Llama hiking

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A Quechua child with a llama in Cuzco A Quechua girl and her Llama.jpg
A Quechua child with a llama in Cuzco

Llama hiking, also known as llama trekking or llama caravanning, is an activity where llamas accompany people on hiking and walking trips, including eco-tourism. Expeditions can last from as little as a few hours to several days. For longer trips the llamas often carry up to three days trekking supplies or cargo in purpose-built pack saddles so the people with them can carry as little as a day backpack. [1] Treks are also offered, accompanied by the closely related alpaca. [2]

Contents

Llamas have padded feet similar to those of a dog, which lets them easily traverse steep and rocky paths while being more environmentally friendly to the ground than horse hooves. [3] They also can use narrower paths reducing disturbances to vegetation. [1] Llamas have both a thick undercoat and a woolly topcoat which protects them from the cold. A three-compartment stomach helps them cope with poor quality food sources. [3] A llama can carry about 25% of its body weight with no problem. So an average animal of 300 pounds (136 kg) can carry around 75 pounds (34 kg) of equipment in its packs.[ citation needed ]

Llamas' excellent endurance combined with biddable and peaceful natures makes them suitable pack animals for hill walking, unlike more stubborn animals such as mules. [4] People that might not usually participate in endurance walking go llamas hiking, including couples looking for some romantic time together, or walking parties that include disabled children. [5]

History

Llamas have been used by people of the Andes mountains as pack animals for hundreds of years. [6] Recently, llama hiking has become popular in countries outside of South America. [1] Since the second half of the 20th century large numbers of llamas have been brought across to the US and Canada. In southern California a few avocado farmers have used llamas to carry large loads of the fruit down steeper hills. In the UK, llamas can act as companions for a relaxing stroll, like walking a dog. [7] Back in 1997, British newspaper The Independent described llama hiking as an exotic import from California, [4] but it has since become more commonplace. In Wales during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, llamas previously used for llama hiking have been used to help deliver food and cheer up lonely people unable to get out due to the lockdown. [8] [9]

Therapeutic walks

Walking with an alpaca at Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve, Scotland. Alpaca trekking (geograph 6126680).jpg
Walking with an alpaca at Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve, Scotland.

Alpacas and llamas are suitable for close contact with children due to their docile and friendly natures. Parents have reported children being willing to walk twice as far when accompanied by llamas. [10] Llama walks are a popular therapeutic activity for disabled children. Autistic children can respond especially well to llamas, sometimes the expressive eyes of the animal help them make their first sustained eye contact. According to author Kay Frydenborg, the good results llamas have with children may in part be due to how pleasant they are to touch. [11]

Related Research Articles

Backpacking may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llama</span> Species of wooly domesticated mammal

The llama is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the pre-Columbian era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trail riding</span> Traveling on trails and forest roads by horse, bicycle, motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle

Trail riding is riding outdoors on trails, bridle paths, and forest roads, but not on roads regularly used by motorised traffic. A trail ride can be of any length, including a long distance, multi-day trip. It originated with horse riding, and in North America, the equestrian form is usually called "trail riding," or, less often "hacking." In the UK and Europe, the practice is usually called horse or pony trekking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiking</span> Walking as a hobby, sport, or leisure activity

Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Religious pilgrimages have existed much longer but they involve walking long distances for a spiritual purpose associated with specific religions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpack</span> Bag carried on ones back

A backpack—also called knapsack, rucksack, pack, booksack, bookbag, or backsack—is, in its simplest frameless form, a fabric sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but it can have an external frame, internal frame, and there are bodypacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camelidae</span> Family of mammals belonging to even-toed ungulates

Camelids are members of the biological family Camelidae, the only currently living family in the suborder Tylopoda. The seven extant members of this group are: dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, wild Bactrian camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. Camelids are even-toed ungulates classified in the order Artiodactyla, along with species including whales, pigs, deer, cattle, and antelopes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bactrian camel</span> Central Asian mammal, beast of burden

The Bactrian camel, also known as the Mongolian camel, domestic Bactrian camel or two-humped camel, is a large even-toed ungulate native to the steppes of Central Asia. It has two humps on its back, in contrast to the single-humped dromedary. Its population of 2 million exists mainly in the domesticated form. Their name comes from the ancient historical region of Bactria.

<i>Lama</i> (genus) Genus of mammals

Lama is a genus containing four South American camelids: the wild guanaco and vicuña and the domesticated llama and alpaca. Before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, llamas and alpacas were the only domesticated ungulates of the continent. They were kept not only for their value as beasts of burden, but also for their flesh, hides, and wool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpacking (hiking)</span> Outdoor recreation of carrying gear on ones back, while hiking for more than a day

Backpacking is the outdoor recreation of carrying gear on one's back while hiking for more than a day. It is often an extended journey and may involve camping outdoors. In North America, tenting is common, where simple shelters and mountain huts, widely found in Europe, are rare. In New Zealand, hiking is called tramping, and tents are used alongside a nationwide network of huts. Hill walking is equivalent in Britain, though backpackers make use of a variety of accommodation, in addition to camping. Backpackers use simple huts in South Africa. Trekking and bushwalking are other words used to describe such multi-day trips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pack animal</span> Individual or type of working animal used by humans

A pack animal, also known as a sumpter animal or beast of burden, is an individual or type of working animal used by humans as means of transporting materials by attaching them so their weight bears on the animal's back, in contrast to draft animals which pull loads but do not carry them.

