Frequently
asked
Questions

Newcomers are welcome! We love teaching people how to dig trail, pull a crosscut, and even pitch a tent if it is your first time camping. However, it is extremely important that you select a project that matches your ability level. To ensure your safety and the safety of the entire crew, you must be prepared for the level of difficulty of the project you select.

Here’s what you can expect from projects with these levels of difficulty:

• Easy – Project requiring 3 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.

• Moderate – Project requiring 4-6 miles of daily hiking and/or 500’-1,000’ of elevation gain. Work is physically demanding, but can be self-paced according to one’s comfort level. Camp is not far from the worksite and there is access to vehicles at camp.

• Strenuous – Project requiring some combination of 7-10 miles and/or 1,000’-2,000’ elevation gain, demanding work tasks, and/or a hike into a backcountry camp. Opportunities for self-paced tasks exist during the workday but may not always be available. We’ll be working far from camp and may be backcountry camping.

• Very Strenuous – Project requiring some combination of 10+ miles into a backcountry camp and/or >2,000’ elevation gain, especially demanding work tasks and the need to keep pace with the rest of the crew at all times. These are our most challenging projects.

If you have any concerns about your ability to participate, or just want a better idea of what you are getting into, contact us at at volunteer@abwilderness.org.

ABWF projects are free to everyone. We charge a modest REFUNDABLE deposit when you register to insure your commitment to the project. The integrity of our programs requires committed volunteers. If you register for a project, we are counting on you to show up. Deposits can be refunded after you complete the project.

If you either cancel (with less than one month’s notice) or do not show up, ABWF will accept your deposit as a donation to offset some of the cost we incurred. Most deposits will not be refunded until the conclusion of the field season. Expect to receive your refunded deposit around November 1st. Deposits are refunded to the credit card used to process the transaction.

If you are unable to put down for a deposit but still really want to join, no problem! We are happy to waive the fee in special cases. Just shoot us an email and let us know that you pinky promise to show up.

It is very important to know that you are expected to commit to the project once you sign up. All of our projects take a lot of time and effort to organize and we want to make sure that we have full trips so that we can complete the project as outlined by our Forest Service partners. Please do not sign up for a trip unless you are committed to doing it.

We do, of course, understand that things happen and circumstances change, so if you must cancel, please do so as soon as possible. Cancellations made less than 30 days before the trip and no-shows will forfeit their project registration deposit as a cancellation fee. 

While uncommon, ABWF may find it necessary to cancel a project due to low volunteer sign-ups or safety reasons (i.e. wildfires), but will contact volunteers as soon as possible and typically no later than two weeks before the project start date. For this reason we strongly recommend volunteers purchase trip insurance when making airline reservations or other travel arrangements.

Those projects listed as “FULL” are at capacity, although you can still register and be added to the waitlist. You’ll still need to provide a refundable project deposit. In the event of a cancellation, we will begin calling everyone on the waitlist. The first to respond and accept the position will be added to the confirmed list. ABWF will refund your project deposit if you aren’t added to the confirmed list. We will also gladly accept deposits as donations to the stewardship program.

Below is a quick list for most overnight trips but you can click on the link for a printable version to use as you pack for a Trail Project. Solitude Monitoring trips require a slightly different packing list.

Clothing:

• 1 set of work clothes; durable pants, long-sleeved shirt, t-shirt

• Base layer, aka long underwear

• Mid-layer fleece or wool shirt;

• Wind shirt or long-sleeved, lighweight hoody are useful tools for The AB.

• Rain jacket (must have) and rain pants (optional)

• Puffy coat for cool nights

• Hiking socks

• Sleeping socks (1 pair that you don't plan to hike in)

• Underwear

• Warm gloves & warm hat

• Sun hat & sunglasses

Footwear:

• Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support; Goretex/waterproof is nice (no tennis shoes and avoid brand new if you can help it!)

• Creek-crossing shoes such as Chacos, Tevas (keep these handy for the hike in as you might be crossing streams. No flip flops!)

Camping Gear:

• Tent

• Warm sleeping bag

• Sleeping Pad

• Water bottles, Camelback or similar bladder to carry at least 2 liters (3 recommended). Please don’t overlook this suggestion!

