empower themselves to create the body and life they want, while others do not. Some people respond to the natural stress of aging, a failing immune system, or mounting stress with a “pill and a bill” mentality, thus needing an outside agent to fix their unsound choices. Studying why certain populations are healthier than others, or how certain populations age well and remain in good health—despite the continual proliferation of virus adaptation— provides actionable insight into a healthier community immune system.

Can a community develop a strong immune system? And, if so, can ours?

hese are questions we ask ourselves in the new age of COVID-19 and as travelers from viral-infected areas move in and out of our valleys.

The Bodily Ecosystem An ecosystem is a mix of interconnected relationships, interdependent upon each other. The human body is an organism that acts like an ecosystem—all organs, tissues, and cells are connected and dependent on one another. If a person develops resilience to viruses and all other sorts of hardships, then the opposite is also true. As terrain theorist Antoine Béchamp taught, “Germs seek their natural habitat—diseased tissue—rather than being the cause of diseased tissue.” Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and is built by prioritizing long-term goals, like health, over short-term desires,

How do we grow a community’s resilience? The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we rise and fall together, right? Then, with a few mindful measures we can protect ourselves holistically from whatever nature throws at us. Change your response to stress.

Our ability to choose our response to new stresses—individually and communally—is key, as stress, when handled in a way that quells the excitement of the nervous system, can generate adaptation and positive change. A strong immune system relies on a strong nervous system and a positive mind. Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

Enroll your child today!

Yogis know this and invest time each morning developing their nerves and reconditioning mental stress through deep breathing practices. In winter, these practices are done outside to develop even stronger nerves. When you use your lungs to calm and direct your mind and optimize your emotions, you generate a relaxation response in your body. This cultivates an adaptive response to stress. If a community can train itself to respond to stress without automatically deferring to “fight or flight“ mode (a default response we’re seeing in COVID times), then that community can become more resilient to its stressor.

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Connect locally to diversify your microbiome.

A resilient immune system relies on diversity, specifically a diversity in the body’s microbiome (its good bacteria). In 2012, the National Institutes of Health’s Human Microbiome Project mapped the bacteria of human bodies. A healthy community of bacteria is found throughout the body and lives primarily in your skin, your lungs, and your digestive tract. In fact, microorganisms in the human body outnumber human cells at a 10:1 ratio, yet make up only 1 to 3 percent of your body’s mass, according to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) “Role of viruses in human evolution.” Scientists are working to discover the relationship between microbiota and its role on viral evasion. What they have found is that chronic negative stress increases the fight or flight response, generating chronic inflammation and eroding the microbiome alongside our bodies’ adaptive immune system. Additionally, as stated in a 2017 study published by Nature Reviews Immunology, hyper-sanitary habits, like using hand sanitizer, combined with the overuse of antibiotics and the Standard American Diet (SAD diet), all

THE COMMUNITY IMMUNE SYSTEM TO-DO LIST

—

COMMUNITY NERVES • • •

COMMUNITY LUNGS

Helpful books

• •

for all stages of

•

parenting AT THE

Throughout the day, take a moment to relax your mind through meditation or deep breathing Think big about the possibilities for our community and regional opportunities Commit to adapting to new stresses together

Exercise outdoors year-round Breathe deeply every morning through your nose while exercising or stretching Plant trees COMMUNITY HEART

• • •

Reflect on your purpose in life Connect your purpose to how you connect with your community Live the values that focus your care on where you live COMMUNITY GUT

• • •

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

Eat your ecosystem Love your farmers Learn about locally foraged food

destroy the microbiome, which can lead to the onset of autoimmune diseases. Lastly, living in isolation can weaken your adaptive immune system due to a lack of exposure to good germs. However, if you are high-risk, isolation is a good short-term measure to ward off viruses while building your microbiome.

full of bliss is called a healthy person.” — Sushruti Samhita. This definition has stood the test of thousands of years.

Today, the importance of having healthy digestion and waste elimination, as well as a clear mind, is the key to surviving a new virus. Being established in your absolute nature—or Self—means Conversely, our adaptive immune system becomes stronger and you are firmly rooted in your purpose and your needs today. To more intelligent with exposure. In fact, petting your dog, then picking put this into practice, take a few moments in the early morning to your nose, then holding your reflect on the day you want to child’s hand, actually increases have and the habits you want to the diversity of you microbiome cultivate. Then, at the end of the “In fact, petting your dog, then picking your and strengthens your immunity day, reflect on your purposes and (according to a study done by the nose, then holding your child's hand, actually how you did. Mentally rehearse University of Colorado). Exposure how you want things to go increases the diversity of your microbiome and to pathogens, such as viruses, tomorrow. strengthens your immunity.” bacteria, and parasites is known After the Cold War, global to be important in preventing military theorists predicted autoimmune diseases. When you the world would become increasingly VUCA: volatile, uncertain, pet your neighbor’s dog or your child drinks from her friend’s water bottle, you start to share good germs regionally. complex, and ambiguous. The same thing is happening during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we’ve witnessed the disruption of both our Establish your sense of Self. daily life and a global economy. VUCA isn’t predicted to go away. Ayurveda—a 5,000-plus-year-old Indian holistic health science— So, given what is, how do we adapt to become more resilient? has terminology we don’t have in our language. The Ayurvedic definition of health, which is reliant on a healthy immune system, The seat of power for a strong immune system is the power of is both holistic and specific: choice. You get to choose how you form your bodily tissues and how well your body eliminates waste. You choose what feeds your “One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas mind, your soul, and your senses. The more you see yourself as an (primary life force), balanced agni (fire of digestion), properly formed interconnected microcosm and our community as an interconnected dhatus (tissues), proper elimination of malas (waste products), wellmacrocosm, the more aware you become of your place in the web. tf functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul, and senses are

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Vaping is a nicotine delivery system. Nicotine is highly addictive. Have you developed a dependence on Nicotine? • Do you need to vape more often to feel the initial effects? You may have developed a tolerance to nicotine.

