Hiking up to the Pine Lakes in the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon was strenuous, but we did it with the comfort and luxury of having a string of llamas carry most of the load. My husband Rich and I carried nothing but our daypacks as we trekked with Raz Rasmussen of Wallowa Llamas. The llamas carried the rest - tents, sleeping bags, stove, food, clothes, and gear. It made the 3000 foot climb up the trail much easier. We also were able to enjoy fresh food packed into coolers carried by Moose, the brawniest llama, rather than rehydrated "delights."
Llamas Perfect for Packing
Llamas have been domesticated in South America for over 10,000 years. They are quiet and dependable beasts of burden. The string of llamas hum to each other to communicate. Trail llamas generally do not spit at humans, although a male may spit at another male llama in a quarrel. Males are used for trail packing, as the females are more valuable for breeding and are generally kept back at the pasture, pregnant or nursing.Llamas have soft feet that do not chew up the trail as horses can. They produce nearly-odorless piles of "jelly beans." Llamas chow down on the native grasses and especially enjoy wild onions. While hiking the llamas are given oats as a treat, but generally can sustain themselves with natural browsing along the way or in camp.
Walking With a Llama
When walking with a llama trekking outfitter, you can hike on ahead and enjoy the freedom of the trail, or you can take interest in the string of llamas and "lead" them. Llamas naturally follow where you go, so leading a string of llamas is often like holding an empty leash - except for Bo, who needs to stick his snout over your shoulder as you hike and breath his onion breath into your face. Each llama can carry a load of 60 - 80 pounds. They are not for riding!Transporting the llamas to the trailhead can be done with a pickup, or in the case of Wallowa Llamas a small school bus. Llamas will "cush" or kneel down comfortably to fit into smaller vehicles. In one of our expeditions we took the llamas on a jet boat down the Snake River in Hell's Canyon, a regular route for Wallowa Llamas.
Hiking with llamas is now easier to find in many places in the USA. Pack animals including llamas are excluded from some trails, such as the Appalachian Trail. Llamas will often frighten horses along the trail, who don't know what to make of the strange-looking beasts. Llama outfitters appreciate being alerted to approaching horses so they can move the llamas to the side of the trail and not startle the horses.
Choosing a Llama Trekking Outfitter
Hiking into the high country without the burden of a 50-pound backpack is a dream come true. Listed below are some of the llama outfitters on the web. When choosing an outfitter, look for one that has been in business for several years and has done the same routes many times. If you are not a veteran of the wilderness, you are relying on their expertise to give you a safe and enjoyable experience. Ask them for references of satisfied customers. Ask them what sort of gear you should bring - an experienced outfitter will provide you with a detailed list of what you should bring and what is provided.Rent a Llama
If you have experience with trekking with llamas, some llama ranches and outfitters have options of renting the llamas and being your own guide. Others provide drop camps - taking in the gear and food on the llamas, leaving and coming back for you in a few days. These options give you more freedom in the outdoors. Me, I love the luxury of having the guide do the cooking! Sitting at 7000 feet, drinking a margarita made with glacial snow, eating chips and salsa enhanced with local wild onions, gazing over a glacial lake - now that is living!Llama Packing Links
Listings of llama tour operators to great destinations worldwide.
Wallowa Llamas
Treks into the Wallowa Mountains of northeast Oregon and into Hell's Canyon.
