Mountain Man Rendezvous starts Wednesday

RIVERTON (WNE) — Next week, a swath of Fremont County along the banks of the Wind River will be transported back in time to 1838, when a gathering of trappers, Native Americans, and mountain men met here to engage in commerce and celebrate their year’s work.

The Mountain Man Rendezvous reenactment will take place on the actual site of its storied namesake event.

From July 3 to July 7, all are invited to partake in the commemoration of a party so legendary that it is recreated 186 years later.

“There are many similar gatherings across the country, but it’s rare to be able to host one on an actual documented rendezvous site,” said Eric Raymond, who will serve as this year’s Booshway – a mountain man term with French origins that translates to leader or decision maker.

Just like the 1800s, people will come from hundreds of miles away to trade goods, sing, dance, and fire muzzle-loading black powder muskets.

Historically, rendezvous were annual gatherings organized by fur trading companies for trappers and mountain men to sell their wares and replenish supplies. The location varied, but present day Fremont County is known to have hosted at least three: Lander in 1829, and Riverton in 1830 and 1838.

“Back in the day, the rendezvous would have stretched for 10 or 15 miles up the river,” said Raymond. “Everybody wanted to go. It was the social event of the year.”

For aficionados of frontier history, the appeal of attending rendezvous remains intact.

Beginning Wednesday, folks of all ages are invited to join in the fun. Authentic period-correct garb is optional.

To learn more about the 1838 Rendezvous, visit 1838rendezvous.com.

This story was published on June 28, 2024.