Those who went to the western mountains of the North American
continent to reap beaver in the 1820's were a rugged, restless
breed of men. They were molded from a lot that was never content
with settling in any one place for any length of time. They were
drawn by the unbroken trail and the challenge of carving out a life
in the west. "Rosin the Beau" (Live).
By 1940, the demand for fur on the world's fashion market had
declined, dramatically dropping the price offered for beaver pelts,
the montainman's currency. This broke most traders and forced
trappers to look for new enterprise.
Those who stayed in the west kept on the move, seeking out new
trade routes, lured by the wealth of the Santa Fe trade, and later
the charms and gold of California.
Among the first explorers of the western American continent,
they were driven to know what was over the next high ridge. Though
known as true loners, some found themselves leading settlers on the
trail west to California and the Oregon Territories. "Whisky in the Jar" (Live).
Enjoy your trip over that next high ridge.