• Do you feel uncomfortable symptoms that often drive you back to vaping, despite knowing the risk of nicotine? Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are poor concentration, irritability, cravings, or sleep issues. Tolerance and withdrawal are signs of dependence that can lead to addiction.

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Table TALK

NOT TOO BAD … FOR A (RAD) MOM By Deb Barracato // Photography by Kathryn Ziesig

y nerves hummed as I watched the women in my Rad Moms group disappear one by one into a short chute leading into The Cirque at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR). What was I thinking? I looked around for an escape, but volunteer coach Lauren Roux provided just the right words of encouragement to convince me to go for it. “You don’t have to do it, but I know you can,” she said. I’m not sure my descent qualified as skiing. 28

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

I know it wasn’t graceful. But when I finally reached the opening at the bottom and could make a smooth turn, the others hooted and hollered as if I had blazed right through. That’s the purpose and power behind the Jackson Hole Babe Force, a group of badass women who volunteer their time and talents to empower other ladies to seek adventure in the mountains. Crystal Wright, a former Freeride World Tour competitor and lifelong Jackson Hole resident, launched the Babe Force in 2012

as a sort of feminist response to the allmale Jackson Hole Air Force, a group of avid skiers whose epic powder pursuits helped open the boundaries at JHMR in the late ’90s. Originally, the group utilized an informal call-tree to announce mountain meetups for women skiers, then the Babe Force secured 501c3 status and started raising money for scholarships to send women to avalanche safety courses and skills camps, and to support custom mountain adventures. Roux is secretary of

The Babe Force Rad Moms took to the slopes at JHMR. For some, finding time to ski without their kids was a challenge, making this a well-deserved experience. Pictured left to right: Bridgette Guild, Megan Slater, Lauren Roux (coach), Deb Barracato, Amanda Moyer and Crystal Wright (coach).

the all-volunteer board. When I moved to the Tetons in December of 1992, I had no skiing experience and little interest in it. I followed my college roommate here for the adventure. But, when in Rome … I jammed my feet into a pair of rearentry boots someone’s ex-girlfriend had left in a garage, borrowed an old pair of rental skis, rescued some poles with bright orange feet-shaped baskets out of the lost and found, and followed friends onto the Bannock lift at Grand Targhee Resort. It was a typical low-visibility, deep powder day at The Ghee, and thankfully someone suggested we get off at mid-mountain (back when there was a mid-mountain lift

shack). Still, by the time I made it to the bottom, my REI raincoat was packed with snow, and I was too tired to even consider trying another run.

would be happy to have me along. But could I keep up?

During the remainder of that first winter, I purchased a bona fide ski coat and learned to make turns. Then, what was supposed to be a four-month hiatus in Driggs turned into a summer stint, one more winter skiing, another summer, and then winters started stacking up until my skiing improved to the point that I could manage most runs in any conditions at Targhee.

Serendipitously, I saw a Facebook post for a scholarship application to the Rad Moms program, a course that provides a day of ski coaching and female fellowship at The Village. Happy for the temporary diversion from work, I applied on a whim, not really expecting to be chosen. If selected, however, it would be my first formal lesson and one of only a handful of ski days at JHMR in all the 28 seasons I’ve spent in the Tetons.

Last winter, I realized my 12-year-old son wasn’t excited to ski with me anymore. I figured if I offered to film him and his friends as they “sessioned jumps,” they

I spent a sunshiny morning in January, along with four other “rad moms” and coaches Crystal and Lauren, skiing drills in the bowls and working on my form. I Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

learned how to correct my stance for different conditions and find the power in my hips and glutes. In the afternoon, I tested my new confidence in the bumps, through the trees, and even with a couple of jumps. Though it wavered temporarily when I saw the tight line through the chute, I still felt myself deserving of the celebratory champagne at the end of the day. Accepting the scholarship given to me by the Babe Force nudged me to go outside my comfort zone. Mission accomplished.

Costa Rica, and, most recently, sent me through Class III rapids on the Main Salmon in my inflatable kayak. I will never be the gnarliest skier, the fastest hiker, or betterthan-a-beginner surfer, but I will always be the one willing to give it a go.

You see, growing up, I went to many amusement parks with my family. My dad loved all the rides, including the roller coasters. My mom mostly spent the day sitting on benches with her purse in her lap, waiting on us. I decided then that I didn’t want to live my life on the sidelines. I wanted to be wholly in it—be the person who goes for it, even when it seems scary or uncertain. It sometimes takes work to maintain that attitude, but the reward has always made the effort worthwhile.

As my ski day with the Babe Force drew near, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the group. I guessed I might be the oldest, and I knew I wasn’t in tip-top shape. But I refreshed that childhood mindset and showed up at the base at the appointed time. The women ranged in age from mid-20s to me, 52, all with children from infants to teens. But age just didn’t matter. It was about sharing the thrill of adventure in the mountains and encouraging each other to go for it, without judgement.

