Casper&Wyoming Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Managing Editor Ron Gullberg can be reached at (307) 266-0560, 1-800-559-0583 or [email protected] A3 Uniforms and numbers behind a name ey, Answer Girl, with stitches you could see,” of the owners of 33-Mile book is more of a biography, in the Big Horn Mountains. What’s on the Carol Aanonsen wrote in an email. Ranch, said it’s named for but it’s packed with local They called the area Merino. shoulders of the Seavey They do look a bit like ep- the road it’s on: 33-Mile history. The 33-Mile Stage Sta- H Cowboys’ football aulets — the often-fringed Road. She added that Fred tion closed when the railroad uniforms? Are they sup- shoulder pads that decorate The road was once a Henderson had a stage sta- came through in 1922. It posed to look like epau- military uniforms — but I sheep trail that led to ship- tion there in 1908. It was stretched from Salt Creek lets? – Football Fan think Michael Jackson wore ping pens. called the 33-Mile Stage Oil Field at Midwest 43 miles Dear Football Fan, them better. “It was exactly 33 miles Station and the road that south to the junction of the The design is called fly- Hey, Answer Girl, from Casper,” Bressler said. led there was called 33-Mile Chicago and Northwestern wire and was chosen by the How did the 33-Mile Rick Young, director Road. Railroad at the Illco Cross- company that made the jer- Ranch get its name? It of Fort Caspar Museum in “This was one of the ing on 33-Mile Road. When Answer Girl seys, according to Michael isn’t 33 miles northwest Casper, recommended a stations between Casper the railroad was built, a large “Mad Dog” Aanonsen, ath- Star-Tribune of Casper. — Mary book by a local author for and Buffalo,” she wrote in an shearing shed and corrals letic equipment manager for Dear Mary, more information. Donna email. called the 33-Mile Shearing the University of Wyoming. thicker and less likely to rip. You’re right. It’s only Johnston, of Casper, wrote Sheep ranchers gath- Pens were built. The stitching holds to- “Some schools do the about 15 miles northwest “The 33-Mile Road (of Na- ered there in early summer “The train provided gether two pieces of fabric, stitching in the same color of Casper off U.S. Highway trona County, Wyoming)” to shear their herds before making the shoulder area as the fabric, but we went 20/26. Robert Bressler, one in 2006. The self-published heading to summer pastures Please see uniforms, A4

Conference ‘I write about adventure’ examines Laramie native healthcare hikes peaks, teaches changes

