Imagine being dropped into the untamed wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in the early 19th century with no modern tools, no backup plan, just your wits, your instincts, and the unforgiving landscape. That was Osborne Russell’s reality when he joined an expedition in 1834. What started as a mission to capitalize on the fur trade turned into nine harrowing years of survival.
In his vivid account, Journal of a Trapper, Russell doesn’t just recount the dangers he faced grizzly bear attacks, trading with Native Americans, and bitter winters, but also the raw beauty of the land he called home. His descriptions of Yellowstone, decades before it became a national park, will transport you to an untouched frontier.
This isn’t the polished tale of a polished man. As Russell himself warns, this is the raw, unvarnished life of a trapper. But it’s also a story of grit, survival, and transformation that shaped not only a man but the future of the American West.
The campfire is ready, so stay with me tonight the story is about to start. My name is Sam, and this is Wild America.
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00:01:10 - Chapter I
00:09:40 - Chapter II
00:18:57 - Chapter III
00:32:03 - Chapter IV
00:42:31 - Chapter V
01:01:57 - Chapter VI
01:11:00 - Chapter VII
01:22:24 - Chapter VIII
01:32:47 - Chapter IX
01:39:41 - Chapter X
01:46:39 - Chapter XI
01:53:58 - Chapter XII
02:08:00 - Chapter XIII
02:22:17 - Chapter XIV
02:28:10 - Chapter XV
02:36:39 - Chapter XVI
02:45:54 - Chapter XVII
02:50:53 - Chapter XVIII
03:06:23 - Chapter XIX
03:16:23 - Chapter XX
03:19:43 - Chapter XXI
03:29:44 - Chapter XXII
03:38:45 - Chapter XXIII
03:47:32 - Chapter XXIV
03:56:15 - Chapter XXV
04:06:57 - Chapter XXVI
04:26:26 - Chapter XXVII
04:33:46 - Chapter XXVIII
04:42:27 - Chapter XXIX
04:52:27 - Chapter XXX
04:58:27 - Chapter XXXI:
05:03:35 - Chapter XXXII
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All materials in these videos are used for educational purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video and have a problem with the use of said material, please contact me via my email in the "about" page on my channel.
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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Wild America sometimes utilizes similar historical images, AI representations and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Wild America is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are American history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.
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