Mountain Man/Fur Trade Era Programs

Mike Guli shooting his flintlock rifle at a Rendezvous at The Fort Restaurant at night.
Mike Guli in front of his teepee, tipi, in a wooded area at a rendezvous in Colorado.

Mountain Man Encampment

The ultimate in an immersive experience! Sleep under a bison hide in a tipi you helped erect, gather firewood and start your own campfire using flint and steel, shoot (and then clean) a black powder rifle, set a trap, throw a tomahawk, walk the mountain, and appreciate the skills of teamwork and survival.

Mountain Man trunk show program with students at a school.
Mountain Man trunk show program, dressing a student as an American Indian.

Mountain Man/Fur Trade Era Trunk Show

Who might you have met in the mountains of Colorado in the early 1800’s? In this lively educational program, four participants are dressed in outfits from the Mountain Man period of American history – a woman as an American Indian, a Mountain Man, a lady from Taos, and a finely-dressed Caballero!

Mike Guli in mountain man attire telling stories of the Fur Trade Era at a school program.
Mike Guli dressed as a Mountain Man, holding his rifle, in a grassy field.

The Mountain Man

As the first explorers to open up the American West, these rugged adventurers had to learn to live off the land and survive under challenging circumstances. In full costume, Mike shares stories about life as a mountain man and shares items such as a real beaver pleu, his flintlock and flint and steel, and a beaver trap.

A man giving a presentation or storytelling session to a group of children outdoors in front of a teepee tent.

Mountain Man Survival Skills

With safety as the first priority, learn to throw a tomahawk, start a fire with flint and steel, and try your hand with basic Indian sign language.

Group of five musicians playing string instruments outdoors in front of a building with a sign reading 'The Fort' and an elevation of 6,100 feet, during daytime.

A Fandango!

Enjoy the flavor of a dance party in old Santa Fe with historically-inspired dances such as the Valse, La Varsovianna, and Las Cuadrillas! All steps are taught, and no partner or previous experience is necessary.

A group of four adults, two men and two women, outdoors enjoying a music-themed event. One man plays guitar, while the others are dancing and smiling.

Presented in collaboration with Guli Productions

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