It’s the same mindset that carried me to an elevation of 16,400 feet while trekking in the Himalayas, got me onto a surfboard in

Corbet’s Couloir did not make my bucket list, but I returned to The Village for more skiing adventure the very next weekend. Waiting on the Tram Dock for my first time ever, I thought about how happy I was that I took the chance and applied for the Rad Moms scholarship. If not for my empowering experience with the Babe Force, I might have skipped that day’s run down Rendezvous Bowl. tf

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BECOME A BACKYARD CITIZEN SCIENTIST Distance-Learning, Teton Style

By Tibby Plasse // Illustrations by Julie Millard

hen you look outside your window, the view on either side of the Tetons is a good one. It’s become clear during this new era of pandemic restrictions that we’re really lucky to be living in a land of many uses. Yes, the recreation is unmatched, but on a deeper examination of the surrounding lands and water, something else becomes apparent—the greater Yellowstone region always has something to teach us. Too often we quarantine (no pun intended) learning experiences to the classroom, a museum, or the park, but when you live in

the mountains, the opportunity to observe, explore, experiment, and inquire usually doesn’t require getting into the car; you can become a citizen scientist just by walking out your front door. By adopting the role of a scientist, you can engage in public data collection and contribute to real government-sponsored projects, while also fulfilling a homeschool or distance-learning science requirement. You and your family can do it on your terms, too, finding ways to work with a plethora of Teton-based organizations that champion conservation and biological diversity.

Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

THE CITIZEN HYDROLOGIST With the Snake and Teton Rivers in close proximity to our daily commutes, many of us forget to stop and look at the water. Our local hydrological features not only offer beautiful spots for summertime play, they harbor all sorts of wonders in the wintertime, too. Being at the headwaters of one of the most managed bodies of water in the world makes for an amazing classroom. There are abundant public access points where you can explore beaver dams, cottonwood galleries, and bald eagle and moose habitat. The Teton watershed has a deep impact on agriculture, too—an influence that relies heavily on our snowpack. “The snowpack has an enormous impact on our water

THE CITIZEN BIOLOGIST After considering the weather, the water, and the snowpack, observe the regions’ inhabitants by looking for tracks and identifying the availability of winter vegetation. A great place to begin your trek is with the resources made possible by the Teton Valley Trails and Pathways and the Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance. Maps to ungroomed trails provide safe access to routes that are off the beaten path where you’re more likely to find animal tracks and hear “neighborhood chatter.” Or, team up with a naturalist at Grand Targhee Resort or Grand Teton National Park. “There are so many opportunities for backyard classroom learning around Teton Valley,” says Brigid Sinram, Grand Targhee’s onsite naturalist. “An animal’s daily wanderings and

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

supply,” says Zena Wolcott-MacCausland, Community Outreach Coordinator for Friends of the Teton River (FTR). “And setting up a snow observation station is a great way to begin a rudimentary understanding of that impact. It’s fairly simple, too, and can be done in multiple locations.” A budding scientist would want to know: 1.) How much snow (precipitation) has fallen? 2.) How much water is in the snow? 3.) What kind of snow has fallen—stellar snow or grapple? Digging a pit is an easy way to examine both the snowpack and the micro-weather climates in and around Jackson Hole and Teton Valley, Idaho. It’s also a great way to engage your children in avalanche science and lay down a foundation for a safer understanding of winter recreation. A snow pit reveals layers of the snowpack and the type of precipitation that has fallen. With numerous microclimates, from gulches to canyons to riverbeds, every area shows something different. Partner with friends in different areas of the valley and set up weather stations for observation. What you find up Cache Creek in Wyoming is not going to be the same as what you may see in Darby Canyon in Idaho.

behaviors are an open book because of the tracks they leave behind in the snow. Larger animals leave more obvious signs, but the smaller critter leaves subtle clues as well.” Snowshoes are worth the investment if you’re interested in winter wildlife, but you can also rent them at ski shops or at Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Another location for wildlife sleuthing and ski or snowshoe touring is Idaho’s Harriman State Park located in Island Park, Idaho. This park offers more than 25 miles of groomed trails. Trails run alongside the Henry’s Fork, Silver Lake, and through Lodgepole forests to Golden Lake with plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of river otters and coyotes, and to learn about how the Union Pacific Railroad once owned the property (from 1902 to 1977). “Our trails are open for recreational use in the winter,” says Morgan Smith, the park’s naturalist. “We groom for fat biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. Plus, we have several self-guided activities that are great for junior rangers.” During the spring quarantine, Smith developed scavenger hunts and self-guided explorations for kids of all ages, allowing them to find animal tracks, discover the geology of Mesa Falls, and learn about Trumpeter Swans.

THE CITIZEN ASTRONOMER Harriman State Park, along with Curtis Canyon, Snow King, and most of our backyards offer an ideal place to observe the night sky. This fall and winter there are several galactic events to put on your calendar. The Leonids meteor shower will take place November 16 to 18. The Leonids only occur every 33 years and are considered a prolific meteor shower, taking its namesake from its proximity to

THE CITIZEN ART CONSERVATIONIST With so much to do outside, sometimes it’s nice to take an educational moment inside. The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA), a unique hybrid of art and conservation, supports a selfdirected curriculum. NMWA considers homeschooling families or distance learners on par with formal educators, so programming for homeschoolers is free. The “learn” tab on the museum’s website provides a curated and plentiful combination of resources and exercises for students from preschool

the constellation Leo. The Great Orion Nebula will be visible all winter when using binoculars, and the Andromeda Galaxy will be visible to the naked eye all winter long, as well. Wyoming Stargazing, a local astronomy nonprofit, offers several stargazing programs as well as tools for novice star-watchers to explore the cosmos. With more and more educators adapting to COVID-19 safety protocols, Wyoming Stargazing has developed four virtual programs and a free YouTube channel. “We have a virtual stargazing programming that’s a live feed from local astrophotographer, Mike Adler’s observatory,” says Samuel Singer, director and founder of Wyoming Stargazing. “We also have a podcast called ‘Looking Up,’ and another one called ‘Mind Blowing Astronomy,’ which is a deep-dive into theories where we take questions and answer them, and then my personal favorite, ‘Sci-Fi Explained,’ where we take films and dissect the scientific validity in the plots.”

