NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Sept. 4.
CARLSBORG — Black powder weaponry, tomahawks and furs are back this weekend at the Green River Mountain Men’s annual Rendezvous in the foothills between Carlsborg and the Olympic Mountains.
Visitors are welcome at the “Rondy” from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. today through Sunday at the Peninsula Long Rifles camp off Slab Camp Road south of Carlsborg.
There is no charge for entry. Guests should check in at the gazebo.
Campsites for the weekend are $20 per tent or recreational vehicle through Monday morning, when participants will pack and leave.
Fur trading camp
The rendezvous is a re-enactment of an 1830s-era fur trading camp common in the Pacific Northwest, and the Green River Mountain Men have been taking part in the black powder weaponry event for 35 to 40 years, said Vickie Shurr, a rendezvous organizer.
Participants clad in furs, buckskins and dresses with aprons will camp in canvas tents while traders hawk their wares from tents, wooden trailers and blankets spread under trees.
A preliminary schedule for the 2015 event is not available.
They will be available at the rendezvous, she said.
Shooting competitions
Those who wish to take part in black powder shooting competitions must register at a shooters meeting at the registration shelter.
The entry fee for shooting competitions is $20 per person for shooters 13 and older.
Visitors can register at the site for lessons in how to shoot black powder rifles.
Individual lessons are $1 per shot at two black powder clinics at the shooting range.
“Pee-wee activities” will be available free for children 12 and younger.
Activities include youth archery, a pee-wee shoot and a hay scramble.
Free seminars will be offered through the weekend.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations will include the carding and weaving of wool, flint and steel, and blacksmithing.
Competitions and demonstrations are planned of black powder rifles and knife and tomahawk throwing, known as “Knife and Hawk.”
A traders’ row of dusty merchant tents and blankets will sell antique, replica and Old West-style clothing and equipment for participants or visitors.
Food will be available through a vendor, and bottled water will be available for sale.
No electricity or water will be available at the site.
Wood fires, charcoal or open-flame fireplace and propane firepits will not be allowed during the rendezvous due to the Clallam County burn ban.
Propane stoves and barbecues will be permitted as long as they are off the ground and no closer than 5 feet from other burnable vegetation.
The Green River Mountain Men is a nonprofit organization of men and women dedicated to educating the community about the pre-1840s fur trade era.
Peninsula Long Rifles is a 44-year-old club dedicated to the art of primitive shooting.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
