Plein Air: Fort Missoula, Montana, Bitterroot River

By: Kristina Lyn Heitkamp

Dec 10, 2016

With apprehension and excitement, I stepped into my first winter plein air outing. I’ve plein aired in the depressing heat of summer or the high winds and rains of a Montana spring afternoon, but never have I strapped on the snow boots to plein air.

Three pairs of pants.

One long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt and a down vest shrouded in a men’s large down jacket.

One pair of socks, boots, and gloves.

Accessorized with a hat, knit scarf and purple sunglasses.

The afternoon was a balmy 25 degrees F (-3.8C), but the sun was shining. We ventured to where Fort Missoula meets the Bitterroot River. The frozen patches of water shifted and squeaked, making the coolest of sounds.