It was a hot mid-summer day and we hadn't left the trailhead until after lunch. Heat is the worst enemy of llamas, particularly if they aren't in shape and have too much wool. Although many of our packers have short or medium wool and never need to be sheared, a couple of them were carrying too much wool. This was their first trip of the year. For these reasons, some of our males were having some trouble as this was their first time out. However, we were pleased with how well our two new companions were doing - a couple of large two-year old studs. This was their first time to pack and only had the pad, saddle and panniers on one time for a few minutes a couple of days before we left the farm. We were also elated with our our two young grandchildren were taking to llama packing. The six-year old boy had walked the entire five miles up to the lake and the four-year old rode in style, astride the packs on our white packing stud.
We arrived at our campsite near a clear blue water lake amidst snow capped peaks. I didn't want to expend the effort of lifting the panniers off the aluminum saddles as this was also my first trip of the year, and I just wanted to complete the task, sit among the wild flowers and eat. So we quickly squeezed the quick release straps on the Snake River Llama panniers and watched the heavy packs drop to the grass-covered meadow. This was the job for us boys, me and my six- year old grandson. The girls on the trip, grandmother Cherrie, our daughter Tammy and our busy-bee four-year old granddaughter were opening the bag to look for something to eat.
My little bright companion watched as I unhooked the breast strap from one side of the llama and pulled free the two belly straps from the saddle and lifted it and the pad from a big gelding's back. As I finished the next llama, I happen to look to the side and to my surprise, this little boy was practically under one of the giant-sized two-year old studs that were on their first packing trip, finishing unfastening the last of the straps on his saddle. As the saddle dropped to the ground, it pulled the pad down the llama's side. I stopped to watch him proceed to the next first time packing two-year old to crawl almost underneath the animal to repeat the process. To my amazement, neither llama acted as this was anything unusual to have a six-year old let the saddle and pad drop on the ground beneath them with straps and pad sliding down their legs. They never moved.
Now their are few things in life that I like more than my grandchildren, and I would never purposely put them in harm's way. Therefore, I can't think of another packing animal that could be trusted so closely to these kids. Now, not every llama can be trusted with small children, it depends upon the handling and training they receive. But I know a number of people that pack with children and llamas, and for them, llamas are very safe around kids.
A number of years ago, some friends set their little crawler down among some of our females on some hay where several females were feeding. These giant girls were as careful to avoid stepping on this child as if she were one of their own babies.
Our grandkids occasionally play in the corrals/pastures were our llamas are located. We don't have to worry about them. A few years ago, we were visiting with some friends near Shelley, Idaho. His toddler grandchild was enjoying leading around his big black male, Black Jack. I asked him if he would allow her to lead around one of his horses. He said h--- no, she would get killed.
So with some modest instructions and guidance, packing with children and llamas can be a wonderful, safe experience. A back country overnight or for several night packing trip with children can be a ball. The kids enjoy sleeping in a bag in a tent and cooking over a small campfire. To them as well as the adults, fish caught by the kids are absolutely the best tasking when cooked in a campfire in with picturesque views in every direction. You can even bring a portable shower so they can be as good as new in doing things that kids do best; getting dirty.
For my grandkids, a packing trip into the mountains is the highlight
of their summer visit. When you leave the valley on a hot day and end the
day camping by a beautiful lake with snow drifts, it is the ultimate in
children activities.
