Barbara Eisenberg and Heinz Sippel
Barbara and Heinz have made their home at 5 Mile Bar along the Salmon River since 1984. Originally from Germany, they landed in the canyon while traveling through the country on horseback and decided to stay awhile. Their presence and care have been vital in preserving Buckskin Bill’s home, and they welcome several thousand visitors (mostly rafters and jetboaters) to the site every year. In 1990 they started the Buckskin Bill Museum and worked with local agencies to return some of Buckskin’s personal possessions to his home. Heinz and Barbara owned and operated Whitewater Expeditions (a jet boat fishing and charter service) together for almost 30 years. Heinz continues to share his encyclopedic knowledge of local history, ecology and culture as a licensed guide. Barbara is the friendly face behind most email communication and can often be found scooping ice cream in the store or tending her amazing garden.
Alice Forbes
Alice grew up visiting the Salmon River and made it her home in 2016. She is the store girl at Buckskin Bill’s and spends her summer days answering queries, making root beer floats and telling people why they ought not pee in the outhouse. She loves getting to know the canyon in all its seasons while hiking, running, and looking for treasures in the area around 5 Mile Bar. In the fall and spring she works for neighboring outfitters, and in the winter splits her time between the quiet of 5 Mile and the world at large.
Cathy Loupy
Cathy fell in love with the Salmon River upon her first
introduction at the Polly Bemis Ranch. That was June 1988. On
the ride upriver, she remembers being on the back of the boat
thinking “I’m gonna do whatever it takes to stay.” As a new-hire
greenhorn, she began learning the history of Polly Bemis in
order to conduct tours for summer visitors. Learning about the
rich history of the Bemis (& Shepp) Ranch made her thirsty for
more. Soon she found herself living and working at Buckskin
Bill’s 5 Mile Bar. Cathy is one of the founding members of the
Buckskin Bill Museum and is the original “store girl”. Her
passion for learning and teaching people about The Frank
Church-River of No Return Wilderness fits nicely into her current
job as USFS River Clerk.
Preserving the legacy of Idaho's beloved mountain man.
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Where We Are
5 Mile Bar
Frank Church Wilderness
Idaho
The World