Pack station
Encyclopedia
A pack station is the base of operations for transporting freight via pack animal
s in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The station facilitates the transition from mechanized transportation to pack animals, and necessarily includes a corral
for the animals and sometimes a stock loading ramp. In some places there may also be a barn
or other structure to house feed
and tack
, and a loading dock
or shelter for the items to be transported. In locations on private land, there may be a business office on site.
The term "pack station" is most often used in California. In other parts of the USA, outfitters may simply refer to a permanent or semi-permanent trailhead or wilderness camp as a "station" or "outfitter camp."
on horseback can usually handle up to five pack mules, who are tethered together in a line called a pack string.
Many commercial outfitters today support recreation activities
such as camping
and fishing
trips and hunting
expeditions. Government agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service
, as well as a few commercial outfitters have pack operations to transport construction
materials, trail tools, and fire fighting equipment into wilderness areas.
In either case, the process and techniques used are very similar to those developed prior to the era of motor vehicles. Customers arrange for a meeting time or a delivery time and drop their goods and supplies at the pack station. Packing services are charged by the pound or by the animal, typically with a minimum price depending on the distance from the pack station. Everything is weighed, sorted for each animal, then split 50/50 to get a balanced load on each side of the animal; an unbalanced load will cause the saddle to slide to the heavy side, causing discomfort to the animal, and potentially inviting disaster. The average mule
can carry as much as 300 pounds (136.1 kg). A mammoth donkey
can carry up to 200 lb (90.7 kg) and standard donkey limit is 125 lb (56.7 kg). However, most pack station mule loads are limited to 150 pounds (68 kg)
calls this a special-use permit. A separate permit is required if the pack station or wilderness caches are located on public land.
Pack animal
A pack animal or beast of burden is a working animal used by humans as means of transporting materials by attaching them so their weight bears on the animal's back; the term may be applied to either an individual animal or a species so employed...
s in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The station facilitates the transition from mechanized transportation to pack animals, and necessarily includes a corral
Corral
Corral is a town, commune and sea port in Los Ríos Region, Chile. It is located south of Corral Bay. Corral is best known for the forts of Corral Bay, a system of defensive batteries and forts made to protect Valdivia during colonial times. Corral was the headquarters of the system...
for the animals and sometimes a stock loading ramp. In some places there may also be a barn
Barn
A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment...
or other structure to house feed
Compound feed
Compound feeds are feedstuffs that are blended from various raw materials and additives. These blends are formulated according to the specific requirements of the target animal...
and tack
Tack
Tack may refer to:* A type of cut nail, used in upholstery, shoe making and saddle manufacture* Horse tack, harness and equipment to allow horse-back riding* Tack , quick, temporary stitching intended to be removed...
, and a loading dock
Loading dock
A loading dock is a recessed bay in a building or facility where trucks are loaded and unloaded. They are commonly found on commercial and industrial buildings, and warehouses in particular....
or shelter for the items to be transported. In locations on private land, there may be a business office on site.
The term "pack station" is most often used in California. In other parts of the USA, outfitters may simply refer to a permanent or semi-permanent trailhead or wilderness camp as a "station" or "outfitter camp."
How packing works
One wranglerWrangler (profession)
In North America, a wrangler is someone employed to handle animals professionally, especially horses, but also other types of animals. Wranglers also handle the horses and other animals during the making of motion pictures...
on horseback can usually handle up to five pack mules, who are tethered together in a line called a pack string.
Many commercial outfitters today support recreation activities
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
such as camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
trips and hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
expeditions. Government agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, as well as a few commercial outfitters have pack operations to transport construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
materials, trail tools, and fire fighting equipment into wilderness areas.
In either case, the process and techniques used are very similar to those developed prior to the era of motor vehicles. Customers arrange for a meeting time or a delivery time and drop their goods and supplies at the pack station. Packing services are charged by the pound or by the animal, typically with a minimum price depending on the distance from the pack station. Everything is weighed, sorted for each animal, then split 50/50 to get a balanced load on each side of the animal; an unbalanced load will cause the saddle to slide to the heavy side, causing discomfort to the animal, and potentially inviting disaster. The average mule
Mule
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes. Of the two F1 hybrids between these two species, a mule is easier to obtain than a hinny...
can carry as much as 300 pounds (136.1 kg). A mammoth donkey
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
can carry up to 200 lb (90.7 kg) and standard donkey limit is 125 lb (56.7 kg). However, most pack station mule loads are limited to 150 pounds (68 kg)
Permits
Outfitters generally operate within the boundaries of public land and are required to maintain an outfitters permit. USDA Forest ServiceUnited States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
calls this a special-use permit. A separate permit is required if the pack station or wilderness caches are located on public land.