I created this fund raiser to support a local woman, Nancy Davis, who is the owner of Stehekin Outfitters. All funds will go directly to her. Help save her herd of horses, and her small business in the isolated mountain community which is threatened by a 37,000 acre wildfire. With your help, the horse-supported recreational opportunities have a better chance of a future following this devastating summer.

With the huge wildfire looming over Stehekin, many local businesses are pivoting to assist the firefighting operations in supportive roles. Many of you have reached out during this difficult time with offers to help in some way. We know someone who needs your help.

Stehekin is an amazing community—part of what makes it so special are the 1000’s of people who travel here every summer. Located adjacent to Stehekin Valley Ranch, Stehekin Outfitters is a small business owned and operated by a local woman, Nancy Davis, who lives here in Stehekin with her husband and their three young sons. Her trusty herd of 18 horses provide recreational opportunities for visitors to the Stehekin Valley.

The horses work their summers in Stehekin to earn the money to cover the expenses for their “room and board” through the winter months in the Methow valley. The horses can’t winter in Stehekin because the deep snow is too difficult for them to navigate. They are barged out in the fall, and return by barge in the spring.

The Norwegian Fjord horses normally spend the summer months transporting guests on day-rides to Howard Lake or Bridge Creek. Spring and Fall are spent packing in camps to Cottonwood and Bridge Creek for their Tent-to-Tent program. Over the course of the summer, they enjoy hosting four horse camps, where young, hopeful equestrians get the opportunity to learn the basics of horse care and riding.

Due to the Pioneer Fire, which started on June 8th and has grown to over 37,000 acres, there are no guests; the tent-to-tent camps had to be removed; the forest is shut down for pack trips; the horse camps had to be cancelled. The horses are now spending most of their time doing their next favorite thing—Eating! Typically, over the course of the summer several semi-truck loads of hay are barged in to supplement their diet.

Because of the fire, and the loss of this summer’s income opportunities, Stehekin Outfitters doesn’t have the overhead to provide for the horses through the coming year.

Stehekin Outfitters provide access to the backcountry and share the joy of horses with visitors to the valley. Horses have been a huge part of the heritage of Stehekin. Please consider making a contribution toward supporting these wonderful animals and helping ensure this small business will be preserved, and can continue to enhance the experience of the visitors to Stehekin.