Exploring the Wallowas with the modern-day "Horsewomen of the Hen Party" | Oregon Field Guide

Around 1930, La Grande horsewoman Jean Birnie began leading all-female packing trips into the rugged Wallowa Mountains. Nearly a century later, her descendants celebrate the epic landscape and intimate connection with nature that Jean passed on to them.
Learn more www.opb.org/article/2024/04/0...
Chapters:
0:00 The Introduction to Horsewomen of the Hen Party
1:22 The summer 2023 trip begins
4:18 The Hen Party archive
6:20 Campfire song and the Log of the Ladies
7:17 Poem
8:28 The Hen Party route
10:19 Jean's speech to her women's club
11:02 Grace's story, Jean's best friend
14:41 Jean's speech to her women's club
19:02 The hike to Eagle Cap
23:20 Hen Party women in the news paper
23:51 The protection of the Minam
25:32 Last day of camp
27:31 The Making of the "Horsewomen of the Hen Party"
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#horsewomen #henparty #WallowaMountains #horsebackadventures #horsebackriding #horsewomenoftheHenParty #cowgirls #Wallowas #horsewomen #logoftheladies #OPB #Oregon #PacificNorthWest

[@giovannalepore5946]

THE HEALING POWER OF THE HORSE AND THE ABILITY OF THESE EQUINES TO TRAVERSE THIS TERRAIN SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED

[@timkellysr1102]

What a heart warming saga. This is very special to me. My mother was born in Hot Lake, Oregon and lived her younger years in Hells Canyon down in Homestead. She had many fond memories. Her aunt also owned the gas station and store in Pine. She was daughter to the pioneers. They were a hearty bunch back in the day. Thank you ladies for keeping the tradition.❤️✌️

[@maryspiering1205]

This was absolutely one of the best Oregon Field Guide segments I have ever seen. You captured the essence of the women of the West who continue to pursue adventures in the wilderness. The videography was stunning, the story line perfected, and the personalization heartwarming. Thank you and a special thanks to the three sisters and their families who allowed a glimpse into their beautiful lives.

[@sarameitner6770]

Their story touched me deeply. Thank you for sharing this to us all. Thank you to the women who began the journey - and documented the years in picture and word - to the sisters and their children - and the supporting teams - who recaptured what treks might encompass. My parents were Oregonians. My brothers and I - and our children - grew up hearing such stories - homesteading in remote areas (which have remained so) in the dryness of Central and Eastern Oregon - dipping 10,000 cans of water out of the creek per day to water the food crops, living on floathouses on the coast, making music and working together - surviving and ultimately triumphing, despite any odds - and loving it throughout. We listened with love and interest - and awe, gathered pictures and tapes, have spent time in those places and carry those stories in our hearts - so I can imagine how much this meant to these women to have the chance to experience things their ancestors did. Thank you for making it possible for them.

[@odettebrinton3745]

The tradition of the American "pioneer women" lives on. A superb and brilliant essay. Thank you.

[@joecutro7318]

Super sweet story superbly recounted. Deep respect for these women and the filmmakers. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@DarciBarker-lu8gi]

Thank you so much for allowing us to share this remarkable and amazing journey!! ❤

[@hankmishima4798]

Thanks for sharing this story. I can vividly remember my hiking trip to the top of the Eagle Cap some 50 years ago. It is beautiful part of the state that all should see. Stories like these are also why I support the organization.

[@michaelchase418]

This show, the showcasing of folks like these, growing up with Steve and Ed and everyone producing and starring in each of the episodes. I was a young boy in 90 or 91 when the first episode came out. My mom and dad and my siblings all sat together in the family room every Thursday evening. We almost never missed an episode as a family until i was older. I spent a large portion of my young adult life traveling to as many places in Oregon based on what I learned of on OFG. The steens, Alvord desert, crack in the ground, the willowas, the eagle cap wilderness, the Rogue River, the Columbia, John day fossil beds, John day river, every mile of the coast line, literally every mile, I learned how to surf, rock climb, mountaineer, hike day and multiday hikes, I've driven through the high deserts, climbed and scurried around the rim of fort rock, summited Diamond Peak, all Three Sisters and Mount Hood and the list of places I've been and things I've done, so many crazy memories and stories. Owning/starting my own whitewater rafting guide company on the Mckenzie, recovering a deceased man's body from the Rogue River below Blossom Bar, that same day another woman lost her life in that same rapid. I saw the sheriff's leave down River that day twice with bodies on the back of their boat. I don't know if I would have lived the life I've lived without this legacy show, showcasing legacy Oregonians. Thanks for another great episode.

