SEQUIM — Dozens of canvas tents will come down late this afternoon as trappers, traders and riflemen of the Green River Mountain Men say goodbye to their weekend camp in the Olympic Mountains.
Until then, old-time mountain life enthusiasts — about 125 of them — will continue their gathering at the Peninsula Long Rifle Association camp south of Sequim to shoot, trade and enjoy the company of those who share the hobby.
The public is invited to view the proceedings.
More than 200 visitors have already taken in the sights at the 30th annual Green River Mountain Men Rendezvous since it began Saturday, said Lance Mertz, the booshway — or boss — of the event.
Many of those visitors shot a muzzleloader for the first time, Mertz said.
The rendezvous re-creates fur trading meetings held from 1820 to 1840 in the Pacific Northwest, Mertz said.
At the time, the Hudson’s Bay Co., with the blessing of the British government, essentially controlled the Pacific Northwest, including trade and authorization to make and enforce laws, he said.
Events similar to the one held this weekend were places for trappers and traders to exchange goods and show their skills in competitions.
Some of those contests were re-created for enthusiasts and visitors.
There were more shooters this year than last, Mertz said.
This year, 40 competitors entered the rifle, bow and hatchet-throwing contests, he said.
Not everything about the rendezvous is 19th century.
This year, the group created an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible rifle range, where those who could not manage the more strenuous back-country shooting trail could show their skills.
Winners will be awarded their prizes during a ceremony this morning, before the attendees pack up and head back to the modern world. Mertz said.
A neat row of canvas tents in the main field marked the traders’ section.
Many of the costumed traders make their wares by hand, including Margaret Abel of Kenmore.
She creates beaded hat bands and buckskin shirts and dresses while her husband, Don, sells walking sticks and other wares.
“About half of what we sell we made,” Margaret said.
In addition to the hand-made items, the Abels also sold knives, pots, pans and other items that trappers might have needed to survive.
The Abels attend a rendezvous every weekend during spring and summer, she said.
“It started as an interest, became a hobby — now it’s a way of life,” Don said.
On Sunday, Margaret was involved in ongoing talks with another trader to purchase some of the other traders’ dresses, but failed to reach a bargain.
“I’d like to have some dresses I didn’t have to make,” she said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
