In the Heart of the Bitterroot Mountains, the Story of the Carlin Hunting Party, September-December, 1893 [Paperback]

Abraham L. Himmelwright (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0945519168 | ISBN-13: 978-0945519164 | Publication Date: November 1993

Late September 1893, three adventurous easterners, a guide, and their camp cook followed Idaho's Lolo Trail into the Bitterroot Mountains in pursuit of big game. Leaving the high country, the men made camp on the banks of the Lochsa River and began hunting in heavy rain. Two months later, exhausted and nearing starvation, most, but not all, of the party emerged from the rugged river canyon and were rescued by a military search party near what is now Lowell, Idaho. This book is the true story of the travails of the Carlin Hunting Party of 1893 and includes extensive excerpts from Will Carlin's diary, historical newspaper accounts of the day, and appendices providing additional background information. The book tells an extraordinary wilderness adventure-turned-tragedy which has become one of the most controversial and frequently retold true tales of desperation to ever resound from within the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Carlin Party Found:

Destitute and Crazed with Suffering

Special Dispatch, Missoula, Montana, November 25, 1893.

Greatly to the surprise of everyone the Carlin party of young New Yorkers who have been besieged in the Bitterroot Mountains, southwest of Missoula, for nearly two months, has been found more dead than alive.

The account of their sufferings, as related by a courier just arrived, is harrowing in the extreme.

They were famished, without horses or provisions, barefooted, only the soles of their shoes remaining, and were scant of clothing.

Hemmed in by impenetrable snow banks and after several ineffectual attempts to escape, the party became resigned to its fate, trusting to Providence for relief.

Lt. Elliott found the men in a sad condition verging on insanity. He administered what immediate relief was at his command. Colgate, he learned, was still behind, having fallen in his ability to keep up with the party. Carlin believes that the man will not ever be found alive.

When the men were found they were totally bewildered and were wandering about aimlessly on a snow-covered plateau on which the depth of snow averaged fourteen feet. Their horses had long since stampeded and their provisions were exhausted, save what little they carried in their pockets. The little band of brave men were making their last and final effort to get out when found, and thirty-six hours later would have found them dead. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Abe Himmelwright was one of the three hunters on the ill-fated trip and published his account of the adventure in 1895. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Meadow Pr (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945519168
• ISBN-13: 978-0945519164
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,436,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars True Adventure, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Heart of the Bitterroot Mountains: The Story of the Carlin Hunting Party, September-December 1893 (Paperback)

This is an excellent account of a trip group's travel in the rugged Lochsa River area. A series of poor decisions and heavy weather (always to be expected in this area) leads to trouble for the entire party.

Like other adventure tales from the turn of the century on is amazed at what they try to do with out the high tech fabrics and gadgets we have use today.