through high school. “We work with 4,500-plus students, offering prepackaged programs and digital engagement,” says Lisa Simmons, associate curator of Education and Outreach. Check out their new Bisoncast YouTube channel or take a virtual tour of their sculpture trail. “We’re trying to make our programming and art as accessible as possible.” NMWA has an app that features audio tours that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home. As an added bonus, there’s a Spanish translation link for all available online materials, including the 3/4-mile-long sculpture trail audio tour. Another free and self-guided activity is their Plein Air art experience, including a visual study of the neighboring Elk Refuge. Ironically, COVID-19, which on the surface seems to make our resources more limited, has given us more time and reasons to check out our neighborhoods. Coupled with the changed-up game plans of local organizations, our social-distancing protocol has brought many learning opportunities to our fingertips. tf

A FEW CITIZEN SCIENTIST LOCAL RESOURCES IN JACKSON: Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation’s Nature Mapping jhwildlife.org/our-work/nature-mapping Jackson Hole Land Trust Open Space Adventures jhlandtrust.org/open-space-adventures Teton Raptor Center Classroom Programs tetonraptorcenter.org/programs/classroom

—

IN IDAHO: Friends of the Teton River’s Resources for Teachers tetonwater.org/learn/teachers Teton Regional Land Trust Teacher Trunks tetonlandtrust.org/engage/outdoor-education Idaho State Park’s Junior Ranger Program parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/activities/learning#js-tab-6 Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

GETTING

EVEN Using Adaptogens as Food Written and Photographed by Paulette Phlipot 34

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Stressed? Overwhelmed? Easily distracted? Have you thought about enlisting the help of an adaptogen?

According to herbal medicine, an adaptogen is “a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes.” This category of herbs, fungi, and berries piqued my interest a few years back when I noticed recipes and skincare products boasting adaptogens. I was already familiar with the common ones, like turmeric, ginseng, nettles, and maca, but not with schisandra berries, eleuthero, rhodiola, and bacopa. To be honest, I didn’t quite understand why these plants, fruit, and mushrooms earned such rockstar status. So, armed with a pile of library books in hand, my quest began to discover the benefits and possible side effects of these elusive healers, while figuring out how to add them safely into my family’s meals. In my studies, I learned that the Soviet Union takes the claim for creating the classification “adaptogen.” Russian scientists were on a quest to find substances that would improve the performance of both their military personnel and their athletes. They trimmed their focus to specific herbs that increased resistance to stress. Many of these herbs’ uses date back thousands of years to ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, but were never classified until Nikolai V. Lazarev, a Soviet toxicologist and pharmacologist, created the word “adaptogen” from the Latin word “adapter,” which means “to adjust.” Adaptogens respond moment to moment to our physiology. If you are overstimulated, they calm you. If you are overtired, they provide needed energy. So, maybe you want to boost your speed skinning up the mountain, improve your athletic focus, build immunity, or better handle holiday stress? Then, consider including adaptogens to your mix. Adaptogens are available as teas, extracts, capsules, powders, and tinctures, as well as in the whole form. I prefer finding creative ways to incorporate these powerhouses into my family’s meals and snacks. (Plus, it’s the safest way to consume them.) Before you start pouring them by the spoonful into your coffee or morning smoothie, though, it is important to check with your healthcare professional, especially if you are on medications, have liver or kidney concerns, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. And do remember, too much of a good thing does not always mean better. Also, be mindful of the time of day you enjoy adaptogens, as some can be stimulating, like ginseng and rhodiola. Since adaptogens have the ability to affect the endocrine and hormonal systems, don’t dump them on your teen’s nightly bowl of popcorn, either. (Although maca and honey over popcorn does taste great!) In fact, use care when giving adaptogens to children in general, as their endocrine systems are still developing. Although adaptogens can be life-changing, it is important to do your homework and be patient. This is not a one time, quick fix. The effects of these potent herbs and fungi are subtle and gentle and build up over time. Discuss a specific protocol with your natural healthcare provider for best results, and try creating delicious recipes that include adaptogens, no capsules needed. tf Flip for recipes Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

IMMUNITY MISO IMMUNE SOUP WITH ASTRAGALUS BALLS Serves 2 to 3; makes 12 balls

— In Eastern medicine, astragalus is known as a chi, or energy, tonic. Astragalus root strengthens digestion and supports the immune system. Use it in times when your body feels run down. FOR THE SOUP: 4 to 6 cups water 1 burdock root, sliced 2 cups fresh shiitake mushrooms, chopped 1 bunch kale, shredded 1 package firm tofu (14 ounces), cubed 4 Miso Immune Soup Balls *recipe on next page 1 carrot, thinly sliced 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

— 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

In a saucepan, heat the water on medium-high until it comes to a boil. Add the burdock root and shiitake mushrooms, reduce the heat to medium, and allow the mixture to simmer, covered, for at least 15 minutes, or until veggies are tender. As the burdock root and mushrooms cook, add in the kale and tofu, and allow to cook for the last five minutes. Just before you turn off the heat, add the Miso Immune Soup Balls one by one to taste, using a whisk to quickly emulsify. Divide the soup between the bowls and top with the carrot and green onion slices.

FOR THE BALLS:

¼ ¼ 2 2 1

Place the seaweed and sesame seeds into a food processor or coffee grinder. Pulse until roughly ground. In a large mixing bowl, and using a wooden spoon or spatula, combine the mixture with the miso, astragalus powder, and ginger. Using the palms of your hands (ideally wet to prevent sticking), roll the paste into 2-inch balls and place in an airtight container with parchment paper to separate the layers. You will use them like bouillon cubes. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

cup dried wakame seaweed cup black sesame seeds cups miso paste tablespoons astragalus powder 3-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

* Recipe adapted from The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook, Roost Books, 2020

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ENHANCE MY ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE TRUFFLES Makes 12

— These truffles are a powerful combination of performanceenhancing adaptogens. They’re designed to help an athlete perform at his or her peak, gain incredible stamina and endurance, and recover at an optimal rate.

