Free packing clinic coming up

The Backcountry Horsemen of the Flathead will hold a free packing clinic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Triple Take Arena, 300 Morning View Drive in Kalispell.

The event, which will be taught by renown Forest Service packer Bill Workman will go over everything from how to set up and tie a manty to using panniers, as well as other backcountry horse techniques, according to Greg Schatz of the Horsemen group.

There will also be a food truck on hand for people to grab lunch.

This year backcountry travel promises to be challenging for people on foot and stock, with numerous trees down due to wind storms in December.

Coupled with that, the number of Forest Service trail crews and personnel is also expected to be down.

In other words, the general public will have to pitch in to clear and maintain trails this year if they want to get around in the wilderness and backcountry areas.