Around the 307
News, commentary, and other items of interest from the greater Wyoming landscape.
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From the week of January 28th, 2024, here are Wyoming news items and updates of interest:
Monday, January 29th, one might think spring isn’t far off given at least one bear has already woken up! Check out this story at the Jackson Hole News & Guide about the unexpected visitor who emerged during a three-day super-G alpine ski competition that occurred earlier this week at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
A bear crossing the super-G course during a break in the action at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on Monday. [Photo courtesy of Andrew Butterworth.] Tuesday, January 30th, Campbell County firefighters responded to a call of two horses that had broken through the surface of an icy pond. The horses had, unfortunately, walked to the center of the ice before it broke and although the pond wasn’t deep enough for them to go under they were unable to get out. The water was extremely cold and the horses had been trapped for an unknown amount of time before their rescuers arrived. Find out what happened next by reading the full story here at the Gillette News Record.
[Photo courtesy of the Campbell County Fire Department.] On Wednesday, January 31st, the Pinedale Roundup provided an update on the ongoing Pedigree Stage Stop Race to include news on the evolving medical condition of local musher Alix Crittenden. From the Pinedale Roundup Facebook post: “Crittenden, who came in second place last year, was forced out of the race after suffering a major seizure on January 14th, which resulted in her being life-flighted to the University of Utah where a team of neurologists discovered she had a brain tumor. She underwent surgery on January 18th, and was allowed to return home on January 22nd, with the results and a diagnosis still pending.” Incredibly, Alix was at the start of Stage 3 in Pinedale on January 29th checking in on her dog team currently being mushed by friend and teammate Jess Moore. Check out these amazing photos!
Top two photos: Alix Crittenden (in green coat) at the start of Stage 3. Photo above: Jess Moore (wearing bib #8) mushing the team in Alix's sted. [Photo credits: Cali O'Hare, Managing Editor, Sublette Examiner and Pinedale Roundup newspapers.] As of the writing of this post, Stage 4 in Kemmerer, Stage 5 in Big Piney/Marbleton, and Stage 6 in Alpine are all complete. Stage 6 occurred yesterday and I am happy to report Alix was also at the starting line to see Jess and the dog team off on the trail! The last Stage is going on today in Driggs, Idaho after which the winner will be announced. [Note that Jess took 3rd place during the Alpine Stage and is currently in 4th place overall.] See the most current race updates on the Pedigree Stage Stop Race website.
Alix Crittenden (in green jacket) and Jess Moore (bib #8) at the Stage 6 Alpine starting line (February 2, 2024). [Photo by Ruzena Rok.] In the meantime, if you would like to help Alix, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to aide in offsetting her mounting medical bills. Or, you can also bid on items as part of the Auction for Alix Crittenden on Facebook. We will continue to keep you posted as we hear more about how Alix is doing.
Friday, February 2nd, was Ground Hog Day. Somehow, I think I missed it! Probably because here is Wyoming we don’t rely much on what a large Pennsylvania rodent named Punxsutawney Phil has to say about the end of winter, rather we rely on Lander Lil! Read this entertaining story in Cowboy State Daily about the bronze statue of a prairie dog that has been predicting Wyoming’s winter weather future since 1984.
[Photo credit Knox McFarland for Cowboy State Daily.] Lastly, here are a few Wyoming historical events (some well known, others obscure) that have occurred during the month of January. Hope you enjoy these!
January 17th, 1877—the Cheyenne Daily Leader describes Mountain Man Jim Baker as “gnarled and grizzled as ... old pines that have graced the mountain peaks.”
January 19th, 1896—Butch Cassidy, having served 18 months of a two-year sentence for receiving a stolen horse, released from the Wyoming State Penitentiary after a pardon from Governor W.A. Richards.
January 31st, 1917—Governor John B. Kendrick signs the bill creating the Wyoming State Flag.
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading and have a great week buckaroos!
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