students to reflect By JOSHUA WOLFSON Star-Tribune staff writer By LEAH TODD Star-Tribune staff writer Steven Brill, author of a groundbreaking Time maga- Laramie native and adven- zine article that examined ture writer Mark Jenkins has why American health care is climbed , hitch- so expensive, will headline a hiked through Tibet, bicycled three-day consumer issues coast-to-coast across what was conference at the University once the Soviet Union and writ- of Wyoming. ten about canyoneering for Play- The conference, which boy magazine. begins Wednesday, will focus And he is still going. on changes occurring within Today, Jenkins is a writer in the American health care sys- residence at the University of tem. Speakers will discuss the Wyoming. The native son’s love Affordable Care Act, but the for the outdoors stems from early conference’s focus won’t be camping trips to Yellowstone Na- limited to the federal health tional Park and his free-thinking reform law, UW Professor parents, and he brings a thought- Virginia Vincenti said. ful tenacity to anything he writes. “We tried to find people His accounts of international ad- who could talk about different venture are not high-brow philo- new approaches to delivering sophical musings, but it’s impos- heath care, and new innova- sible not to notice the philosophy tions that may not have ex- major behind the keyboard when isted until recently,” she said. reading his recap of his latest ex- The conference will open a pedition. day after the launch of Wyo- Jenkins will make a stop in ming’s health insurance ex- Casper today to speak about his change, which was put into journey to the top of Mount Ever- place by the Affordable Care est on assignment for National Act. The exchange will serve Geographic in 2012. The stop is as a sort of virtual market- part of the university-sponsored place where consumers can World to Wyoming lecture series, shop for insurance. Other a project Jenkins heads as a UW major pieces of the law take alumnus and guest lecturer. Contributed effect in January, including “I suppose had I grown up in Today in Casper, Mark Jenkins will discuss his ascent of Mount Everest. the requirement that most New York City I’d write about Americans possess health Wall Street,” Jenkins said. “I grew coverage. up in Wyoming. So I write about Ify ou go … Consumers are still try- adventure.” ing to understand how they’ll ■■What: “Climbing Everest,” a be affected by the new law. A A Laramie life presentation by University of Kaiser Health Tracking Poll Wyoming writer-in-residence Mark performed last month found Jenkins was not always a writer. Jenkins. the majority of Americans “I wasn’t a writer as a kid,” he ■■When: 7 p.m. today, Oct. 1. didn’t know the exchange said. “I was a kid.” ■■Where: Casper College’s Wold was about to open. When he was 7 years old he was Physical Science Building Room Conference organizers on a bicycle, he said, riding across 103 hope to provide the public a prairie — and not with his nose ■■Cost: Free and open to the with objective information in a book. His father, a UW math- public. about the law, while avoiding ematics professor, hauled his six politics, Vincenti said. children and two golden retriev- “There is so much misin- ers to vacations in the Wyoming Few climbers write as well as formation and so many sourc- wilderness that would last weeks. Jenkins can, and few writers climb es of information that are sort By age 15, Jenkins was hitchhiking as hard, said Peter Gwin, Jenkins’ of faddish, or sources that are around Europe and in college he editor on the expeditions beat at not well founded in medicine took semesters off whenever in- National Geographic. and science,” she said. spiration to climb a mountain took “There are other people that Contributed | Mark Jenkins The event opens at 7 p.m. hold. I’ve worked with and encountered M ark Jenkins and fellow climbers make their way up Mount Everest in 2012. Wednesday with a public The writing came later, Jen- who have the skills — they can showing of the documen- kins said, when at UW philosophy climb and do all these things — but route. You and me.” “Eventually he talked me into tary “Escape Fire: The Fight classes caught his attention and, they can’t write,” Gwin said. Harlin, a former editor at the it,” Harlin said. The pair scaled to Rescue American Health- ultimately, earned him enough American Alpine Journal and cur- the highest in {span}the care.” Brill will participate in credits to become his major. Comrades in adventure rently a senior program officer at Coast Range of British Columbia, a videoconference at 9 a.m. “Everest is a walk in the park the nonprofit Mountain Institute, Canada, up a face that had never Friday in the Wyoming Union compared to trying to write about John Harlin remembers the fax was not immediately convinced been climbed. Family Room. Everest,” Jenkins said. “For me, he got from Jenkins in 1995. Its by his friend. He lost his father Joel Charles, a manager at For more information, or the physical struggle is oftentimes message was simple. and a close friend to mountain- the Pedal House bicycle shop in to register, visit www.uwyo. a metaphor for the mental strug- “Mount Waddington,” Har- eering, and for 15 years Harlin edu/cic/ or call 307-766- gle. It gives you perspective.” lin recalled the fax saying. “New stayed away from any alpine peak. Please see jenkins, A4 4079 or 307-766-5262.