—

¼ ½ ¼ ½ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 1

cup coconut oil cup raw cocoa powder cup maple syrup teaspoon Himalayan pink sea salt teaspoon ashwagandha powder teaspoon cordyceps powder (can sub chaga) teaspoon ginseng powder teaspoon rhodiola rosea powder tablespoon almond or cashew milk

ADULT S ONLY

TOPPINGS:

2 tablespoons cacao nibs, crushed 2 tablespoons freeze-dried raspberries, crushed

In a small saucepan, warm the coconut oil until just melted. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, salt, and all adaptogen powders. Stir to combine. Add in the nut milk. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator and chill, covered, for 10 minutes. With wet hands, roll the sticky mixture into 12 balls, then roll in the toppings. Place on a parchment-lined tray and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before eating.

2. 3. 4. 5.

* Recipe adapted from Adaptogens: A Directory of Over 70 Healing Herbs for Energy, Stress Relief, Beauty, and Overall Well-Being, Chartwell Books, 2020 38

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

ource You can s ders most pow ) at le or bulk u s p a c n (i er, hole Groc Jackson W d Bins, Barrels an ste or at starw .com. botanicals

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Teton Family Â¤ Winter 2020/21

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WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you are new to adaptogens or just trying to remember which adaptogen does what, pick up a copy of Adaptogens: A Directory of Over 70 Healing Herbs for Energy, Stress Relief, Beauty, and Overall Well-Being by Melissa Petitto, R.D. This book is filled with unique recipes for drinks, soups, sauces, and desserts. You will find yourself referencing it often. The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook: Everyday Herbalism and Recipes for Radical Wellness, by Sarah Kate Benjamin and Summer Ashley Singletary, goes far beyond simply opening your eyes (and mouth) to great adaptogenic recipes. It’s filled with garden wisdom and life encouragement and is guided by the five elements of Ayurveda: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. This book also includes luscious skincare recipes, too!

GOOD-FOR-MY-GUT WALNUT SPREAD Makes 1 cup

—

This homemade walnut spread incorporates burdock root and hawthorn berry powders. It’s great on toast, pancakes, and waffles. Burdock is especially great if you’re taking antibiotics: It helps restore the gut back to homeostasis.

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— 1 cup sprouted walnuts 2 teaspoons maple syrup 1 ½ teaspoon burdock root powder 1 teaspoon hawthorn berry powder ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink sea salt 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom 1. 2.

Add the walnuts to the bowl of a food processor and pulse eight to 10 times to break the walnuts down into smaller pieces. Add in the maple syrup, burdock, hawthorn berry, cinnamon, sea salt, and cardamom and blend on high for three to five minutes or until the mixture resembles a nut butter. Scrape the sides, as needed. Keep in an airtight glass container for three to five days.

* Recipe adapted from Adaptogens: A Directory of Over 70 Healing Herbs for Energy, Stress Relief, Beauty, and Overall Well-Being, Chartwell Books, 2020

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Bored of the

Bias Three women-led companies level the playing field

By Christina Shepherd McGuire // Photography by Shannon Corsi

Teton Family Â¤ Winter 2020/21

Empowerment: the process of becoming stronger and more confident

Liberation: freedom from limits on thought or behavior

Permission: consent; authorization

o me, each of these words, and the feeling that goes along with them, describes the human plight. “Empowerment” gives us strength. “Liberation” helps us transcend. And “permission” … well, “permission” just offers us grace. If we could point our life’s arrow at a board with each word clearly sighted in our target scope, what would we aim to become?

Susan Pieper’s indestructible DMOS shovels landed her a stronghold in the motorsports industry.

I wonder if this question crossed the minds of the three female business owners I cherry-picked to teach me more about the underlying meanings of these expressions—words that emerged in the era of the women’s lib movement, but have grown to take on a fashionable tone, as forming a connection to consumerism grows more and more imperative.

Empowerment: Doing. My. Own. Sh*#. Susan Pieper, owner and founder of DMOS Collective in Alpine, Wyoming embraces the Jackson Hole “send it” attitude. This stepmother to three and mother of one launched her shovel company in 2015 with a Kickstarter campaign centered on her youngest son Steven’s X Games spirit. “Steven wanted to be Travis Rice. He was the one building jumps out of snow and dirt and sending it,” says Pieper, as she explains how she and Steven are cut from the same cloth. “Me, on the other hand, I tend to start companies midcareer, so that’s a different type of ‘sending it,’ ” she jokes. Steven continuously broke shovels while crafting “kickers” in their Wyoming backyard, causing Pieper to brainstorm her creation—a portable terrain shovel meant for building backcountry ski and snowboard jumps. Backed by pro snowboarder, Travis Rice, DMOS’s Kicker Shovel won Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

Pieper rallies her tricked-out Toyota 4Runner over the St. Anthony Sand Dunes in Idaho.

an industry award, gained a pro-athlete following, and set the company on a path to becoming the most successfully crowdfunded shovel in the world. As her products gained steam, the need to bring manufacturing back to the States grew apparent. In 2017, she partnered with a factory in Portland, Oregon, and a “collective” of professional users to build shovels that were full-size and packable, and outperformed and outlasted anything currently found on the market. Today, DMOS’s shovels are used roadside, on snow, on job sites, and by off-road race teams, the military and law enforcement, landscapers, and ski resort professionals. DMOS recognizes, “If your tool fails, then the job is over, the adventure is cut short, or worse.” Pieper’s quality products and mental toughness have landed her a stronghold in the motorsports industry, an industry largely dominated by male participants and male-owned businesses. “In the men’s world that I play in, it is more pronounced that I am a woman,” says Pieper. “I’m five years in, and I still get men saying they don’t think our shovels are 44

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

strong. … They would never say that to me if I was Bear Grylls.”

are skilled craftsman, and I think that's a worthy trade.”

