[pct-l] Llamas

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I saw llamas on the JMT and up in Washington. They're so cute. Maybe  
they were alpacas, but I don't know the difference.

There's a guy in our area who has adopted a section of a local trail.  
He plans working trips into the area each spring. He uses goats  
instead of llamas. The goats can carry something like 66 pounds each.  
They bring in tools and tri-tip and fixin's for dinner. Then we  
volunteers work on the trail and get a tri-tip dinner.

I asked him why goats and not llamas. He said the goats are better  
behaved. They won't run off. They carry a lot of weight and are easy  
to feed (they basically eat everything.) They do not like to get  
their feet wet and act like little princesses at water crossings, so  
I'll be the llamas do the same.

Anyway, goats are another option.

On Feb 6, 2011, at 9:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Hi Marion,
>
> I'm interested because what I know is that they are more adapted to  
> steep
> terrain than horses and mules. Ancient Inka highways were used by  
> llamas and
> in parts were too steep for Conquistador horses to traverse. But  
> I've also
> heard llamas are more hesitant across streams. Overall, it seems to me
> llamas would be much better suited to the High Sierra than mules,  
> given that
> they're bred for the high Andes. I originally asked because I was  
> surprised
> llamas are not often seen on the PCT and thought maybe they were not
> allowed. Given your experience in the matter, I look forward to your
> response. Thanks.
>
> Bruce