FEATURE
THE CLACKAMAS PRINT October 11,1989 Page 9
ELC provides training ground for llamas
hyCathryn
Rangs
mas stand so tall and straight,”
by
Cathryn Bangs
says Hage.
Staff Writer
' Photography and plant iden­
Exotic creatures pad through
the Environmental Learning tification are a specialty of Hage’s,
Center pathways, leaving little trace and some teachers and students ,
can take college credit for study
of their passage.
Llamas and thei r trainers have on the trips.
Camping without a great
been using the ELC grounds as a
training center to prepare them environmental impact and teach­
for real trails, bridges and water­ ing others these techniques is
ways on wilderness trips sponsored another aspect of the trips.
"The program began three
by the ELC.
“Take a Llama to Lunch” is a years ago, Hage remarked.
“I returned from a marathon
day hike to Ramona Falls, near
Mt. Hood, scheduled for this backpacking trip where I carried a
45 pound pack. Soon after that I
Sunday, October 15.
Nan Hage, Assistant Direc­ met Jean (Skou, the llama owner)
tor of the ELC, has much good to when her husband was doing some
excavating for the ELG She said
say about llamas.
“I really like their personali­ llamas carried gear for packing,
ties,” says Hage. “They are affec­ and that sounded pretty good to
tionate, stable, surefooted, and they me.” .
Since then the program has
do not hurt the environment Their
feet leave less marks than a per­ evolved to day, weekend, and week­
long trips, taking up to five llamas
son’s footprint.
The ELC is letting Nan Hage and Jean Skou use their grounds to train llamas. Skou is
This is because of the llamas’* to pack gear,
training the llamas for real trails, bridges, and pathways In the wilderness.
Hage relates a funny story
unique foot, Hage explained. Iris
soft like a dog’s pad on the bot­ about this summer’s trip to Jorn
tom, and there is a hard cloven Lake in the North Cascades.
’ The llamas were tethered on
hoof forming thd top and the toes.
While llamas don’t haul long leads to graze in the meadow.
“While I was under the port­
people, they do haul food and gear.
They can generally pack from 60 able shower, I heard someone or
to 80 pounds, or one-quarter of something walking up the trail. I
their body weight The llamas used turned to see Thunder the llama
by the ELC weigh from300to 400 peeking at me around the, trees.”
Hage quickly realized it was
pounds. Males are used for pack­
ing, females for breeding. Both up to. her to catch the llama,
whether she was clothed or not
are used for their wool. ---
“I’ve never dressed so fest in
Hage said that people come
on llama hikes for many reasons. my life!” Hage laughed.
She donned what clothes she
“For some it is a new and
novel way of hiking; others are could, and by that time others had
thinking of buying (llamas). Other come to help. With a bribe of al­
people are to the point where they falfa pellets, and the llama was
need help carrying gear, either captured.
As Hage’s story’illustrates,
because of back injuries or other
handicaps, or they are carrying packing with llamas can be fun
and full of surprises.
children in packs.
Details of Sunday’s trip and
“Some have noticed then-
posture has improved after walk­ trips scheduled for next summer
ing with llamas because the 11a- are available at the ELC
Alyssa is one of the baby
llamas on the ELC grounds.
The llamas are used to
Fresh Fruit and Salad Bar
ly
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One trip $2.45
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655943 oo
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owner
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