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Larry Amos, owner of Winterhawk Outfitters in Silt, Colorado wouldn’t mention his packing crew without proudly pointing out a top rate graduate of his Guide and Packing school, Jackie Link. Larry takes pride in the expertise she has gained over the past three years at Winterhawk. Able to pack out a 800 pound elk at breakneck speed, log an average of 10 hours a day in the saddle, stay up late and wake up early, she has stood the test of time. Hard work is no stranger to this wilderness Wonder Woman. Always in the middle of some daunting task, she is still rarely caught without a broad smile on her face. Originally from Idaho, Jackie’s interest began at an early age when she spent many long hours packing into the wilderness for weeks at a time with her mother for recreation. It was this experience that spurred a lifelong dream, to get paid for doing what she loves… packing. The 45-day guide and packing school was a prerequisite to her dream becoming a reality. It was everything she thought it would be and more. Today when she is asked why she didn’t go to college for a career she replies, “Why should I when I am already doing what I love?” A tremendous amount of wisdom displayed through the eyes of a very talented and very happy young lady.
Hillary was raised on a dairy farm in Somerset County in Pennsylvania. She was familiar with early mornings and long hard hours before her druthers would take her west. Little did she know that this early training would come in so handy. A couple of years ago her father went on an elk hunting adventure with Winterhawk Outfitters where he saw a young lady working as a packer. Thinking his daughter, who liked to work with her hands, would enjoy such a job, he mentioned it to her. Later that year Hillary found herself enrolled in Larry’s school where to her surprise she learned a whole lot more than just how to “pack” a mule. Before long she found herself skilled in horsemanship, Manti loading, drop camps, survival skills, map and compass reading, first aid/CPR, elk hunting, scouting and finally actually participating in calling an elk in for a client. An experience she explains with a wide-eyed smile and states that she will never forget.
Raising their daughter, Lauren with the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains has been a wonderful experience and fits in and around the many chores involved in an operation this size. Largely successful as an elk camp, guide and packing school, Winterhawk also provides summer horseback riding pack trips and fly fishing trips keeping this family on the run year round. Looking at the business through parental eyes helps to make Winterhawk a true family experience that can be enjoyed by all with a no booze policy being at the top of the list. A nice place to visit but for a gal but to make a living? While women don’t traditionally hold these wilderness job titles Jackie, Hillary, Laura, Barbie along with camp cooks Liz and Tina would be hard pressed be anyplace else. Experienced and determined, they have proven that women in the wilderness can be not only smart and skilled but also just as talented step for step as their male counter parts.
Even though women are not commonly found in the backwoods hunting camps of this country, the times they are a changing. The women of Winterhawk are paving the way into the future for women brave enough to pursue their dreams despite what the world may have to say about it. Choosing to follow your dream of becoming a Guide, Packer or hold any other wilderness position was never easier to achieve than today. Do you have this same dream? You may want to consider attending Winterhawks Guide and Packing school next summer. For your own sake don’t delay, Larry only takes ten students a year and the class fills quickly so book now if you’re really serious. If this is your idea of freedom contact Larry or Laura Amos at Winterhawk Outfitters to enroll at 970-876-2623 or log on to www.winterhawk.com to book a hunt of a lifetime |
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Packing away traditional roles
