Incredible stories from those who thrived in the Wild West. The “mountain men” were the hunters and trappers who fiercely strode the Rocky Mountains in the early to mid-1800s. They braved the elements in search of the skins of beavers and other wild animals, to sell or barter for goods. The lifestyle of the mountain men could be harsh, existing as they did among animals, and spending most of their days and nights living and camping out in the great unexplored wilds of the Rockies. Life outdoors presented many threats, not least among them Native Americans, who were hostile to the mountain men encroaching on the area for their own purposes. For a certain kind of pioneer, this risk and more were outweighed by the benefits of living free, without the restrictions and boundaries of “civilized” settlements. Included in this collection are tales from great writers, including: Washington Irving Stanley Vestal Osborne Russell Francis Parkman Jr. And many more! In The Adventures of the Mountain Men, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Brennan has compiled many of the best stories about the mountain men—the most daring exploits, the death-defying chances taken to hunt big game, the clashes with the arrows of Native Americans, and also the moments when the men were struck by the incomparable beauty of the unsullied, majestic Rocky Mountains.

To know how the West was really won, start with the exploits of these unsung mountain men who, like the legendary Jeremiah Johnson, were real buckskin survivalists. Preceded only by Lewis and Clark, beaver fur trappers roamed the river valleys and mountain ranges of the West, living on fish and game, fighting or trading with the Native Americans, and forever heading toward the untamed wilderness. In this story of rough, heroic men and their worlds, Laycock weaves historical facts and practical instruction with profiles of individual trappers, including harrowing escapes, feats of supreme courage and endurance, and sometimes violent encounters with grizzly bears and Native Americans.

Crafts and Skills of the Mountain Man is a fascinating, practical guide to the skills that have made the mountain men famous worldwide as outdoorsmen and craftsmen. Readers can replicate outdoor living by trying a hand at making rafts and canoes, constructing tools, and living off the land. Learn key skills like: Building a strong fire. Learning to hunt and butcher your meals. Creating a safe and solid shelter. And much more! Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman or a novice hiker, Crafts and Skills of the Mountain Man is your handbook to not only surviving outdoors, but flourishing. The style of the mountain man is unique and popular, especially among young people, historians, and those with a special interest in living off the land. The mountain man has been successful outdoors for ages, and now you can too with the skills, tips, and tricks included in this handy manual. Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for hunters and firearms enthusiasts. We publish books about shotguns, rifles, handguns, target shooting, gun collecting, self-defense, archery, ammunition, knives, gunsmithing, gun repair, and wilderness survival. We publish books on deer hunting, big game hunting, small game hunting, wing shooting, turkey hunting, deer stands, duck blinds, bowhunting, wing shooting, hunting dogs, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

"Lost on Purpose" is the non-fiction adventure narrative of a former technology executive who reinvented himself as a 21st century mountain man. In October/November 2013, Patrick Taylor crossed the Rocky Mountains alone on foot. He passed through one of the largest wilderness areas in the Lower 48 to reach and retrace the route of Lewis & Clark in the winter. The sacrifices - vocationally, financially, emotionally - are measured against the benefits by the author in a refreshingly honest, humorous, and inspirational fashion. If you liked "Wild" (and who didn't), you will love this wilderness adventure.

This antiquarian volume contains a detailed and insightful biography of Jim Bridger, written by Stanley Vestal. Vestal is well-known for his books about America. In Jim Bridger he paints a bold and authentic picture of a doughty explorer and of the richness of the American nation when it was still young. Full of colourful anecdote and fascinating insights into the life of Jim Bridger, this text will appeal to those with an interest in this noteworthy explorer, and it would make for a wonderful addition to any personal collection. The chapters of this book include: 'Enterprising Young Man', 'Set Poles for the Mountains', 'Tall Tales', 'The Cheyennes' Bloody Junket', 'Fort Phil Kearney', 'Red Cloud's Defiance', 'The Cheyennes' Warning', 'Shot in the Back', 'Arrow Butchered Out', 'Old Cabe to the Rescue', etcetera. We are republishing this volume now complete with a specially commissioned biography of the author.

These journals preserve, in his own homey words, James Clyman's experiences on the plains and in the mountains during the heyday of the American fur trade and during the peak of emigration to Oregon and California. The events Clyman recorded were momentous. He was a member of Jedediah Smith's first brigade, which discovered South Pass and opened the Intermountain West to the beaver hunters. Crossing the country during the great migration of 1846, he encountered the Donner party and gave them sound advice they tragically ignored. "Journal of a Mountain Man "is especially valuable, says editor Linda Hasselstrom. The journals are "conspicuously sober and meticulous Clyman shows the mental bent of a surveyor: he scrupulously takes measurements and notes down facts Alongside the vivid but exaggerated sketches some mountain men have left us, we are lucky to have the record of one man who was a keen, thorough, and precise observer."

Joe Meek was one of the West's irresistible characters. He was dashing, devil-may-care, cheeky, irreverent, and more fun than a playful grizzly cub. Initially, he covers his early life adventuring in the Rocky Mountains, California, and the Southwest. His firsthand account of fur-traders is priceless, as are his descriptions of the country, mountains, and the life of a mountain man. Then, Joe Meek's life as pioneer, sheriff, U.S. Marshall, and legislator is told in his own engaging voice. The turbulent years in the Northwest include the story of trappers, traders, missionaries, women, pioneers, and Native Americans that finally came together and created a state--Oregon.