Mountain Crafts and Skills by David Montgomery is a fully illustrated, hands-on manual to the traditional arts and wilderness know-how of the mountain men — those self-reliant trappers and frontiersmen who thrived in the rugged American West.
Montgomery, a professional artist and outdoorsman, delivers clear, practical instruction on everything from crafting buckskin clothing, tanning hides, and building shelters to fashioning traps, powder horns, scrimshaw, bead and quillwork, hunting tools, and camp utensils. The book covers the day-to-day realities of wilderness living: food preparation, equipment, clothing suited to harsh conditions, and the improvisational mindset that kept mountain men alive far from civilization.
What sets it apart is the wealth of detailed, step-by-step drawings by the author himself, making even complex projects accessible whether you’re a serious survivalist, historical reenactor, or simply someone who wants to deepen their connection to traditional outdoor crafts. It blends technical guidance with the spirit and stories of the mountain man era, turning it into both a practical reference and an engaging window into a lost way of life.
This is essential reading (and doing) for anyone drawn to primitive skills, backcountry self-reliance, or the rich heritage of North American frontier living. It pairs naturally with your Alpine Journals and other expedition accounts — a grounded counterpart that moves from the high peaks to the skills needed to thrive once you leave the trailhead behind.
The book sleeve itself has aged. It has some wrinkling and some minor tears along the edge. The spine and covers are still strong, and the pages are complete and without major defects.