mountain man

A mountain man was an explorer and trapper in the American West during the early 19th century. They typically roamed wilderness areas, setting traps for animals like beavers for their fur, and living independently in rugged, remote environments. Mountain men played a key role in exploring the western territories, mapping routes, and trading fur with traders and indigenous peoples. Their skills in survival, navigation, and outdoor living made them important figures in the westward expansion, and their stories have become part of American frontier history.