the wyoming life of cathy bradford
Like all students in my major I needed to find an internship. I had several files of interest varying from racehorse rehabilitation to working for a poultry producer. None of them had jumped out as an exciting prospect. That is when my advisor unknowingly opened an amazing door for me. “You are interested in working with llamas right? We have one internship on a pack llama farm. I will forward the information to you. You should contact them and see what you think.” That is how I ended up in Boulder, Wyoming working for Highline Trails Llamas.
Highline is a working pack llama outfitter and breeder owned by Al and Sondra Ellis. The ranch is located in Boulder, Wyoming near the foot of Wind River Mountains, the Wyoming Range, and the Gros Ventres Mountains. They maintain a herd of around 180 llamas with roughly half of those being or becoming working pack animals. Al began hunting with llamas in the 80’s and turned to breeding when he could not find pack llamas to replace his original animals. This ranch specializes in breeding BIG, strong, classic coated pack llamas. We strive to produce Ccara type llamas, animals that have the longevity to work hard out on the trail, well into their late teens.
I began full time the spring of 2009. Adam Black and I took a rather adventurous cross-country trek through a blizzard that left us stranded at more than one point! But I am now in my fourth summer taking trips into the mountains. Like most people who work with animals there isn’t really one title or job description for what you do. But my main job during the summer months is being a guide and leader on the pack trips into the mountains. During the rest of the year I train the upcoming animals, preparing them for the next season and trying to keep up with all of the maintenance of such a large herd!
My summers now consist of taking trips into the mountains and introducing people to using pack llamas in the backcountry. Our trips are considered “full service”. The means we lead the trip, take care of the llamas, cook meals, clean, and take care hanging the bear tree. For those of you who have been in the backcountry and had to deal with bears, you know that keeping your food intact can be pretty entertaining sometimes. I get to see some amazing scenery, hike in some parts of the country that very few people have seen, meet some amazing people, and see wildlife up-close. Before coming to Wyoming I had never been camping before, now I can’t imagine not being out!
I love to see how attached to the llamas our clients get during our trips. By the end of the week most people have learned how to properly handle the llamas in the backcountry and have become pretty attached to the llama they have led. Some of the clients cry when the llamas are put in the trailer to head back to the ranch, we even have several animals who receive fan mail and special requests for family trips! Watching the bond that is created between the handler and the llama during a trip is one of my favorite things to watch. I love to see the transformation of people being wary around the llamas as we begin our trek, to seeing the same people hugging and talking to their llama as we are walking the last couple of miles out. We try to educate the people as much as possible about the llamas and the country that we are lucky enough to be traveling in.
I have learned so much since coming here the summer of 2007. I had never really packed with llamas other than in the performance ring. I am now confident taking animals into the backcountry and being out for long periods of time. I have learned much about training animals to be confident, willing, and excited to work, not only with experienced handlers but also newcomers and children. Al and Sondra have provided me with such an amazing opportunity to learn about breeding and working conformation in llamas. This past year I became a screener for the North American Ccara Association (NACA). This organization is trying to preserving the working llamas, and was started by breeders who have many years of backcountry experience with llamas. The past winter I began research in conformation here on the ranch. I am collecting data on working llama body types, different growth patterns, and trying to put information together on how bone lengths and proportions correlate to create strong working animals. We weigh all of our animals at least once a week and have now begun measuring heights and bone length every six months until the animals reach maturity. There are not many other places where I would have such an amazing opportunity by doing nothing more than stepping out my cabin door in the morning!
Although I haven’t had time to attend any shows since my move out west, I am still looking forward to getting back into the performance ring at some point in the future. I can’t believe how incredible my job is. There is hardly a day when I don’t reflect on how perfectly all of this came together. I now get paid to work with llamas, something I would have been doing in my off time anyway. Getting to see llamas do what they evolved to do is incredible. Watching them mature from a frightened animal the first time they step foot into the wilderness, to a confident animal who handle surprises and near disasters with grace is remarkable.
If any of you find yourself out West and would like to take a hike into the backcountry feel free to contact me or Al and Sondy. We would be excited to see you! And I’m sure the scenery wouldn’t disappoint!
Cathy Bradford
Discovery Llamas
Boulder, Wyoming
catllama@gmail.com
(307) 231-5485
