LLAMA
TREK 2009
On a
beautiful Labour Day Saturday, ten members and two friends of the Chinook Llama
and Alpaca Club met at the rustic home of Lorraine and Lee Guyn in the hamlet of
Beaver Mines, in the southern Alberta Foothills. The Guyn's home is built on the
original site of Lorraine's Babka's home. Her family, the Zoratti's, have
been ranching in this area for decades.
Don
Bevans, a member from Blackfalds east of Red Deer is a self-taught trekker and
all-round outdoors guy. His task was to teach us to pack and trek llamas
on a short excursion in order to tackle an overnight trip in 2010.
Saturday
night dinner provided not only great food but an opportunity to visit and bond
as a group.
Sunday
morning after a leisurely breakfast, we set out. Don had trailerd six of
his llamas to Lorraine's brother's ranch. They were good to go and so were
we. Our route meandered upward along the craggy outcroppings of
rock. Limber pine and Douglas Fir struggle to stay rooted beings
constantly swept by the ever present west wind. The expansive views of the
Livingstone and Rocky Mountains were breathtaking. We were also able to
see the famous Frank Slide and towering Crow's Nest Mountain to the
west.
It was
a fairly easy climb. The two-legged trekkers didn't complain. The
same couldn't be said for two of the llamas who displayed their annoyance by
kushing whenever they tired.
Lunch
was at the half way point where Lorraine, her sister and brothers have built a
memorial to their parents - a touching symbol to a hardworking
family.
The
trip down was relaxing but rather speedy as the llamas seemed to sense it would
soon be over. A five hour walk wasn't their idea of a good
time.
Our
Sunday BBQ was at the gazebo in Beaver Mines, a wonderful community gathering
spot. Don not only is a master trekker but a great biscuit baker. He
demonstrated, as only he can, how to bake biscuits in a dutch oven over a hot
bed of briquettes. A tasty treat !!!
After
breakfast Monday morning, everyone headed back to their own worlds, sorry to
leave but grateful for the experience.
A wonderful time was had by our club and we look forward to more
trekking in 2010.