A cama is a hybrid between a male dromedary camel and a female llama, and has been produced via artificial insemination at the Camel Reproduction Centre in Dubai. The first cama was born on January 14, 1998. The aim was to create an animal capable of higher wool production than the llama, with the size and strength of a camel and a cooperative temperament.

Trekking poles are a common hiking accessory that function to assist walkers with their rhythm, to provide stability, and reduce strain on joints on rough terrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Working animal</span> Domesticated animals for assisting people

A working animal is an animal, usually domesticated, that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks instead of being slaughtered to harvest animal products. Some are used for their physical strength or for transportation, while others are service animals trained to execute certain specialized tasks. They may also be used for milking or herding. Some, at the end of their working lives, may also be used for meat or leather.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazards of outdoor recreation</span>

Outdoor recreation, such as hiking, camping, canoeing, cycling, or skiing, entails risks, even if participants do not recklessly place themselves in harm's way. In some circumstances, such as being in remote locations or in extreme weather conditions, even a minor accident may create a dangerous situation that requires survival skills. However, with correct precautions, even fairly adventurous outdoor recreation can be enjoyable and safe.

Hiking equipment is the equipment taken on outdoor walking trips. Hiking is usually divided into day-hikes and multiple-day hikes, called backpacking, trekking, and walking tours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpaca</span> Domesticated species of South American camelid

The alpaca is a species of South American camelid mammal. It is similar to, and often confused with, the llama. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than llamas. The two animals are closely related and can successfully crossbreed. Both species are believed to have been domesticated from their wild relatives, the vicuña and guanaco. There are two breeds of alpaca: the Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outdoor recreation</span> Recreation engaged in out of doors

Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation done outside, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are being carried out in. These activities can include fishing, hunting, backpacking, walking and horseback riding — and can be completed individually or collectively. Outdoor recreation is a broad concept that encompasses a varying range of activities and landscapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid camel</span> Hybrid between a Bactrian camel and dromedary

A hybrid camel is a hybrid between a Bactrian camel and dromedary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpacking with animals</span>

Backpacking with animals is the use of pack animals, such as a horse, llama, goat, dog, or donkey to help carry the weight of a backpackers gear during an excursion. These animals need special considerations when accompanying backpackers on a trip. Some areas restrict the use of horses and other pack animals. For example, Great Basin National Park does not allow domestic animals at all in backcountry areas.

BurroCross is self-reliant (unsupported) backcountry travel on foot in the company of a burro where, similar to Overlanding the experience of the journey itself is the principle objective. BurroCross is a non-competitive sport or recreational activity that proceeds at a walking pace and is centered on utilizing the overland capabilities of burros for companionship and sharing the burden of carrying the gear necessary to sustain the journey. The burro and the person progress through the journey and the experience as a team, side-by-side, therefore the burro is not ridden. The term "BurroCross" is a unique play on words that combines "burro" with the notion of cross-country travel, and it is also a nod to the familiar cross-shaped marking down the back and across the shoulders of most burros.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Louise Southerden, "Kaikoura's natural wonders delight on land and sea", San Francisco Chronicle, page M4, March 27, 2011.
  2. Rees, Paul A. (3 July 2013). Dictionary of Zoo Biology and Animal Management. John Wiley & Sons. p. 225. ISBN   978-1-118-50026-2 . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 Julia Barnes, Camels and llamas at work, p. 23
  4. 1 2 Rupert Isaacsson (2007-03-23). "Head for the hills with a llama by your side; UK OUTDOORS". The Independent . Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  5. Michael Forsythe (2006-02-08). "Getting calmer with a llama". TVNZ. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  6. Camels and llamas at work By Julia Barnes, page 24.
  7. Llama trekking takes off, BBC, 3 June 2003
  8. Mathew Cantor (17 May 2020). "'Llamas are the real unicorns': why they could be our secret weapon against coronavirus". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  9. "Coronavirus: Llamas deliver shopping to those in self-isolation". BBC. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  10. Scott Graham (2006). Extreme Kids: How to Connect with Your Children Through Today's Extreme (and Not So Extreme) Outdoor Sports. Wilderness Press. pp.  162–164. ISBN   0-89997-373-6.
  11. Kay Frydenborg (2005). Animal Therapist. Chelsea House Publications. pp.  53–54. ISBN   0-7910-8704-2.