In brief From staff & wire reports Casper man dies Jacobson said Manning wasn’t wearing dirty. If the water is not clear in 20 minutes, County talks collector his seat belt and likely died of severe blunt residents should call the city at 307-235- in head-on collision force trauma to the chest and head. 8360 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or at cars, road extension An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. 307-235-8278 after daytime work hours. A Casper Police official said an investiga- The Natrona County Commission will tion is ongoing after a 76-year-old man died City of Casper flushing Group preps consider approving a collector car permit Sunday evening as a result of a head-on today for Natrona County resident Robert collision near Fort Caspar. fire hydrants medical pot initiative Cook to store four antique vehicles and Thomas Manning Jr. of Casper died on The city of Casper’s fire hydrant flushing Weed Wyoming will file a state ballot three demolition derby cars on his 10-acre the scene, according to Natrona County that began on Sept. 23 will continue for a initiative for 2016 to permit medical mari- property. Coroner Connie Jacobson. A police official few more weeks, said Pete Meyers, assistant juana use. Commissioners will also consider chang- said the other driver, whose name wasn’t public services director. The nonprofit group drafted an initiative ing the zoning for a 16-acre tract west of released, was hospitalized. The system-wide flush is a preventative that focuses on medical rather than recre- Casper off Squaw Creek Road to allow for Casper Police say Manning was driv- technique used to maintain water quality, ational uses of cannabis. Members believe it low-density residential development. ing his passenger car eastbound on West according to a city press release. has a better chance than an all-or-nothing Also on the agenda is consideration of 13 Street and the unnamed male suspect Running water through the hydrants at approach, according to a Weed Wyoming accepting roughly $120,000 in Office of was driving his pickup truck westbound. a high velocity helps scour the water mains press release. Homeland Security grants. The vehicles collided about 7:15 p.m. near and control corrosion. Residents may see The initiative would allow people to cul- A public hearing to extend county-owned Southwest Wyoming Boulevard. water running in the streets and dirty- tivate up to 10 marijuana plants and possess Six Mile Road to the north is also slated Sgt. Jim Wetzel said no further details looking water coming from water spigots. up to 10 ounces. Smoking of marijuana for the county’s meeting, which begins at about the positioning of the vehicles were The city suggests leaving a faucet on would be permitted in any location that 5:30 p.m. in the Natrona County Courthouse immediately available. for 15 to 20 minutes if water appears to be allows tobacco smoke. at 200 N. Center St. in Casper. A4 casper& wyoming Casper Star-Tribune Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Sinclair refinery operates Casper man arrested normally after explosion for threatening bully By JOSHUA WOLFSON of Rawlins. Star-Tribune staff writer No injuries occurred during the fire. Nor By MEGAN CASSIDY lost control,” a police affida- did the blaze cause any damage in the adja- Star-Tribune staff writer justice tracker vit states. He said he did not Sinclair Wyoming Refinery continues to cent town of Sinclair, according to police. intend to hurt anyone. operate at normal rates despite an explo- Several fires have occurred at the facility It was more the man’s Mecklenburg appeared sion and fire that occurred there last week, in the recent past. In July, two workers were bullying than his anti-pa- in Natrona County Circuit the company said in a statement released injured during a blaze at the facility. There triotism that reportedly in- Court on Monday afternoon Monday. were two fires reported at the refinery in censed Glenn Mecklenburg and was charged with bat- The cause of the Friday night explosion August 2012, and two separate fires in May in the first place. The man’s tery and reckless endanger- is still unknown. Sinclair employees, local 2012 injured six workers. disrespect for a “Support the ment, both misdemeanors. contractors and state agencies are working An analysis of federal data performed Troops” flag was just the fi- He pleaded guilty to both. to determine what happened, the state- earlier this year by the Star-Tribune found nal straw. When Judge Michael ment said. that Wyoming oil refineries faced more ci- Mecklenburg, 27, was Patchen asked what hap- The explosion occurred at 10 p.m. in a tations for dangerous safety conditions per helping a friend move out of pened, Mecklenburg ex- unit that removes sulfur from various re- oil barrel of production capacity than those a Durbin Street apartment ■■Name: Glenn Mecklenburg plained that his friend’s finery streams, Sinclair Senior Vice Presi- in any other state over the past five years. Friday evening when the al- ■■Age: 27 brother was being a d- — to dent Clint Ensign said in a subsequent leged incident occurred. ■■Charges: Battery, reckless his friend, who is disabled. email. The refinery’s own fire brigade ■■Contact Joshua Wolfson at 307-266-0582 or There was pre-existing endangerment “I can’t stand a bully,” he quickly responded and had the fire under at [email protected]. Visit http://trib.com/ tension between Mecklen- ■■Date of incident: Sept. 27 said, and called the flag han- control by 3 a.m. news/opinion/blogs/wolfjammies to read his burg’s friend and the friend’s ■■Status: Given suspended dling the “icing on the cake.” The refinery sits about seven miles east blog. Follow him on Twitter @joshwolfson. brother, who was renting the sentence for all but 14 days in jail. Patchen sentenced apartment, the friend later Mecklenburg to six months relayed to police. As Meck- in jail for the battery charge, lenburg and his friend’s jumped the man from be- with all but 14 days suspend- jenkins 5 Questions with Mark Jenkins brother helped move, the hind, driving him to the ed, and one year in jail for friend’s brother would take ground. He allegedly choked the reckless endangerment Continued