Celebrating 50 years of Wilderness

Tom Jenko isn’t your typical wilderness lover. He’s a medical doctor with a 32-year practice in Bigfork, but he’s taken every opportunity over those years to get himself and his family into Montana’s wilderness.

Jenko was born in Butte and raised in Helena by parents — and especially his mother — who loved to climb mountains. He started climbing mountains in earnest at 12. By the time he graduated from college, he’d climbed every significant peak in southwest Montana. Not a bad start at an outdoor life.

“You’re a teenager, the land is wild — I liked challenges and problem solving,” he said. “I was goal oriented. I was naturally drawn to biology. And we didn’t have the Internet and social media. So you got out and did stuff.”

Today as a medical doctor, Jenko relies on wilderness as part of his whole-life approach to his profession.

“We have a spiritual, aesthetic and physical side that we need to nurture,” he said. “Wilderness has to do with all the textures, colors, unpredictability and beauty in the wild. Our brains senses beauty in a different way than it senses the newspaper. It’s a balance.”

Jenko regards his time in wilderness as part of a well-rounded life.

“My time in wilderness is absolutely essential because it helps me be a better doctor,” he explained. “I can go into the mountains and come back refreshed, peaceful, sustained and rejuvenated. So when I go to see my patients on Monday morning, I’m in much better shape emotionally. Plus, it’s good exercise and wilderness is fun.”

Jenko’s parents instilled in him a love of the mountains. He’d like to see more people introduce their children to the wilds.

“Your kids will do better in school, they’ll get in less trouble,” he said. “They’ll learn a respect and understanding of nature. Wilderness is a whole other side of us. It will bring you happiness and balance. And you have to show your kids that. Particularly here in the Flathead. Why not?"