Smokejumper: Volume 2: More Stories

by "swede" Troedsson

Overview

Trailblazer, Jumper, Rescuer

One Man's Wild West Legacy

Adventure, grit, and service define this collection of real-life stories from one of Montana's most seasoned outdoorsmen. From the forests of the Northern Rockies to the battlefield of Korea, Swede's tales span decades of daring and dedication.

• Harrowing smokejumper missions and fireline encounters
• Behind-the-scenes of Hank Williams Jr.'s dramatic backcountry rescue
• Life as a U.S. Marine, ski patroller, ambulance EMT, and timber forester
• Thrilling stories of aviation, search-and-rescue, hunting, and game warden work
• Insights into managing public lands, fire suppression, and outdoor education

With sharp wit and humble courage, Swede shares stories that celebrate the challenges—and rewards—of a life spent in service to the land and people of the West. A must-read for fans of outdoor adventure, forest firefighting, and Montana history.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184592763
Publisher:	Farcountry Press
Publication date:	07/07/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

“Swede” Troedsson was born and raised in the East. His early years in the Boy Scouts developed his love of the outdoors. Following high school, his first job with the USDA Forest Service began his love affair with Montana and the West.
Summer seasonal work with the Forest Service was interrupted by two years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. This service included a deployment to Korea.
Smokejumping while attending Montana State University (now called The University of Montana) introduced him to the diversity of the West and the excitement that comes with challenges presented in the outdoors.
After graduating from college with a degree in forestry, his employment as a forester eventually led him to Southwest Montana. The last thirty-one years of his career were spent on the Beaverhead National Forest. His main duties were preparing and administering timber sales. Other duties “as assigned” were coordinating motorized travel restrictions among nine public land and road management agencies, managing aviation resources, and being dispatched to wildland fire incidents from Florida to Alaska.
His volunteer work on the National Ski Patrol would lead him into volunteer emergency medical services (EMS), teaching emergency medical technicians, participating in volunteer ambulance work, and performing backcountry rescue. His certification as a private pilot, as well as his experience managing aviation resources in the Forest Service, enhanced his skills in EMS and backcountry rescue.
His love of hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, and volunteer work with game wardens led him to other adventures.
Besides volunteer work, he found time to help his wife raise three children, introduce them to outdoor recreational opportunities, and send them off to college. Following his retirement from the Forest Service, he was recruited by the University of Montana–Western to teach a course in Map, Compass, & GPS. It would be a satisfying seventeen-year experience.
He continues to reside in Dillon, Montana.