Pieper took the many years of negative commentary, treated it as respectfully as she could, and then proved the naysayers wrong by setting unwavering values for her company, which include democracy, sustainability, and innovation of design.

Pieper prides herself on creating a product that supports sustainable consumerism and stands the test of time. Ninety percent of DMOS’s products are made of aircraft aluminum, which is lightweight, strong, rust-proof, and one of the most recyclable materials in the world. And if a DMOS shovel is ever rendered useless (even though it’s crafted not to be), you can recycle it.

“To me, democracy means: How many jobs can I create that hit that sweet spot— jobs where people are designers, engineers, and e-commerce marketers?” says Pieper. “In today’s factories, workers are using state-of-the-art computers, whether they’re making a shovel or an iPhone case. They

But it’s the innovation of design that makes Pieper’s priorities stand out. DMOS’s shovels look vastly different from other portable shovels on the market. They fit

effortlessly inside the footwell of a car or truck or alongside a flair, gloves, a headlamp, and other safety accessories needed for winter driving. And they’re rackable on DMOS's patented mounts for truck beds, spare tires, and vehicle roofs. “I want to empower people to be able to save themselves and to do their own sh*#,” says Pieper. Pieper lives out her company’s motto by challenging herself both in her business and personal life. For the past two years, she’s competed in the Rebelle Rally, a women-specific, off-road rally event. This past season, she held the role of co-driver and navigator, partnering with a Jeep Rubicon driver who’s also a skydiver, mountain climber, mom, and a Ph.D. She approaches her race navigation role with the same tenacity as she does her business: head down in a map, plotting points, doing math all day long, and proving the worth of her personhood.

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Cassie Abel is on a mission to teach her son Sawyer that gender roles are a thing of the past.

on the saddle postpartum, and raising quality humans. Abel writes, “I was barely able to exercise during those nine months. It took me weeks to so much as walk around the block postpartum. I skied groomers … but at every little bump, I felt like my insides might just fall out. … That’s the real talk of my journey that I believe we miss in this internet-perfect world we’re living in.” Peruse Wild Rye’s Instagram feed and you’ll encounter the same sense of “realness,” with a photo of a team ambassador breast pumping trailside and a nod to the woes of not having toilet paper in the backcounty (despite the provided outhouse). By saying what often goes unsaid and instead becomes masked by the “rad factor,” Wild Rye creates brand alignment with women who celebrate the femininity of sport.

Liberation: Supporting a Gender-Balanced Industry “Wild Rye is a brand that speaks to all women,” says Ketchum, Idahobased Cassie Abel, owner of Wild Rye women’s-specific technical apparel. The company, created with the mission of providing a welcoming and inclusive access point for women to get outside, crafts beautiful and technical mountain biking apparel and merino wool layering pieces for women. It was founded in 2016 by Abel and former business partner Katy Hover-Smoot, and has recently transitioned to a “team of one” (with some full-time help, of course), as Hover-Smoot stepped down and a soon-to-be mom Abel took over. Having a baby and taking over a business at the same time proved challenging for Abel, but it also gave her an alternative perspective on the “women in the outdoors” conversation. Wild Rye’s blog, ground zero for the war stories of active women, covers topics like women’s health, overcoming the fear of outdoor sports, and highlights the post “Ode to the Fifth Trimester and Beyond” where six mothers tap into the struggles of pregnancy, getting back

“I think there's a lot of work to be done [to support women] on many levels in the outdoor industry,” say Abel. “Often, [Wild Rye] is looked to by big bike brands for how to do the women's segment right. They want us to succeed because the industry realizes that more women participants is good for everyone. … Still, women need to be spoken to differently.” Abel takes her mission one step further with a movement called Women Led Wednesday, her invention of a new holiday (similar to Giving Tuesday or Cyber Monday) and website (womenledwednesday.com) where brands like Title Nine and Carve Designs encourage consumers to shop with other women-led companies. Through this platform, Abel fights for gender diversity in the corporate setting and uses her fleet of small companies to prove that “rising tides lift all ships.” This leadership trait that Abel portrays throughout her brand’s spirit is one she models in her personal life, as well. “I am really excited to show my son, Sawyer, what a strong female leader looks like,” says Abel. “Women and men are equal, and the gender roles of the past are not the gender roles of today. I think this is super important to pass onto little boys.” Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

Permission: Thinking Outside of the Box Amy Hatch of Garage Grown Gear (GGG) has entrepreneurship running deep within her veins. She’s know “since forever” that someday she would own and run her own business. Founded in 2013, Garage Grown Gear speaks to the ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking community by spotlighting cottage industry startups and selling their gear. You could say her company is part niche media resource and part online retailer, as its weekly newsletters serve a community of 115,000 strong. In 2017, Hatch partnered with fellow outdoor enthusiast, Lloyd Vogel and expanded her cloud-based operation. Hatch continues to work out of her home in Victor, Idaho, and Vogel operates out of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, where the company has a small retail store and allocation center. Hatch also started her business with a young child in tow. But different than Abel, the chicken came well before the egg, and with a reality check to boot. “When Grace came along, life got real,” says Hatch. “I went from being this total ski bum, ultra-runner who was living the Teton Valley dream to adopting the mindset of: ‘Now it’s time to start making decisions about how I'd like my life to track.’ ” Since then, Hatch holds her own feet to the fire. Her work day ends when Grace gets home from school. She tackles her business goals in an efficient 25-hour work week, and then she shuts it all down to be a parent and to play. This schedule shapes her life’s manifesto that hangs over her home-based work desk, reminding 48

