Hiking with llamas
David Vorous
> This question comes with pure innocence and genuine interest. Years ago I
> had heard that llamas are relatively easy to train for packing, and a lot
> easier to transport and feed than horses.
Right on both counts.
> I don't much like what horses do
> to hiking trails anyhow. Do llamas damage a trail much with their feet?
According to a study I have somewhere it takes about 8 llamas to equal
the trail
damage done by one horse. Impact on the flora is much less and takes
over 10
llamas to equal one horse.
> Can anyone share with me their experience with llamas for hiking, especially
> in the eastern United States?
It will be more fun than you ever had. The llamas do more than just
carry stuff.
They add to the trip just by being there.
> After retirement, I have wanted to do some
> longer trails and want to know what the pros and cons are.
No cons, in my never humble opinion.
> I can't carry
> much weight in a backpack because my discs are wearing out, but can hike at
> a pretty good clip if I keep the weight off. A llama seems like an
> interesting solution. I would expect that I would keep the gear I brought
> to a minimum even with a llama. In general, do they make good companions
> for a solo hiker. Has anyone hiked the Appalachin Trail with a llama?
I have done quite a few solo hikes with my llama. Now I have two
packers and can
take 150 pounds of gear along. Some llamas may not do too good on solo
hikes. My
eldest is quite independent and doesn't mind going out alone.
> Are they easily spooked by dogs?
Both of mine love dogs. Horses are the problem, they usually spook
the first
time they see a llama. Equestrians around here know that they have to
share the
trail with me and that unless it is a child on the horse, I do not go
off trail
so they can pass. I have also made my llamas available, at no cost, to
any
equestrian group for the purposes of desensitizing their horses. I,
and my
llamas, have been obstacles in horse events and I usually have a llama
at the
local rodeos. We have to share the trails, I'll share but on an equal
basis.
Enough from my soap box. Get the llamas, you'll not regret it.
--
David J. Vorous Dyslexics of the world UNTIE!
da...@snakebite.com
http://users.aimnet.com/~dvorous/
PSsquare
had heard that llamas are relatively easy to train for packing, and a lot
to hiking trails anyhow. Do llamas damage a trail much with their feet?
longer trails and want to know what the pros and cons are. I can't carry
much weight in a backpack because my discs are wearing out, but can hike at
a pretty good clip if I keep the weight off. A llama seems like an
interesting solution. I would expect that I would keep the gear I brought
to a minimum even with a llama. In general, do they make good companions
they easily spooked by dogs?
Thanks for sharing any experiences.
Michael Shealy
PSsquare <psch...@stny.lrun.com> wrote in message
news:_9gz4.22254$W5.3...@typhoon.nyroc.rr.com...
> This question comes with pure innocence and genuine interest. Years ago I
> had heard that llamas are relatively easy to train for packing, and a lot
> easier to transport and feed than horses.
>
much as jump away from the first pack seen, and then had placed on their back
(slowly). Most will walk away, if you let them tho. Within two or three
applications, they will accept the pack readily (try this with a horse).
> I don't much like what horses do
> to hiking trails anyhow. Do llamas damage a trail much with their feet?
>
Hardly noticable when the trail is dry. Muddy trails will show everone's
prints, but llamas have soft feet (no hooves) with toenails, and don't
generally dig in at all. And, their feces come (out) in almost odor free,
jelly-bean sized pellets, like deer or elk.
> Can anyone share with me their experience with llamas for hiking, especially
> in the eastern United States? After retirement, I have wanted to do some
> longer trails and want to know what the pros and cons are.
>
I started smiling on the first hike, and haven't stopped. So many fun
experiences. Lots of pros, and the only con I can think of is a major
predator in camp. I worry about the llamas, have had a couple of experiences
with same, and take precautions to preclude problems there. Twice, my llamas
have been chased out of camp, pulling stakeouts, and breaking tie-downs. Once
by a bear, and once by ? Don't know about the Eastern US, as to pumas and
bears. Of course, any pack animal would be faced with the same problem that
llamas are, under these circumstances.
> I can't carry
> much weight in a backpack because my discs are wearing out, but can
> hike at a pretty good clip if I keep the weight off. A llama seems like an
> interesting solution.
>
You'll love it. They're, for the most part, willing trail companions. They
string-up nicely, too.
> I would expect that I would keep the gear I brought
> to a minimum even with a llama. In general, do they make good companions
> for a solo hiker.
>
You could easily take two, or even three, or four plus .... each carrying
65-100# (depending on the animal and your needs). At that, doing easily 10
miles a day (some younger folks will do 15-20). This makes for extended stays
without any undue discomfort.
> Has anyone hiked the Appalachin Trail with a llama?
>
I'm sure yes, but not me. [....CO trail, yup....]
> Are they easily spooked by dogs?
>
If they haven't been around dogs, it's a possibility. However, mine are
around my dogs (3) and they generally are curious about new dogs, not spooked
at all. After they get used to trail hiking, about the only thing that spooks
them is bears (haven't seen a puma on the trail). They are soooo aware that
they'll see (or sense) the bear long before they spook. You won't be able to
get too close to bears (or anything new) without them giving you *many* and
obvious signs of it's presense. They are extremely *aware* creatures.
> Thanks for sharing any experiences.
>
Let us know before you get your boys (you'll need two), and the advice will
come pouring out <g>.
>
>
--
Michael Shealy
Touch The Earth Llamas
Black Forest, Colorado
spamNOTtou...@bwn.net
Susan Gawarecki
Appalachian Trail (with the exception of a few stretches in the Great
Smoky Mountains) is off limits to any and all riding or pack animals,
including horses, llamas, and dogs (carrying packs). Nonetheless, there
are more public access trails of all other types than you'd be able to
hike in a lifetime, so don't let that stop you. Hiking (and living)
with llamas is the greatest!
Regards,
Susan
PSsquare wrote:
>
> This question comes with pure innocence and genuine interest. Years ago I
> had heard that llamas are relatively easy to train for packing, and a lot
> easier to transport and feed than horses. I don't much like what horses do
> to hiking trails anyhow. Do llamas damage a trail much with their feet?
> Can anyone share with me their experience with llamas for hiking, especially
> in the eastern United States? After retirement, I have wanted to do some
> longer trails and want to know what the pros and cons are. I can't carry
> much weight in a backpack because my discs are wearing out, but can hike at
> a pretty good clip if I keep the weight off. A llama seems like an
> interesting solution. I would expect that I would keep the gear I brought
> to a minimum even with a llama. In general, do they make good companions
> for a solo hiker. Has anyone hiked the Appalachin Trail with a llama? Are
> they easily spooked by dogs?
>
> Thanks for sharing any experiences.
--
==================================================
Susan L. Gawarecki
Lucky Lady Llamas
llam...@netscape.net
==================================================
David Vorous
> Mike's reply to this was right on, but I wanted to add a note. The
> Appalachian Trail (with the exception of a few stretches in the Great
> Smoky Mountains) is off limits to any and all riding or pack animals,
> including horses, llamas, and dogs (carrying packs).
That's awful! Oh well, that's for the East Coasters to work on. If you want a
long trail come over here to the West Coast. We have the Pacific Crest Trail, I
think it's about 3400 miles, from Mexico to Canada. It's open to all pack stock,
and if you want to read a fantastic book on the PCT get "Journey on the Crest."
It's only the best hiking book I've ever read.
David Drewry
days one layover day. They started out with 105 pounds and where down to 60
ea. by the end. They all did great.
David Drewry
Como Say Llamas
www.llamapacker.com
David Vorous <da...@snakebite.com> wrote in message
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