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The Winterkeeper: a lifetime spent protecting Yellowstone National Park

The Guardian

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Steven Fuller is a winter caretaker who has lived at Yellowstone national park for the past 50 years.
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As the cold weather approaches and the seasonal transformation begins, he hunkers down in his remote mountain cabin. But Fuller and Yellowstone face an uncertain future, with the climate crisis threatening to forever change one of North America’s last great wildernesses.

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#TheWinterkeeper #YellowstoneNationalPark #Environment #ClimateChange

20 Comments

@genekied 2 years ago

I worked alongside Steve in Yellowstone for 12 years and my life is much richer for it.

@PicesChic 2 years ago

Really didn’t want this one to end. I could have watched for hours.

@jrolibrarian 2 years ago

I worked in the park for a few years in the mid-nineties and he was already a legend back then. It's very cool to see the Guardian do this piece on him.

@CA-lf7jt 2 years ago

This should have been at least two hours long. Imagine what he’s seen, what he’s done. I’d love much more, much, more of this.

@e4t662 2 years ago

This man is not just the caretaker or the narrator, he's a writer. An exceptional one.

@TerlinguaTalkeetna 2 years ago

Lovely Steven, my name is Steven as well, I am not a national park employee, but I have spent 40 years on and off living and working in and around Big Bend National Park in Texas. I felt as if you were saying exactly my thoughts about the high desert I love 1500 miles away from Yellowstone. I'm 65 yrs young. Thanks to you and the Guardian for this.

@harley8680 2 years ago

When I was in 8th grade I read about this man and his family in National Geographic. I became obsessed with learning about Wyoming. Partly because a family friend had moved to Jackson Hole. I begged my parent's all winter could we go there one day. In June of 1978, they took me to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone (and many other trips along the way)...I want to thank Steven for the article written about him all those years ago!

@CaseyFinnerty 2 years ago (edited)

Extraordinarily well done film. Deserves to be at least an hour. All of his photos were superb, but his photos of his children were so beautiful they moved me to tears. "To have children is a marker for the acceleration of our lifetime." You can't take pictures like that without a profound love of your subject.

@christopherdesantis9876 2 years ago

I am a winter caretaker in Atlantic City Wy. My story is much like yours. If ever a time comes to pass on your knowledge and stay in your home feel free to reach out. I am in love with winter and the wilderness as you are. Thank you for sharing your story.

@LonelyBandido420 2 years ago

I had the pleasure of working the summer season at the Canyon Lodge dining hall with this wondrous man! He was always courteous and delight to be around!

@lynnpetal1097 9 months ago

This video should become a series.

@rayjones9418 2 years ago

I had the pleasure of staying in that little cabin for a few days quite a few winters ago. Mr. Fuller and I share a mutual friend, and was invited to come stay and ski a few days, and help remove snow. He is truly as humble and reflective as is shown. It was a pleasure to meet him, and enjoyed every minute of the stay.

The snow needs to be removed from all the buildings after every major snow storm, or the roofs could collapse from all the weight. It snows a LOT in Yellowstone.

@casitacindy461 2 years ago (edited)

we had the pleasure of working a season with steve in canyon in the maintenance department. he is exactly what you see here. an incredible man who has lived an incredible life.

@KamelaHurley 11 months ago

My heart ached watching this. For time that passes, family that grow old, and landscapes that change…thank you to the Winterkeeper for touching my heart and finding deep appreciation for what we have today. Sending prayers .

@gregparrott 2 years ago

What a beautiful story. I hope the park service will make the exception to allow him to stay as long as he wishes.
They could gradually phase in another individual to addresses the more physically demanding tasks, allow Mr. Fuller to take breaks and days off as he wishes, and for the newbie to spend time learning from the grand master.