Frontier Fur Trappers and Traders

Today, fur trappers and traders are legendary figures in the American West and are often referred to as mountain men.

They blazed trails across uncharted territory, guided pioneers, and were some of the first Europeans to interact with indigenous cultures.

Their names stir up images of individuality, ruggedness and conjure a picture of one person alone against wilderness.

The reality is a little different than the legend.

While there were free trappers, the typical mountain man generally worked for a company and it was these companies that recorded routes through the west.

Additionally, most mountain men worked together as a team to collect as many pelts as possible, so while they did explore vast areas of wilderness, they were almost never alone.

However, their adventures were every bit as amazing as they sound and in many ways are even more compelling than the legend that grew around them.

Some of the first European visitors to the area that is now called Colorado and Utah were trappers working for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.

[brianduffie]

The first to interact with native cultures were the missionaries and traders in the eastern woodlands in the 1600's.After the French and Indian War the Fur Trade started to move west.

[wolfmaan]

Well done. Thank you for creating this and helping keep history alive. Please ignore all those who make stupid comments telling you how wrong you are, but make no other contributions.

[ludwigderzanker]

Hi, enjoy your vid, nice you put ol Colonel Cody in! My grandmother saw him live in Germany 1894 (?). Do it again!

[NancyLancaster-ml]

This is Buddy commenting: Absolutely amazing individual fortitude and stamina to just leave civilization and go into the wilderness with only what you could carry or pack in. A host of circumstances on the edge of taking your life at a moments notice. Sickness, accident, animal attack, the weather, starvation, etc. Even just going into a small section of woods, it has been my goal through extensive study and experience to be prepared to spend a night or even longer should something unforseen happen. There are places of wilderness nearby. In NE Ohio it is the Grand River Wildlife preserve, open to hunting, fishing, hiking with currently over 8, 000 Acres! In one section from Hoffman Norton Road going west on State Route 88, for over two miles, then North on State Route 534, for about three miles, there are no roads. One road on Rt. 534 north turns in going east about a mile, only to turn North going to State Route 87, Never going into the inner parts. Still truly wilderness part of this expansive piece of land in this day and age. Stay safe in your travels, be prepared. All the best and may GOD bless.

[FrontierLegacy]

Carson as much later than Ashley's 100. He did serve under Jim Bridger but at the end of the fur bonanza.

[giovanniscimeca]

I believe Jeremiah Johnston was a Fur Trapper for awhile until things went south.

[furtrapper]

the mountain men were mainly in Rupert's land and canada