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

her to leave 10 hours a week for adventuring, exercise, and yoga, and to make time to be fully engaged with her family. “Somebody that works 40 hours a week has more work downtime than I do,” says Hatch. “With my allotted 25 hours, I'm full-on in the zone.” Hatch pretty much nails her 10 hours of play a week (for real!), and it’s this showing up for herself and others that gives the obscure brands she aligns with a chance to live out their prophecies. Through the platform of an e-commerce site, Hatch and Vogel give little companies that think outside the box, and may have gotten their start on Kickstarter, the wings to fly. “My absolute favorite part of working with small businesses is

that we partner with people who are challenging the status quo of the outdoor industry,” says Hatch. She notes Kula Cloth, a first-of-its-kind reusable antimicrobial pee cloth made for people who squat to pee while hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, camping, or participating in a host of other outdoor activities. Hatch explains that the language they use to describe Kula Cloth on the GGG website is super intentional. (They use the inclusive phrase “people who squat to pee,” instead of marketing it as a women-specific product.) “I think the outdoor industry is having an identity crisis right now,” explains Hatch. “I really view my role as a human being and as a mother to help transition the industry to become more diverse. I'm pretty over the ‘bro fest.’ ” Choosing the companies she aligns with is as calculated as the rituals Hatch brings into her everyday life. Nothing is done without thought or purpose, and most everything follows a carefully designed schedule. It’s within her lifestyle plan that she can still give herself permission to connect with her daughter through her dedicated work. “During our COVID stay-at-home order, Grace [age 8] helped me stage photoshoots and come up with lingo sayings for online promotions,” says Hatch. “She really absorbed this way of making a living and how I do it on my own terms.”

Empowerment. Liberation. Permission. Yeah, I think these ladies have it dialed. And they’ve taught me something in the process. It’s less about proving you can keep up with the guys, and more about putting your values out

Amy Hatch’s carefully organized work week

on a plate for others around leaves her plenty of time for adventure. you to nibble on. If you stay true to those values, and keep adding to them, eventually the waft of their scent becomes hard to resist. Then soon, the hors d'oeuvres of your life’s offering turn into a main course— one that others find downright delicious, too. tf

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“Theeeeere she is!” my nine-year old son, Nico, halfwhispered, half-screeched. He was dressed head to toe in his Halloween ghillie suit on top of a sage-covered hill somewhere up one of the many forks of Fall Creek, scaling the far ridgelines for elk through binoculars. “C’mon Mom, let’s go get her.”

“Sorry buddy,” I had to break it to him. “It’s just too late, and it’s too far for me to shoot.” “That’s okay, Mom,” he said, holding my hand and snuggling closer as the alpenglow brightened into a deep pink over the Tetons. “I’m just happy to be here with you. Thanks for bringing me.” I grew up in Colorado. My dad was a passionate hunter who rarely made it to my birthday parties because my October birthday fell on opening day of elk season. I’d sneak my neighborhood friends into the garage to ogle the elk carcass inevitably hanging from the rafters each fall. (We were so grossed out!) When I was sixteen, I begged to go hunting with him. My dad told me, for the first and only time in my life, “No, it is not for girls.” It wasn’t until I was in my late forties that a girlfriend, who found a rifle on the wall of her house during a remodel, asked me if I wanted to learn to hunt. At the time, I was deeply inspired by the slow food movement and the lure of local, organic game meat. So, a friend loaned me his grandpa’s heirloom .270 Winchester rifle, and a few other friends taught me how to clean my gun and gave me some shooting tips. I took my hunter safety course online, and then—the real key to any sense of comfort—I attended a Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) weekend, where I had ample opportunity to practice shooting with professional instructors. Under the direction of backwoods guru Kevin Taylor, I helped gut, skin, and quarter a local cow during a field-dressing class with Full Circle Education. And, as a reward for helping pack out an elk quarter from deep in the Palisades, I spent a day helping my neighbor butcher and grind meat. Finally, I was ready to give it a go. On one of my first solo outings, I had the terrifying experience of sitting in a hunting stand as the sky darkened while both a bull moose and a porcupine lingered below me. My hunting experience wasn’t void of mistakes, either. I scared away an easy shot while loading a bullet as the fog lifted from a meadow during the early morning hours. And, I accidentally triggered my bear spray while setting down my pack. (This happened multiple times!) Finally, I got my van stuck in a foot of snow that fell while I was scouting. After my second hunting season, and noting my seriousness, my dad made up for his earlier blunder by buying me a reliable rifle and booking myself, my sister, and a nephew a week-long trip with an outfitter in the Elk Mountains near Gunnison, Colorado. It was there I had my first success—a six-point bull elk. In seven seasons, I’ve only harvested two elk (the second during the end of the season on the Elk Refuge), but my enthusiasm hasn’t waned. While I sometimes go it alone, most 50

Teton Family ¤ Winter 2020/21

A Big Game

Hunting Primer (aka, What I wish my dad had told me) By Sue Muncaster Photography by Camrin Dengel

often my hunting days involve multiple generations. My 84-year-old dad (now a Wyoming resident) loves the epic drives into the backcountry. He hangs out near the car with his rifle, a bugle, binoculars, and a book, while myself and my son, or my sister, hike the high ridges and circle back down to him, all of us full of stories to share on the long ride home. The biggest barriers to entry for new hunters, especially adults, is finding someone to teach them the ropes when they aren’t lucky enough to learn from family members. In retrospect, there’s something to be said for learning by doing, but I could have used a good local primer on big game rifle hunting to shorten my learning curve.

Rifles and Optics What does a beginner hunter really need? Alan Brumsted, a local hunter safety instructor who works at JD High Country Outfitters says, “Like ski equipment, there’s a wide range of choices and prices, but the minimum requirement is investing in a good rifle that fits your frame, takes the appropriate cartridge for the game you want to hunt, and has manageable recoil.” After that, “buy the best scope you can afford and the best binoculars you can afford because you should never use your scope to scan for animals, or you’ll be pointing your gun all over the place.” All said and done, approximately $1,000 should get you a decent set up.