from page A3 Q: What are you working on as writer-in-residence at UW the belongings and throw the victim and drew a knife charge, all suspended. these days? them out the door, rather out of a sheath he was wear- Patchen told the defen- downtown Laramie, met A: I guest lecture. I mentor graduate students and teach in than properly place them ing on his hip. dant that he could under- Jenkins shortly after he the graduate level writing classes. I also teach in Global and outside. Mecklenburg eventually stand his frustration, but moved to Wyoming in Area Studies. I direct the World to Wyoming program. At one point, the friend’s calmed down, got up and ran there were better ways of 2006. brother ripped a “Support outside to dispose of the knife dealing with it. “He came in and said, Q: What keeps you going, mentally and physically? the Troops” flag off the wall in the dumpster. He later told ‘Hey, I’m looking to ride A: Well, by god, it’s fun. This is who I am. Send me to and threw it to Mecklenburg, officers that he couldn’t be- ■■Reach crime reporter Megan with someone. And I hear somewhere, I’ll hit the ground running, and I’ll try to do prompting an argument lieve that the alleged victim Cassidy at 307-266-0534 or you can ride hard,’” Charles everything I possibly can to understand what is going on about respectful handling. was showing disrespect for [email protected]. Follow said. “That’s Mark.” there. Writing is the way that I not only communicate, but it’s Mecklenburg soon the troops and that he “just her on Twitter @meganrcassidy. Charles and Jenkins the way I understand the world. mostly climb together now in the rock formations at Q: What are you teaching your kids? (Jenkins has two Vedauvoo near Laramie, daughters, ages 19 and 21.) Charles said, when the two A: Outside of all the standard things — like, you want them can find the time. to love and that sort of thing — I would say the things that “It doesn’t matter how stand out to me are curiosity about the world around you and tough something is, or tolerance. dirty, or how cold you are,” Charles said. “He’s willing Q: What is your favorite hike in Wyoming? to climb no matter what.” A: It would be hard to choose one, but it would be in the Wind River Mountains for sure. ‘Everesting’ Q: What do you crave at the end of an expedition? When Jenkins passed A: My wife and kids. the first body on his way up the peak, a combination of shock and sorrow coursed forced him to turn back. a writer, as an adventurer? through him. Jenkins likes the ten- Jenkins was quick to say Shock, he said, be- sion of knowing a mistake no. cause you hope that body on the job could mean his The feat means less to- won’t soon be you. Sorrow, life. You sprain your ankle day than it did half a cen- because he too has lost in a basketball game in the tury ago, he said, when friends to the mountains. city, he said, and you’re only six people reached the But Jenkins and a trek- rushed off to a physical top. Last year, Jenkins was king guide, commonly trainer or a nearby hospi- one of more than 500 peo- called a sherpa, made it tal. ple who successfully sum- to the top of Earth’s high- “You sprain your ankle mitted. Such a staggering est mountain after 2 1/2 on Everest, you might not success rate — and the in- months on the job. See- live through it,” Jenkins creasing trash and debris ing those who had gone said. left along the way, Jenkins Dan Cepeda | Star-Tribune file before him and not made said — are largely thanks to University of Wyoming football player Cortland Fort celebrates a touchdown with teammate it did not deter Jenkins Working in Wyoming a growing and reportedly Devyn Harris in Laramie on Sept. 21. Stitching in contrasting color can be seen on the shoulder from the summit, a tower- unregulated Nepalese out- of Fort’s uniform. ing 29,000 feet above sea Living in Laramie with fitting industry. level and nestled squarely his wife and two daughters, And when adventur- until the early 1960s, she Wyoming).” The road had on the border of Nepal and Jenkins has not missed out ous friends ask whether uniforms added. previously started a quarter- . on the mountaineering in they should shell out the Access to 33-Mile Road mile east of the airport. Instead, he said, the ex- his own backyard. Though thousands of dollars Jen- Continued from page A3 from Highway 20/26 was perience focused his mind. he recently accepted a kins said it takes to summit moved three miles west ■■Answer Girl tackles questions “You want to be fully story assignment about Everest, Jenkins has an- easier transportation for the in 1942 when the Army about Casper, the universe and aware of what you’re do- landmines for the Inter- other suggestion. thousands of tons of wool air base — now Casper/ everything else. Submit your ing,” Jenkins said. “Focus. national Committee of the “Grab your buddies and that accumulated there in the Natrona County Interna- questions by email to Carol Seavey So you that you don’t be- Red Cross and will be de- go to the Wind Rivers,” he spring during shearing time,” tional Airport — was built, at [email protected], call her come another statistic.” parting for Mozambique says. “Plan your own trip.” Johnston wrote. “In a peak according to “The 33-Mile at 307-266-0544 or write to Answer He had tried once be- in a few weeks, Jenkins year, they would shear over Road (of Natrona County, Girl, P.O. Box 80, Casper, WY 82602. fore to summit Everest, as said he turned down story ■■Reach county reporter Leah 120,000 sheep at ‘33-Mile.’” a graduate student study- assignments that would Todd at 307-266-0592 or leah. The railroad closed e ing Geology at UW in have taken him away from [email protected]. Follow her in 1936, but the 33-Mile v Sa

1986. His idea of a master’s Wyoming this summer. on Twitter @leahktodd. Shearing Pens were used & nd

thesis was climbing Mount Instead, he set three new Fi

Needed. 3 Everest and taking snow routes on three different 01 2 © samples to study acid rain peaks in Wyoming’s Wind a, and global warming at high River Range. i ed

PATIO DOOR M altitudes. He did not make Was climbing Everest l u it back then; foul weather the summit of his career as rf nd e Wa

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