Preparing for a Horse Pack Trip

Did you ever imagine you would be going on a horse pack trip? Let alone by yourself? The outfitter said anyone with good balance and a better sense of humor could do these trips. Well you took the plunge and signed up. The excitement has started to build. You’ve got your plane tickets and all your reservations are confirmed.

You received a list of things you will need on your trip and finally the day has come to pack. The outfitter says to take the list seriously and you do. You’ve got 3 of everything on the list to just make sure you’ll be prepared. Your duffel is overflowing and now you remember that there is a weight restriction. Oh God, how much was it? How do I weight this mess? Then you remember something about a duffel bag. Oh year the luggage has to be completely soft sided, no hard edge or frames. Well that’s lucky you are using your brothers old army bag, perfect. That’s right, it has to be soft because it will be packed in to all the camps by mule/horse train. Just like they suggest you have lined your duffel with a garbage bag first to help it stay water proof in case of inclement weather or high river crossings.

Out comes the scale, now its time to weigh your bags. You weigh yourself in and then hoist one of your bags. Gosh it pretty much covers your weight limit and you haven’t picked up the second one yet. Okay you think, lets give the pack train a break, some of this stuff can be done without. You hack and slash until you have it whittled down to the essentials; clothes that layer well and only a few changes of clothes not one for every day. A good sleeping bag (rated to -15 C) and an insulated sleeping pad. Double check on the long johns just to make sure. You step on the scale for a second time and yes, you are under the weight restriction. The first test of readiness has been conquered.

Now for the things you will take with you during the day. Your rain gear is state of the art, very important if you want to stay warm in case of bad weather. You have a good brimmed hat to keep the elements off your face and a pair of gloves to keep your hands warm. They said any shoe with a good solid sole that slipped in and out of a stirrup was okay and since you don’t have anything with a heel your light hikers will have to do. You don’t have saddle bags but they said a fanny pack would work just as well; no back packs because they are hard on your back and don’t tie to the saddle properly. As they suggest you have filled the fanny pack with things you really need; an extra pair of gloves, some lip balm and sunscreen. Oh yeah, your camera for all those amazing candids of the great people you’ll meet and the fabulous scenery and wildlife you’ll see along the way. You are ready.

Welcome to Banff National Park. Yes you have finally arrived. You are standing in one of the world’s most renowned wilderness parks and you are going to experience it first hand. You are going into the backcountry with an outfitter. The best part of a vacation like this is that you have absolutely no responsibilities beyond getting yourself out of bed in the morning. And yes they even give a wake up call way out in the bush, Cowboy style with a dinner triangle. You’re bound for adventure. Fresh mountain air, a good horse and a trail that lead you to one spectacular view after another in Banff National Park. Enjoy!!!