Staff Bios
The Thompsons
Mike Thompson- Outfitter
I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to go to work in the awe-inspiring backcountry of our first national park; Yellowstone. I feel I am realizing a 
life long dream by living a lifestyle that includes the western traditions and ethics passed down to me by my ancestors.
I come from a long line of care-takers of the land. My Great Grandparents homesteaded in North Dakota. My Grandparents continued the ways of farming and ranching and Erin, the kids and I have recently made the decision to spend our winters on a nearby farm/ranch just a few miles from where my parents still ranch on the original farmstead that has been in the family for over 100 years. Whether the backyard is Yellowstone or the prairies of North Dakota, keeping the traditions of horses, outdoor living, and caring for the environment are an important part of my heritage.
Outfitting in Yellowstone allows me to use my formal education in Animal and Range Science as well as my life experiences. My goal is to share my dream; keeping the traditions of western heritage alive and to provide you with the best possible backcountry experience I can.
Erin Thompson Outfitter/camp-cook
I enjoy that I can combine a lifetime of horse-handling experience with back country cooking and travel. I met Mike working as a camp cook for R.K. Miller. We married and purchased the pack trip business the same year. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a remarkable life. As our children grow older and travel Yellowstone’s wilderness with us, I realize it is about so much more than providing good food. We are raising the next generation of people that will understand why wilderness is important. We are sharing our unique family lifestyle with others who will be influenced by our standards.
Truman
Truman is now 13 years old, (practically a veteran, making his first pack trip when he was 8 months old.) Truman says, "The best thing about pack trips is meeting new people and riding my horses, Dollar and Bob." He enjoys collecting John Deere tractors, livestock judging in 4-H, and busy playing football and basketball.
Augustus "Gus"
Gus is 11 years old. This future guide is very passionate about fly fishing, fly fishing and did we mention, fly fishing? Gus is learning to tie flies and is getting quite good at it. He is also great help in camp for chopping firewood and getting the campfire started. He loves the cowboy life.
Henry
Henry is now 9 years old. He loves mom’s horse, Sunshine, and his own pony, Chicklet. Henry is always game for throwing rocks in the river and having a campfire. He loves camping and feeding the horses. Henry rode " Skip " this past September, with a little help from Mom.
LaRue Seitz
Erin's 23-year-old daughter has been baking for the summer season since she was a young girl. LaRue once commented to her grandmother that she loved baking. Her grandmother's reply was, "Baking is great Rue, but you are still going to college, right?" Yes, LaRue has since graduated from the College of Idaho, where she has a degree in Biology. LaRue is presently coaching youth league at Bridger Bowl. Thankfully the snow will melt and LaRue will return to bake our guests mouth-watering brownies and pies.
Cooks, Wranglers, Ranchers and Friends
Each season we have the good fortune of reuniting with long time friends and
relatives that have 
worked with us on select trips. These men and
women have become members of our family and we would miss them dearly if they
didn’t join us on a trip.
It is amazing to us, that, as we continue to do what we love most, good people enter our lives and help us grow.
Katie Thompson
Katie joined us in 2007 as the cook, the cook’s helper, wrangler and a wrangler for Henry. Katie brings a bubbly enthusiasm for the outdoors and horses to our camp. She works hard and always has a great smile on her face. We anxiously await the return of Katie and her bundle of joy, Archer, for the summer in 2010.
Mr. Jim Doll
Jim and his wife, Cynthia, joined us as guests 11 years ago. Jim’s passion for the West and elk drove him to seek a "retirement" position with us each summer. He comes on trips when he can and is always great to have along. He leads a pack string, makes the best camp benches, wrangles horses and wrestles with our boys, who think of him as a Grand-Dad. He is a great friend and hard worker, always ready to lend a helping hand.
Our return guests have gotten to know and love this "Jersey Cowboy", who now resides in Maryland where he and his wife raise Welsh Ponies. You can visit their site at: www.dollhousefarms.com
Mr. Bob Simonson
Mike has known Bob since he was a young boy. Bob and his wife, Mary, now live in Bowman, North Dakota. We keep "pulling him out of retirement" so that he can join us on pack trips.
Bob brings that calm, cool, western authenticity to our camp. This rancher shares his heritage, lifestyle and great sense of humor with us like no other.
Mr. Dave Schmitz
Dave is as close to family as a friend can get. His and Mike’s family have hunted and shared "get-togethers" for a long as Mike can remember.
Dave is by far, the friendliest person we have ever met. He’s knowledgeable
horseman, mechanic, hunter and outdoorsman. On the side, Dave is busy constructing
new panniers, saddle bags and chaps for us and returning guests. Our boys think
he’s the coolest and he is always quick to help us in a pinch. Many Thanks!
Mr. Dave Thorpe
Dave is our business advisor, spiritual inspiration and friend. He comes from a long line of adventurers; he has his grandfather’s diary that chronicles his pack trip through Yellowstone over 100 years ago.
Dave has been very instrumental helping us work toward achieving our personal and business goals. He is a great sounding board for ideas and not afraid to ask questions.
Doug and Karri Parisi
The Parisi’s are special friends, who devote their summer weekends shuttling all the vehicles from one trailhead to another for us. They have made it possible to really improve our trips (by not having to backtrack on trails to the same trailhead.) Their friendship and attention to scheduling details are greatly appreciated!
Gary Matthews, LCPC, CFP®
On occasion, Gary joins us for a backcountry pack trip.
He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Financial Planner®
with a private practice in Bozeman. He helps us on trips where individuals, couples,
or families seek counseling support while in the Yellowstone backcountry. Gary enjoys
expressing his creativity as well. He designed and built our website.
Learn more about Gary’s
counseling practice.
Mike and Erin Thompson
Winter Ranch Contact: (701)523-4907
Summer Ranch Contact: (406)848-9953
email: packtrips@aol.com