Gerry Messmer shares his recreation of “Ashley’s Return”, the longest, unsupported journey of it’s kind ever undertaken in the U.S.

We’d like to thank the Interlaken Historical Society for sharing their Winter 2023 Program. I’ve wanted to catch Gerry’s presentation since I followed it’s progress online several years ago. Being able to listen to Gerry retell the tale is wonderful. Thank you to the Interlaken Historical Society for sharing this video of the presentation.

Gerry Messmer, Lt. Col. (Retired) takes us on his 2019 “crazy trek of 2000 miles re-creating the journey of William Henry Ashley."
In 1825 Ashley traveled from southwest Wyoming to St. Louis to bring his beaver pelts to market, establishing the western fur trade rendezvous system that opened up westward expansion. Gerry and two friends, Jack Mitch and Scott Staggs rode 700 miles on horse, rowed 400 miles in a bull boat and pirogue, and then journeyed 900 miles by keelboat on the Missouri River that was 22 feet above flood stage.
This is the longest, unsupported journey of this kind ever undertaken in the country.

All of their equipment was handmade and hand sewed and period correct to 1825. Gerry is a native of Interlaken, graduating from SSCS in 1982.

He is the son of Gerry and Millie Messmer, and served for 31 years in the Army. Now retired, Gerry, and his wife Cathy, live in Odessa, NY where Gerrry serves as Mayor. He owns Powderhorns and More, the single largest powder horn manufacturer in the country, Cathy owns Curlystitch Embroidery (Powderhornsandmore.com).