Ammunition Traditional lead bullets are designed to fragment into over 100 pieces upon impact. Fragments left behind in gut piles are easily picked up by scavengers. The Teton Raptor Center admits, on average, fifteen patients per year with detectable levels of lead in their blood, including eagles, owls, hawks, falcons, and vultures. Lead-poisoned raptors exhibit neurological symptoms, such as a loss of coordination and the inability to stand. This increases the chances of collisions, leading to head

Winter 2021 ¤ Teton Family

trauma or broken bones. Non-lead (copper or copper alloy) bullets are accurate alternatives that do not fragment, but rather expand up to twice their size. They are mandated in Grand Teton National Park and encouraged on the Elk Refuge. When asked why everyone doesn’t use them, Brumsted pointed to higher cost and people’s habits (people get used to one brand they have used for years). To address the cost, Brumsted suggests using cheaper bullets to practice, and then load your gun with the ammunition you plan to use before you hunt.

Beyond BOW focuses specifically on hunting ethics, firearms, archery, gun cleaning and optics, and it offers a simulated hunt. wgfd.wyo.gov/education/becoming-an-outdoors-woman

Shooting

Education

“The most common mistake for new hunters is they don’t put the time into practicing and building confidence before going into the field,” says Fred Williams, Wyoming director of the First Hunt Foundation. Frequent reasons for misses include unproperly sighted scopes, nervousness (aka, “buck fever”), ammunition, insufficient practice, and gun or scope unfamiliarity.

The best place to start is with the Teton County (Wyoming and Idaho) 4H Clubs. Both offer programs in shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, and archery) for ages eight and up. wyoextension.org/tetoncounty/4hyouth-development; uidaho.edu/extension/county/teton/4-h

The Jackson Hole Gun Club, located off Highway 89 between Jackson and Hoback Junction offers a membership, which requires an orientation class, and gets you a code to the gate and access to rifle, pistol, archery, and shotgun skeet and trap shooting bays. jhgunclub.com

For Kids

For All Ages To get a license, hunter education classes are required unless you are over the age of 60. You can take a traditional class or attend an online course with an in-person field day. They fill up fast, so register in the winter for the following year. While you can take the course at any age, the minimum age for hunting big game in Wyoming is 12, and in Idaho, it’s 10. hunter-ed.com

For Women

The only legal place to shoot in Teton Valley is in the national forest or on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. However, Teton County is negotiating with the BLM to acquire a piece of property north of Tetonia to turn into a public hunting club and shooting range. Well worth the investment, the pros from Jackson Hole Shooting Experience offer both group (pre-COVID) and private pre-hunt rifle sighting sessions. shootinjh.com

Processing the Hunt

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) offers an affordable June weekend workshop, hosted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, that teaches hunting and other outdoor skills (like orienteering, archery, and canoeing). In partnership with the First Hunt Foundation, a September workshop called

Gutting and butchering my first elk was incredibly rewarding. My son—then an inquisitive six-year-old—hung by my side and asked a million anatomy questions. When I relented and let him wield a knife, he proved to be surprisingly competent and careful, cutting up chunks and stuffing them into the sausage grinder.

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These fifth-graders are identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates on Trail Creek to determine whether the stream is healthy. At left is a helpful parent volunteer.

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TIP:

If you have kids , make a lot of sausage and hamburger meat!

Rosy Meatballs Serves 6

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When I was a kid, we could rarely afford beef and ate elk almost exclusively, complaining, of course, as kids do. This family favorite, with its unique combination of ingredients, was always a crowd pleaser. Serve it over wide pasta noodles or rice. 2 pounds ground elk or venison 1 cup dry breadcrumbs ½ cup onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon dry mustard 2 tablespoons olive oil 14-ounce can tomato sauce 15-ounce can cranberry sauce with whole berries Salt and pepper to taste 54

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In a large bowl, mix the ground meat, breadcrumbs, onion, and dry mustard with your hands. Form into meatballs the size of golf balls. Heat oil over medium-high heat until it sizzles with a drop of water. Add the meatballs, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides. Add tomato sauce and cranberries

to the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. The meatballs are totally done when firm to the touch. Season liberally with salt and pepper and serve.

To reduce the “gamey” taste, consider the following: • Take a careful approach to hunting techniques and field care. Don’t let your bullet fly unless you are totally confident you have the marksmanship. • A clean shot through the lungs and/or heart is critical for a quick kill. Poor shot placement leads to a highly-stressed animal and tough meat with off-putting flavors. • Gut the animal immediately, or skin and quarter it as soon as possible, to reduce heat buildup that can spoil meat. Chill to prevent spoilage. • Wash each piece of meat, dry and wrap it in double-strength freezer paper. Tape and label it with the date. Do not store meat in plastic wrap. • Never cook venison in its own fat—the fat contains the gamey flavor. Last summer, sitting around an early morning campfire, I found myself in the company of five young hunting enthusiasts. I told them I was writing this article and asked what hunting meant to them. They all clammed up.

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Finally someone spoke up. “Lincoln [age 11] got his first deer this year!” At which point stories of glory, mishaps, and perseverance started flying. “It was so cold and early. … We were listening to howling coyotes in the Wyoming range. … A lone elk appeared on the ridgeline, and then suddenly a whole herd.” “It was getting close to dark, and we had to flip a coin to decide who was shooting. … I used a 243 at 75 yards. … It was a belly shot.”

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“There were six inches of snow, and it was dumping and dark. … We had to light a downed tree on fire to stay warm while we gutted it.” Hunting is so much more than harvesting and eating organic, local meat. Mastering the tools to be confident in the outdoors, the profound friendships and life-long memories of time spent with family, and practicing good stewardship of the land are all essential parts of preserving a hunting heritage for future generations. tf

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