Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m 17 human companions to wildlife nearby that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. Llamas' lateral gait known as pacing as well as their blood's ability to bind with oxygen in a unique way makes these athletic Andean packers extremely agile and enduring on rocky slopes and in high altitudes. Today, on a warm July day, we trek down the trail to Cache Creek in the Northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. Gorgeous Lamar Valley stretches to the west of us. Open mead- ows, green slopes, and rocky ridges grace our views ahead. Herds of bison graze and grunt not far from our group. We walk the trail in a line, each of us leading a woolly companion. e llamas carry saddles and panniers filled with our creature comforts: kitchen equipment, food coolers, tents, sleeping bags, chairs, tables, and yes — two bottles of wine. Llamas with packs walk about as fast as an unburdened person and are able carry loads of about a quarter of their body weight, meaning 50 to 80 pounds. Our eyes take in the land- scapes around us, while our faithful pack animals bend their long necks to look over our shoulders (a charming sight). Before long, llamas and people have bonded and are getting along just fine. Suddenly, all llamas stop and stare in the same direction. We grab our binoculars, and sure enough: a grizzly bear is foraging unconcernedly along the far tree line. Domingo lets loose a shrill alarm call and instantly the other llamas join him. A predator or any animal that raises a llama's suspicion, no matter how far away, will cause it to sound a loud warning nobody is able to ignore. Despite Domingo's obvious worry, we smile and enjoy watching the bear at a safe distance. We continue our hike and before long arrive on the banks of Cache Creek. e llamas are quickly unloaded and unsaddled and turned out to graze, while we set up tables, chairs and tents. en we are ready for our deserved relaxation with cheese, crackers, and wine, followed by that yummy bison chili, simmering on the Coleman stove. After dinner, as the stars twinkle in the huge sky we enjoy our time by the campfire. e llamas have bedded down after their meal of good, tasty backcountry grass and forbs. eir long lead lines are attached to durable net bags filled with rocks. is allows them to graze at their leisure but not wander too far. is is a aLoof yeT cooperaTIve, THE llama iS THE HiKEr'S CHOiCE OF paCK aNimal THaT iS EaSy TO HaNDlE aND EaSy ON THE ENvirONmENT.

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