Rusty Wells

Growing up in Denver, Colorado I had plenty of opportunity to explore the close by mountains: fishing, camping and backpacking. After college at the University of Montana I taught school for a while and then moved on work as a Mountaineering Instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming. In that position I lead backcountry expeditions in Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Alaska for 11 years; both Winter and Summer. During that time I was fortunate to participate in an expedition to climb 20, 310’ Denali in Alaska summiting July 10, 1978. Later I became a Fishing and Hunting Guide in Montana (starting first as a Mule Packer) in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I also spent 6 years working at Wilderness Treatment Center in Montana leading addicted youth on backcountry trips of 2-3 week duration. Tiring of carrying a pack and sleeping on the ground 80-100 days a year for a living I found a job in retail sales of fly-fishing gear (fishing being one of my favorite things to do). I continued my outdoor pursuits by purchasing Glacier Park Ski Tours for $1 and guiding cross country skiers and snowshoers in Glacier Park during the slow winters of retail in the fly- fishing business. I now work part time guiding for the same business (now Glacier Adventure Guides). In 1983 I joined National Ski Patrol as a Nordic Patroller and over the years participated in many lost skier searches and a few avalanche searches as a member of Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol. Recently I was inducted into the National Ski Patrol Hall of Fame. I have sketched since my early childhood and carried sketchbooks on all of my expeditions (including to our 16,500’ high camp on Denali). Watercolor painting is something I began in earnest after a class at Flathead Valley Community College.