[@theholepicture]

Love and admire these lades, hope the young generation that came along revived the Hen Party Tradition. At 70 and filling apart hats off to the sisters.

[@user-xz8bi1yj6b]

After watching this film, I immediately forwarded the link to my long-time hiking/backpacking/camping friend. We were both moved to tears, admiration and a bit of nostalgia by the story of these brave and intrepid women. The scenery and interactions were beautifully filmed and the poetry was lovely - especially that song, "under the moon". I wrote down the lyrics as best I could while listening to it. I understood the inability of the other two listening women to sing along because of their tears. I felt the same. Thank you so much for this film.

[@AintNoFool]

I absolutely loved this! (Admittedly with some envy...). Great documentary.

[@arthiemstra4080]

What great history and a great story, now and then. My thanks to the family for allowing us to follow, and to OPB for such a wonderful production. It took my breath away, especially the opening scene, where I've stood. And the campfire chats and song. Priceless. I want to go back.

[@d.s.douglas1281]

ThankYou So Much !!! It’s so incredibly inspiring to know women in their 60-70- 80s ! Are still riding, let alone hiking to the mountain tops 🙌🏻…. What a Fantastic adventure what Brave Courageous ppl!!! I would Love to go on a Hen Ride …!!!!!!!!❤❤❤ Amen 🙏🏻

[@ErichDressen]

This is amazing! Way to go ladies. OPB, nice work. I felt like I was there.

[@DanitaReynolds]

Incredible! Beautiful story telling about beautiful women doing beautiful adventures together.

[@kevinhumble6263]

thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!!!!!!

[@desertflinger11]

This is awesome. I have done this on foot all the way to the amazing view on the Cap. But I was half their age. They defiantly have grit!!!

[@SoulsprouterZ]

Beautiful experience & connection. Thanks for sharing. Peace. ☮️

[@victoriakelly2591]

Beautiful, encouraging. I'd love to do that someday. Thanks for sharing .

[@novampires223]

Spent some time there with horses and pack mules in the early '80s, a highlight in my life.

[@ljdrew]

This was wonderful to see. I have family in LaGrande and Cove and they spent a lot of summers in the Minam. I'm sure my great grandma knew the original Hen Party.

[@lindamagee9584]

What an awesome trip and the ladies were something else. How wonderful

[@SamnJD]

I started watching this because I live in the Pacific Northwest and I’m a huge OPB person and history… I had never heard of these women before because I left Eastern Washington/Oregon to move to the coast of Oregon dot. I moved here about 5 1/2 years ago. My grandparents lived in Joseph Oregon very involved the other side of the Wallowa Mountains. I thought if my grandma Jesse was in Joseph at this time which they weren’t because they were traveling around the country as my grandfather was in the rodeo circuit… Very involved with Joseph. He was a Grande Marshall actually pretty big deal, she would’ve definitely been involved with the hand party. So as I started watching it, I got a third of the way and I’m like Jessica cause I hadn’t read the article so I called her immediately because I was so excited for her to be part of this, fabulous group of women being the great grandniece of grace who left this world way too soon and three small children… Such an inspiring story and for the great granddaughters and their daughters to go on this journey wow what an experience. Thank you so much for listening to the person who came and brought the story to you realizing it was very important to put it on OPB… This is why I have sponsored them for so many years.

[@wadesmith7041]

Can I come next time looks like a beautiful spot me I can't think of a better way to get there👍🌲🗻 God bless you ladies 🙏

[@JENIFERNELSON-fo6cz]

Wow, incredible story, so beautifully told, Jule- you have incredible talent and grace

[@JudyJohnson-dl8ji]

Awesome story. I would love to do that

[@bobedwards7455]

Wow! 🤩 Now that was a good worthwhile cry 😢 Thanks

[@shewho333]

I have never felt more at home than I did riding a horse up into those mountains.

