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

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

We used the packers for just one day... One dude, on a horse and one Mule, limit 175 lbs.

We hiked with small packs.

He took it as far as he could...in what they call a "day". He turned around around 3 pm, at Grizzly Lake. It was about 1/2 mile from the pass that leads down into the GOD.

The breakfast was in the bunkhouse at the KC coral.

I have friends who used packers to go to Bubbs creek for a 2 week stay... Big Wall gear, Ice chests full of beer, big tents, the delux hang.

And I have a friend who went down and fetched a mule and packer to come and haul his partner out who had a broken ankle.

They can be very usefull

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

^^^very interesting. Can you ride those mules if you get too tired? Is it allowed?

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Joan Lee wrote:^^^very interesting. Can you ride those mules if you get too tired? Is it allowed?
If you contacted the outfitters, they could answer these questions for you. Or, you could get it second-hand from MP.
Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140
FrankPS wrote: If you contacted the outfitters, they could answer these questions for you. Or, you could get it second-hand from MP.
Ye Frank, go back to your waxing salon and let people talk.
Actually a good idea to use a mule to bring you out with a non life threatening injury. Much cheaper than the rescue team shpeal I bet! And much cooler!
And Frank, I'm sorry your life is boring and you have nothing to share about mules except for ass hair....so go back to your salon and let that Asian lady have her way with you.
FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Joan Lee wrote: Ye Frank, go back to your waxing salon and people talk.
As in many of your posts, you're too lazy to do your own research.

"Hey, everybody, tell me how horse packers work. I don't want to pick up the phone and call them or look at their website."
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Looks scary to sit on one of those Mules, I had a much better time walking with a day pack.

Joan Lee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 140
Guy Keesee wrote:Looks scary to sit on one of those Mules, I had a much better time walking with a day pack.
Someone did a sweep so I can post again. .. so anyway, doesn't it sound ironic: Guy is afraid of the mules yet is stone cool on 25 ft runouts , no sweat!
All of the companies sound great and that is definitely something we will try. For those who actually used them: what would be a recommendation for the first outing? 2 nights or an overnight trip.
And thank you for the stories.
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

""Guy is afraid of the mules yet is stone cool on 25 ft runouts , no sweat!""

True....that

Horses and Mules are some of the dumbest creatures to ever walk the earth. After watching our guide have problems with a stubborn mule who didn’t want to step over a large rock, who then freaked out, kicking both back legs right at the Packer, spin around, then fall down a steep slope, rolling over on to the load (shaking up the beer) finally coming to a stop….. then acting like nothing happened at all!!!

I will leave the packing work to the pros.

Joan... besure to enter a trip report

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

For shizzle!

Viren Perumal · · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 300

I guided a climbing trip this summer into the ritter range for 5 days and my client and his wife opted to use the mule packer support to get in and out of Ediza lake. I hiked out the last morning at the end of our climbing trip and while they rode out with their gear, the Mule got spooked on the PCT/JMT and my client got thrown off.....SAR evac on a wheeled litter and 3 nights in the Mammoth Hospital.

punctured lung and shattered scapula and clavicle. My lesson....avoid the mules and we will all have to step in less poop on the trail.

Viren Perumal · · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 300

Oh yeah - Human porters don't poop on the trail as much and it keeps folks in our poverty stricken east side employed :) contact a local guide service to set you up with a young man/ woman who will be permitted to operate on federal land legally and that way if they get hurt they will be covered by workman's comp (I have heard of JMT packers shooting their horses that slip and fall on snowy passes....so my guess is that the horses are not covered under workman's comp ???

Richard M. Wright · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 9,090

Llamas also pack well, although you would probably have to walk or use a horse.

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

That sucks for the guy that got thrown off the mule :(
I understand there is a lot of poverty and homelessness among climbers. Although weed booz and drugs and douchy behavior is why we can't have nice things. As a community we need to represent and not be like some thugs. If the dude or a chick smell like booz and weed and BO I pick a mule. As for animals euthanized after being severely injured on the trail it is what it is. No they do not have health insurances or workman's comps. Seems like a first world problems to me.

Climbs Things · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 20

"I understand there is a lot of poverty and homelessness among climbers. Although weed booz and drugs and douchy behavior is why we can't have nice things. As a community we need to represent and not be like some thugs. If the dude or a chick smell like booz and weed and BO I pick a mule."

I'm not understanding your logic, but don't bother elaborating. I will just assume your a weak climber with poor values... Now, I must get back to smoking pot and making sure you decent folk can't have nice things. Thug Life!

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

Keep on going. Yes indeed I am a weak climber who likes to spend her money that she earned at a job however the heck she pleases. And I will see you as my patient with lung issues 10 years from now. So thank you for job security.

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

A little intermission:

Worms

Bill Lawry · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 1,812

Let's get back to the waxing ...

"The wax needs something to hold on to, or else the waxing process will be very painful and useless."

I'm guessing if the hair is long enough that this reduces to just being very painful?

We used pack horses to the Cirque of the Towers in July. I found I learned much more by talking to the packers than sifting/pinging the web. That said, I did appreciate the recommendations of which service from folks on MP. Maybe that is why I had a good experience.

Howard Snell · · Belen, New Mexico · Joined May 2010 · Points: 80
Bill Lawry wrote:Let's get back to the waxing ..."
Go for it Bill!

Howard
Bill Lawry · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 1,812
Howard Snell wrote: Go for it Bill! Howard
I'm with Guy on this one. I don't care how well behaved that mule appears. Looks scary to sit on one of them let alone give one a Brazilian wax job. ;-)
Avalon'cha · · your girlfriend's bedroom · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 35

I think they make excellent haul slaves on a 3 person aid team. But use the donkey, because horses cant work ascenders for shit.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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