May 25, 2024
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Dan Snell shares growing up in Morocco in North Africa before moving to North Carolina, joining the Marines at 17. He became a lookout at Patrol Mountain, Lewis and Clark National Forest, in 1972 and was a lookout for twenty-two years. Dan describes feeling lucky and comfortable there. Dan talks about geography, wildlife, and experiencing the power of lightning strikes and storms. Dan says he later staffed Swede Mountain Lookout near Libby and how different it was from the remoteness of Patrol. He said he had one wedding and three funerals while there. Dan shares insights, discusses the importance of preserving the history of lookouts, the lessons learned from his experiences, and the unique perspective of life he gained from being a lookout. He talks of the emotional toll of witnessing tragedies such as 9/11 while being on a lookout. He also discusses the significant impact of nature on his life, emphasizing the connection he feels with the land and the personal growth that comes from spending time in nature.
Northwest Montana Lookout Association 