Army veteran Ray Knell gallops through Pelican Valley as the sun sets over Yellowstone National Park; Photography by Michael Ciaglo Rain and cold were our companions as we rode our horses and mules north along the eastern edge of Yellowstone Lake, North America’s largest lake above 7,000 feet. Muddy trails made travel… [Read More]
A Backcountry Recovery: Wilderness, Wild Horses, Warriors (1/5)
Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell cautiously walks toward an old bison before giving it a wide berth; Photograph by Ben Masters Ray Knell, a Green Beret and Afghanistan war veteran, called me in January 2015 seeking advice on how to ride a thousand wilderness miles from Colorado to Montana along North America’s Continental Divide. Two years ago, I completed a 3,000-mile ride … [Read More]
A Backcountry Recovery: On Horseback Through Yellowstone (2/5)
Nap time in Mist Creek. Taking utmost care of your horses is the top priority for an extended journey such as Ray Knell’s 1,000-mile ride. That means stopping to eat when the grass is great; Photograph by Ben Masters See “A Backcountry Recovery” Photo Gallery Getting ready for a long horse expedition always takes longer than expected… [Read More]
A Backcountry Recovery: Camping in the Lower 48’s Most Remote Place (3/5)
Ray Knell, right, and Ben Masters look out over the Yellowstone River as they make their way to camp along Yellowstone Lake; Photograph by Michael Ciaglo I woke up to the not-so distant howl of a wolf in the deepest backcountry location in the Lower 48. The half light of coming dawn allowed me to barely see our five horses and two mules standing at attention seeking the source of the deep howl. Another wolf joined the chorus, this one further away, up by the headwaters of the Yellowstone River and… [Read More]
Yellowstone: Wilderness, Wild Horses, Warriors – A Backcountry Recovery (1/5)
Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell cautiously walks toward an old bison before giving it a wide berth; Photograph by Ben Masters Ray Knell, a Green Beret and Afghanistan war veteran, called me in January 2015 seeking advice on how to ride a thousand wilderness miles from Colorado to Montana along North America’s Continental Divide. Two years ago, I completed a 3,000-mile ride using wild mustangs across the American West as part of the documentary Unbranded, so I was eager to share my experiences with Ray for his journey… [Read More]