[@sheilam4964]

A very inspiring group of girls. I want to join the group and go out at least every year. Thx everyone for doing this, filming it and sharing it with us.

[@topramen647]

Thanks..looks like goodtimes

[@user-pm7uk1vd9h]

So glad we still have the beauty of wild places💕

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

What a beautiful story, I absolutely loved it.... and of course it brought back memories of my own pack trips up into the high country of the Cascade Mountains many decades ago.

[@maggiehennessy5139]

What an incredible this was. Thank you for sharing such an amazing, intimate story. I have been blessed to visit the Wallowa area several times but this viewpoint was far above any that I could hope for.

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Really neat story , and how they got it filmed . Thankyou . They should write a book about the history of this with the story's and poetry. Would love it .

[@matthewbolton4289]

That girl can sing!

[@robinowen3058]

I’ve ridden a lot in the Wallowas-challenging, exciting and awesome.

[@clairea-t7045]

Respect

[@mikeporter6952]

Outstanding! Thank you! Wow !!

[@sgtmcc6]

Outstanding

[@skyybluu3118]

Great video thank you 👍🏻

[@merlinnewton6104]

I have been blessed to be able to pack in three Ladies into the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. I ride and pack my horses and the ladies hike in. They aren’t real thrilled about riding horses. Oh to masquerade as a hen back in the day.

[@mikerodriguez5105]

Mountain Bound 🙏

[@AintNoFool]

Those deaths could also have created a sense that life is no guarantee, so one better grab onto those desires, dreams, and make them happen.

[@tarriegibson1193]

I'm sure it was nice not having any males there telling you how everything was going to be and trying to control everything. You could actually enjoy nature on your own terms...🙂 this is awesome.

[@dalvinm]

Hey Mull You didn’t write the song. It was channeled through you. That song is older than you and me.

[@dalvinm]

The "Mull" reference didn't give it away? "It's only Natural" that it may be hard to guess.... The song was beautiful BTW.. TY for sharing.

[@joshuaking7519]

my people

[@user-xz8bi1yj6b]

...also, I loved that song, but because of other voices conversing, could not catch all the lyrics. Could someone, maybe the songwriter, make them available? Please!

[@andrekuh3956]

YEAH THIS KINDA THERAPY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR AL HUMAN BEINGS. BACK TO MOTHER NATURE. PLEASE YOY LADIES KEEP THIS TRADITION GOING FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING. GOOD STUFF LADIES.😊❤😊

[@sandrageries5219]

Would love to know the title of the song that Casey Jane sang around the evening campfire. She sang, “Momma, she raised me on horseback.”

[@OPB]

It may not be available yet but the song is called “The Fool”, written by Casey Jane Reece-Kaigler.

[@sandrageries5219]

Thanks so much for your response.

[@tyshaver108]

My first reaction is we might still be living in grass huts. I enjoy the remedial history lesson though.

[@Sdempsey2023]

Can me and my daughter go next time? PLEASE!

[@BeingMe23]

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable 💪 🧏‍♀️

[@amystuck987]

If I could do just one thing....

[@andrekuh3956]

HEY IAM VERY PRPUD OF YOU WOMEN.😊❤😊.

[@andrekuh3956]

YOU LADIES I WAS JUST THINKIN, YA NEED AT LEAST 2 PARAMEDICS FOR EMERGENCIES AND A VETERINARY NURSE FOR YUR HORSES AND DOGS WELL BEING.

[@wanderingtmp]

Likely a given since they had a professional outfitter crew and the OFG film crew and production staff along with them.

[@Starfish2145]

I wouldn’t put my horse at risk on a trail like that. It’s selfish.

[@marge3157]

😐

[@CoralHullforJesusChrist]

1.09. Cruelty to horses. It's a cowardly act to force a horse to endure this. How would these women like a bit in their mouths and to be tugged and pulled over jagged rocks on mountain tops?

[@marge3157]

😐

[@YeshuBenPandera]

how is this a story... how are any of these women facing hardship? they didn't even have the sense to keep their stuff dry when going into the mountains, insanity

[@marge3157]

😐