Question: There are tons of different pack types and styles. Is there really a difference and what criteria are there for choosing?

The one pack not to choose is one made by yourself. The major pack manufacturers have spent much time perfecting their products and you should not attempt a homemade version. Your llama will appreciate a correct fitting saddle not a homemade one that irritates and does not stay put. There are just a few manufacturers of packs all of which should work for you. The problem is that it is difficult to try each type of pack on our own animals. These systems are relatively expensive so switching brands is usually not an option. If you talk with pack owners, most are satisfied with the brand they use if it has come from one of the current major producers. Therefore searching out these few manufacturers and finding out what they have available is the first chore. Knowledge is always helpful and there is a booklet to help educate the novice about packs. The title is "Evaluating a Llama Pack for Comfort and Function" by Gwen Ingram. This booklet is available from Lost Creek Llamaprints, 81894 Lost Creek Rd., Dexter, OR 97431. Cost is $5.95 +$2.00 s/h. This is extremely well done, bargain priced, and the only comprehensive information on packs. After you have digested the info in the booklet and considered your needs it's time to find brochures from the manufacturers. They are hard to find unless you know where to look. The easy way is to find a publication where almost all advertise, or vendors that carry them have ads. "The Backcountry Llama" is a quarterly publication devoted to llama packing where you can find most of the pack makers. Subscription for this magazine is $20/yr. and back issues are available. The address to subscribe is: BCL, 2857 Rose Valley Loop, Kelso, WA 98626.

Each manufacturer will have a number of systems available. If you plan only day hikes or short trips perhaps you will not need the top of the line equipment. All of the top llama packs should last many years without problems even with heavy use. Those packs used for longer trips will fall into a cost range of $350-500. Although the prices may seem high they are much less than premium horse packs. I used to think the manufacturers were overcharging until I made a set of panniers myself. Just the material and hardware for my panniers was $80 not counting the labor of putting them together. My homemade panniers are functional but not near the quality of commercial products. If you are looking for training packs a good substitute is a bicycle pack modified with a chest strap and one cinch. I have found this to work well for starting out a youngster.

Question: Most folks are fair weather packers even if they are serious trekkers. What sort of pre-season training and conditioning do you consider a must?

If you talk with any experienced llama packer, they will consider some sort of pre-season training and conditioning the most important thing they can do to prepare for a enjoyable trip. Many of the problems on the trail stem from lack of adequate conditioning of the animals. Lack of a conditioning program is dangerous and is a disservice toward our silent brothers. Needless to say you need to know a weight on your packer to understand his needs during any conditioning. If he is overweight perhaps a diet is necessary in addition to exercise. My boys usually stay pretty trim during the winter so their diet remains the same during conditioning with maybe an extra treat occasionally. I usually begin at least one month before their first trips with a program of hiking every other day for at least three miles. The first few trips will be with less than usual loads but then increasing to 70-80 lb. depending on the individual animal. Conditioning hikes need to include up and down (elevation gain and loss). I try to avoid hard paved surfaces and use mostly gravel roads. Actual trails would be ideal. These practice hikes give me a chance to introduce young animals into the pack string. My lead packer will usually provide any discipline needed for these younger animals so they learn quickly. Usually I like to go in the morning to avoid higher temps especially at the beginning of the program. Of course all the packers are completely sheared by early summer. Barrel cuts look good in a show but packers should get rid of any extra wool that can snag straps and brush.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of some sort of pre-hike conditioning even if you plan only a day trip. Taking a obese llama even for a short hike is asking for trouble. The only trail death I have seen was when an overweight, overloaded llama was used without any conditioning. This occurred after only an easy four-mile hike.

Question: Do you have a "must have" list for packing?

I am assuming this is referring to the llama and not their human companions. There are a small number of things that may be extra but also critical in case of problems. The first are few pieces of extra equipment including an extra halter, buckles for the pack, bungee cord and plenty of duct tape. A scale, sewing kit, multi-tool and brush could be included under this category also. Some packers carry a booty in case of a cut foot pad. Other must have items relate to medicines. I always carry banamine with a syringe and needles to give it. This medicine can only be obtained from a vet. It is used for pain. Activated charcoal in case of poisoning should also be carried along with a long tube and large syringe to administer it. You can get the charcoal at the pharmacy without prescription. Other first aid products can be the same as those for humans.

Question: What about food and water needs for the animals when on the trail?

While hiking you cannot assume that your packer will get anywhere near normal nutrition from grazing. They will be working much of the day and there may not be much available grass in camp. In fact grazing is prohibited in National Parks. Therefore some type of feed should be carried. I usually carry about 1.5 lbs of supplemental feed for each llama per day. This feed can be any of the locally available concentrated supplements with lots of protein and calories. The 1.5 lb./day may not even be enough on longer trips especially in winter like conditions. Many of my conditioned packers will lose a great deal of weight on long trips.

Free access to water is essential particularly with high environmental temperature. If there are not many water crossings it is important to allow each llama the opportunity to drink. Most of the time they don't drink for several days but must be afforded the opportunity. They should not be allowed to stand in the stream but to drink from the shore. If they stand in any stream for a short time they will defecate. In camp I keep water available in a two gallon collapsible bucket. This bucket can also be used to filter your camp water from. Using the bucket to filter from rather than directly out of a stream will keep debris out of your equipment.

Just a reminder about stream crossings: Llamas are excellent at making difficult stream crossings when not pressured or pulled across. They should be allowed to find their own way across. If pressured or forced they may hurry with resulting injuries. Novice packers tend to jump small streams so the handler must be careful not to have a llama land on him. Usually after a few stream crossings the llama will learn to just walk across and not to jump.

Question: Can anyone just grab a llama and wander into the backcountry or are there permits required?

The answer to this one is maybe, yes and no. Permit requirements depend very much on the local requirements that are set by each wilderness, park etc. National Parks have the most regulations and even prohibitions for stock. Those Parks that do allow stock will have designated camps that exclude grazing. These campsites are usually designed and located for the convenience of horses. Since horses can travel longer distances these camps can make it difficult to conform to the requirements. Some of the National Parks will even have per night charges for all campers, a fee for each party plus park entry fees. Wilderness areas usually will have less regulation and permit grazing. Each area is unique so you have to check with the local authority to be sure of the rules. Your vehicle will also require a parking pass no matter what trailhead you are using. These can be purchased on a per day or season basis from ranger stations or local vendors.

This concludes the series on packing. I hope these questions and answers have helped you and your llamas gain some knowledge and better enjoy llama-packing.

Bob Schimpf