Rank in The Green River Boys is based on mountain man tradition and the different phases a mountaineer would go through, as he became more and more adept at living off the land.
Green Horn
The Green Horn was the new traveler to the Rocky Mountain fur trade. The name Green Horn was based on the horns of elk “being green” in the early spring. Coming from “the settlements” the Green Horn came west in search of adventure and fortune, but often times had none of the skills required for, as his life as a farmer or apprentice tradesmen was pretty different from the mountains. A Green Horn was also referred to as a Tenderfoot, for his inability to walk in the woods in the Indian moccasins.
To survive his new life, he would need to know how to make fire and build a suitable shelter.
Green Horn skills include Firestarting and Shelter Building
Camp Tender
As a Green Horn learned more and more about life in the Rocky Mountain fur trade, he took on many of the responsibilities around camp – being more adept he was trusted to be able to complete these tasks well. For example, now an expert in Firestarting, the Camp Tender could be trusted to collect the appropriate firework, depending on whether the fire was going to be used for cooking, warmth, light, or a combination of these.
Camp Tender skills include Knife and Tomahawk
Company Trapper
The Company Trapper was experienced enough to work directly for the Company as a professional trapper, so he had good woodsman skills, but not quite enough to function on his own, outside of the company organization and resupply. The Company Trapper could be counted on to take on specific roles for his trapping company like Hunter, Camp Cook, and would be able to act as an able defender for his party in the woods.
Company Trapper skills include Cooking over Fire and Rife
Clerk
As the level of the company trapper increased, more responsibilities were hoisted upon him. As a Clerk not only was the mountaineer able to function as a viable member of the party, but he was increasingly leaned on to take a stronger leadership role, including trapping party documentation and party organization.
Clerk skills include First Aid and Wilderness Survival
Hiveranno
As the name suggested, the Hiveranno was skilled enough to live and thrive in the wilderness on his own hook, often living “aux aliments du pays” or off the “nourishment of the land,” meaning he was able to find his own food and sustenance, even able to live through the harsh winters of the Rocky Mountains.
A Hiveranno should have the ability to assist in and help with leading his party.
Hiveranno skills include Archery/Atlatl and Building Caches
Freetrapper
Once a mountaineer was fully versed in the ways of the woods, he was able to wear the title of Freetrapper. Being a freetrapper meant that he was able to survive in the wilderness, in all conditions, on his own, completely without outside help or support.
A Freetrapper has the skills to not only lead his party, but to break away and create a new party.
Freetrapper skills include Hunting/Trapping and Stalking/Tracking
