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Using animals (horses/donkeys) to haul loads to climbs pioneer style in High Sierra/Yosemite/Tuolumne, and the vicinity

Original Post
Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140

Does anybody have experiences using any of services like that. My boyfriend's old boss used donkeys to get to some remote ice climbs in Wyoming. It sounds like a lot of fun!

Charles Jonas · · Alpine, WY · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 102

you can hire pack mules to go climbing in the winds. We had planned a long trip to the cirque of the towers and had discussed getting a mule to bring in some of the gear. Theres a place in pinedale you can charter them from. Unfortunately the trip got canceled so... I have nothing else to add.

EDIT: I just saw your question was specific to cali so disregard my post

Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140

We will do it when we are back in The Tetons area. Jackson rocks! Hope you guys get to do it some other time.

caribouman1052 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 5

Hey there, thought I'd add 2 cents: I've passed pack trains pretty far into the back country while hiking the Muir Trail, way up near the headwaters of the San Joaquin. They can get where you want to go.

I've worked with draft horses in the Maine woods, and learnt a bit about work horses and mules. Mules deal with heat better than horses, they're smarter, and have a (relatively) smaller hoof, so they are more sure-footed on steep trails. Food-wise, I don't know if they are easy keepers or not. They may be able to do some grazing below tree line, but you'll need to have them pack in their own food above tree line. Water is going to be a problem. I'd almost think of bringing in two mules, one for the climbing gear and one for food, and pick a place where there is a decent supply of snow so you all can get water.

Dealing with work horses/ mules is just like dealing with people - they have personalities, and egos & quirks. From what I saw in the woods, they can be a great team member or a negative pain. 99% of draft horses are level headed and willing to do steady work; regular horses are not. I assume draft mules are pretty much like draft horses, only smarter. One lesson I got was never to get in a physical argument with a draft horse...but Psych 101 comes in really handy. Stay out of the strike zone of their kick, and always have a hand on the critter when you circle behind it.

It might make sense to go with a teamster for your first trip, and learn about the critters. You may have to bring a teamster no matter what - horses may attract bears in lean years, and you may have to leave someone in camp to defend them. Should be one heck of an experience.

Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140

Wow that would be awesome! We are going to be looking into it (even just for an experience). I also heard some companies would only take up a week to a few days trips into the back country not just a few miles for a couple of nights. Coordinating work schedule and some logistics...but should really be worth it!

rex parker · · las vegas n.v · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 245

Please dont truly be considering this . I myself have done numerous porter jobs in the sierra . Their is plenty of strapping young men willing to hail whatever you may need , to the base of anything . Horses and mules have no place in our national parks . Place an add on mp or contact a climbing service for a porter . As climbers we have an ethical and enviromental responsibilty. " what if everybody did that".

Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140
rex parker wrote:Please dont truly be considering this . I myself have done numerous porter jobs in the sierra . Their is plenty of strapping young men willing to hail whatever you may need , to the base of anything . Horses and mules have no place in our national parks . Place an add on mp or contact a climbing service for a porter . As climbers we have an ethical and enviromental responsibilty. " what if everybody did that".
Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140
Joan Lee wrote:
Excuse me? There are horse trails in Yosemite. Besides a mule is more environmentally friendly than your strapping young men.
Richard M. Wright · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 9,090

For some of the more remote crags a horse or mule makes much better sense than an SUV.

john greer · · modesto · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 110

We used a pack service doing some backcountry routes a few years ago north of Yosemite. Had the pack team drop our kit 10 miles in because that was as far as they would go in a day. We then humped loads another 5 miles to the destination. It would have been easier to have partners that could carry a load intead of dealing with the pack team. however we did have the luxury of a boat and lots of liquor. Depends on the objective and partners. if you have lazy sportos for partners, better get the pack team. If you have a good group sherpa friends, that is the better option. Plus if you put all that hard work into the process it seems to add to the reward as well.

Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140

We both are pretty lazy and I would trust a mule more than some random dude with our gear.

Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140

I was under impression they would only go for longer trips. Nice to know they would go for under 10 miles.

Mr. Wonderful · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 10

Hired outfitters to pack gear into windrivers a couple times. For me it was money versus time and I easily have more money than time. Plus I'm getting too old and weak to haul 70 pounds very far.

Plan on a tip beyond the outfitter's fees, $30ish, for the dude that actually does the work.

Note, the outfitter typically has range and weight limits. Typically they would get most of our stuff most of the way there but we still ended up carrying everything a bit further.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Joan Lee wrote:I was under impression they would only go for longer trips. Nice to know they would go for under 10 miles.
If you actually contacted an outfitter/pack service, you would be able to find out. Or you can just get it second-hand through MP.
C Miller · · CA · Joined Jan 2002 · Points: 87,830
Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140
FrankPS wrote: If you actually contacted an outfitter/pack service, you would be able to find out. Or you can just get it second-hand through MP.
It's not second hand or hear say (which in some cases can be). I am looking for personal experiences with services like that and what people think about it, which is why exactly forums like this exist. I am intending to contact the services as well and have a discussion with them about what they are offering.
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

I have used the packers out of Kings Canyon....

It is well worth the $$$$$ to have the mules lug 100 lbs up 8,000 feet....

saves your legs, so you can climb harder then 5.7.

it also streamlines the whole wilderness permitt deal, the packers can issue one to you, and they let me camp on the property. So I never had to deal with the NPS.... well worth the $$$$$

The breakfast they served .... priceless.

john greer · · modesto · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 110

generally you will pay for the number of mules used times the number of days, plus a flat rate per day for the packer and his horse.
And like guy said, if you have them supply meals too it really simplifies things.
mules could take around 150 lbs. each.

this got my backcountry hair itching...

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
John Greer Jr. wrote: this got my backcountry hair itching...
Whoa, there. I think that's all we need to hear about your "backcountry hair."
Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140
FrankPS wrote: Whoa, there. I think that's all we need to hear about your "backcountry hair."
Yes please, request for stories about backcountry hair.
FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Joan Lee wrote: Yes please, request for stories about backcountry hair.
http://beauty.answers.com/waxing/what-is-brazilian-waxing
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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