Naturalist looking for that pristine off grid mountain location.. please help (Missoula: real estate, loan)

[T-310]

PP, you might want to rethink some of what you want to do. You just can't go in and clearcut wood for firewood. Permits need to be had. Hothouses? Better have it insulated to the max. You say you are from the NE. I know firsthand the cold of the NE. Its nothing to the cold here. Man, you haven't felt cold until the Alberta clipper comes roaring in. Then expect lows of -30 to -40 for days or weeks on end. This past winter we had two blizzards back to back. The only saving grace of that is its that dry powdery snow and tends to blow off the roads. However the drifts can be mighty deep and it is too easy if you are not careful to high center a vehicle. Even qauds in this snow can have a difficult time negotiating the snow. I have lived in North Central Montana for over 5 years and have some experience of the winters and yet I still stuck my truck feeding my horses no less than five times. And there I sat for a preset amount of time until that time expired and my wife came out to check on me. Cell phones? Hah. In isolated areas, count on no service. Don't get me wrong, I love living where I live.

So isolated you want, isolated you can get. It can also kill you.

Good luck.

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by T-310

PP, you might want to rethink some of what you want to do. You just can't go in and clearcut wood for firewood. Permits need to be had. Hothouses? Better have it insulated to the max. You say you are from the NE. I know firsthand the cold of the NE. Its nothing to the cold here. Man, you haven't felt cold until the Alberta clipper comes roaring in. Then expect lows of -30 to -40 for days or weeks on end. This past winter we had two blizzards back to back. The only saving grace of that is its that dry powdery snow and tends to blow off the roads. However the drifts can be mighty deep and it is too easy if you are not careful to high center a vehicle. Even qauds in this snow can have a difficult time negotiating the snow. I have lived in North Central Montana for over 5 years and have some experience of the winters and yet I still stuck my truck feeding my horses no less than five times. And there I sat for a preset amount of time until that time expired and my wife came out to check on me. Cell phones? Hah. In isolated areas, count on no service. Don't get me wrong, I love living where I live.

So isolated you want, isolated you can get. It can also kill you.

Good luck.

True, true and again not exaggerating. Good post.

[rickers]

I'm getting on in years and need to live near a hospital for my impending stroke or heart attack ! I also like being to be able to walk to the IGA for my grub and my swill !

[PerduePro]

Thanks for all of the warnings, we'll keep them in mind.

Heck if I die on the mountains, that's the way I want to go. I'd rather it be somewhere where I'm content than living a life full of regrets for not living my dreams. Life is too short to not go for it.

I do need to learn the difference between black bear and grizzly scat though...

[Broz]

Originally Posted by PerduePro

Thanks for all of the warnings, we'll keep them in mind.

Heck if I die on the mountains, that's the way I want to go. I'd rather it be somewhere where I'm content than living a life full of regrets for not living my dreams. Life is too short to not go for it.

I do need to learn the difference between black bear and grizzly scat though...

If this is what you want to do ... then go for it man. If nothing less it will be an adventure. Good luck to you and I hope it all works out great.

As for the bear scat, Just an old joke I heard and had to toss it in the mix.

.

[Morganpony]

Solar in the deep mtn valleys will be spotty- ditto for the wind power. I hear they/gvmt will be outlawing/taxing woodburning.

In our area ( Butte) we get less than 80 days frost to frost.... that means no carrots, tomatoes ( I don't care how little days they say on the pkg you don't get warm enough soil ) corn, squash, cucumbers or much of anything except cole crops ( cabbage family) radishes, lettuce, spinach, peas, tiny potatoes- without greenhouses. Even with supplemental heat you cant' keep a greenhouse going past Halloween or so.

If you are in a mtn valley you will not be able to grow grain crops for your family, or hay for your livestock. The grazing rate is not "animals per acre" in most areas of MT - it is "acres per animal".

As for cold - it is not unusual for Jan/Feb to hit -60 plus wind chill - and the kids still are expected to go to school! tho we have been blessed/cursed with warmer springs the last couple years ( no not global warming - just reg weather cycles) the curse it that without two + weeks under -20 the bark beetles are taking over the forests - Plenty of firewood - but the bugs escape and kills the trees at you homestead as well =(

I'm sure that no one is really bashing your ideas, just trying to make you aware of the reality of the situation - please visit, live near a small town for the first year ..... Better safe than sorry plus with all the variables you will need the time to scope out the most PERFECT place to set up your dream!

Morganpony - Homesteading to the limit of our abilities and Living off the grid - 10 miles outside of Butte and LOVING IT!

[JoeMama2009]

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[jarsmom]

Originally Posted by PerduePro

Thanks for all of the warnings, we'll keep them in mind.

Heck if I die on the mountains, that's the way I want to go. I'd rather it be somewhere where I'm content than living a life full of regrets for not living my dreams. Life is too short to not go for it.

I do need to learn the difference between black bear and grizzly scat though...

The previous poster is correct, this an old joke. BTW can I intrest you
in a snipe hunt

[MAGSF]

Unless you are into sharing spouses you will want to stay away from Pinesdale.

[YankeeTom]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

PerduePro says:

Be sure to let someone know where you'll be doing this so the authorities can recover your bodies in the Spring.

Come on, the buzzards need to eat too.