• Headlamp; prefered over a flashlight, phone light is not adequate.

• Personal medications (Epi-pen if you have allergies)

• Waterproof matches/ lighter

Packs:

• Size depends on trip specifics but generally a medium-large backpack (or similar if car camping)

• Straps or ability to attach tools/gear to your pack is recommended

• Day pack, optional

Optional Items - Keep it light!

• Head Net (for bugs)

• Work gloves

• Personal water filter

• Hiking poles

• Camp chair

The entire Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is considered “occupied grizzly bear habitat.” The AB has a healthy grizzly and black bear population. All ABWF trips practice bear aware safety including proper food storage and travel in bear country. All participants are required to carry bear spray. ABWF will have some available if you don’t have one and, we can provide guidance on how to properly use bear spray.

Volunteers (with the exception of packers) may not carry firearms on any ABWF trip per the Forest Service volunteer agreement and ABWF policy, regardless of whether they are licensed to carry a concealed weapon.

Unfortunately, given the possibility of problems arising between your pet and pack-stock, wildlife, or other volunteers we do not allow dogs on ABWF trips. Contact staff for information about service animals on trips.

Help us keep our projects fun and safe by reviewing these policies before your trip.

• Alcohol: If you are an adult participating in a volunteer trip, you are welcome to bring a small amount of alcohol on the project ONLY if it is consumed responsibly, after work hours, and in a manner leaving you able to work the following day. Absolutely no glass bottles are allowed, and be prepared to carry in your own personal supply (some packers will not pack alcohol).

• Firearms: Firearms and other weapons are absolutely prohibited on volunteer trips. Crew Leaders carry bear spray and have some available for others. There is no need to carry a weapon in the Wilderness. If you feel like you need one, an ABWF volunteer trip is not for you. Animal packers are the exception to this rule and only carry one to respond to an injured equine.

• Marijuana and other Drugs: While marijuana is now legal in Montana, it is still ILLEGAL on federal lands including Forest Service lands where the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is located. Other illegal drugs are also prohibited on ABWF trips. Anyone participating on a trip is a Forest Service volunteer under a working agreement. Drug use violates that agreement and could leave you liable for any injury, loss or other issue that occurs.

Each ABWF Crew Leader is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and carries a well-stocked first aid kit and Garmin satellite emergency device, in case a situation should arise. Volunteers are expected to bring any personal medication they may need on the trip. If you are prone to blisters, we recommend you pack a personal stash of tape, band-aids, and moleskin. If you enjoy your fair share of ibuprofen, please bring a personal stash.

You probably already know these things, but it’s a good idea to mention them. These activities are not permitted on ABWF trips:

• possession or use of firearms, except with volunteer packers who’ve been approved by the Forest Service

• consumption of alcoholic beverages in excess

• possession or use of any illegal drugs

• fighting, use of derogatory language, intimidating behavior, discrimination, sexual harassment, or violent or threatening behavior

• violation of any state game and fish regulation

• violation of any federal, state, or local law

• disclosing others’ confidential information

• unfortunately, pets are not allowed on volunteer projects. Even if you’re confident in your pet’s behavior, conflicts can still arise. Our primary concern is the safety of your pet, pack stock, wildlife, and fellow volunteers.

Violation of any of the above prohibitions may constitute grounds for dismissal from the project.

Being prepared goes a long way; do your part and remember that your choices affect the entire crew. Many projects are at high elevations, in remote settings, and subject to rapid weather changes and possible exposure. Participants are expected to assist with camp chores, adhere to safety requests, and adapt to a shared group environment. Choose your projects wisely, based on your known abilities. No solo hiking is allowed to/from backcountry projects.

Each crew leader carries a Garmin Emergency Responder. The Crew Leaders will ‘check in’ via text with the ABWF each day. In the event that a field volunteer needs to be contacted while they are out on a trip, please call the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation office. We can typically get a message to our crew within 24 hours. You can also try ABWF staff at any hour in the event of a true emergency. Phone numbers below.

Office: info@abwilderness.org - (406) 445-3037

Joe Josephson, Executive Director - jjosephson@abwilderness.org - (406) 581-1716

Jarret Kostrba, Senior Operations Manager - jkostrba@abwilderness.org - (406) 580-2592