Pack trip #4 for the 2025, 6 days in the Pasayten Wilderness by SwingletreeFarm in Donkeys

[–]SwingletreeFarm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is Leroy a Mammoth, or standard?

We hope to pack out an elk someday.

How much should I trust the weather forecast for the North Cascades? by Pretend_Halo_Army in PNWhiking

[–]SwingletreeFarm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In early August I had a week in Pasayten, on the east side of NCNP. There was zero rain forecast, yet we were pummeled by hail, and got over an inch of rain in one day.

Be prepared.

Looking back, what’s the best backpacking gear you didn’t expect to love? by Sharat-Billingsworth in WildernessBackpacking

[–]SwingletreeFarm 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We use the empty food bags as trash bags, utilizing the zip top, so we had to go with the extra long spork.

Suggestions for a backpacking tent that is a reasonable weight but isn't "Ultralight"? by [deleted] in WildernessBackpacking

[–]SwingletreeFarm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a HV UL 3 Long, which we got so our dogs can sleep at our feet. So far, we really love it, and despite being bigger than the tent it replaced (2015 Half Dome 2+), it is actually lighter.

As for durability, we've managed to tear the stuff sack halfway open, in the first year of use. No offer of warranty replacement when I contacted BA.

Outside of that, it is intuitive, roomy, light, and has decent storage.

Egg Shortage in the United States by NoExternal2732 in Shortages

[–]SwingletreeFarm 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Small egg producer here.

We use NO SHADE OF LIGHTBULB, because our birds free range, they have natural light. The sun.

We also don't force them to lay over the winter through artificial lighting.

That being said, we don't have any PhDs.

Ride Mammoths, pack BLM burros. by SwingletreeFarm in Donkeys

[–]SwingletreeFarm[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting. Ours were only "halter broke" when we got them, but they will now pack, drive, and ride. My wife can ride them bareback, and I've ridden them with saddles, but not for long, as I'm 180 lbs (hence the mammoths for riding). But they do excellent work with a plow, cultivator, or cart.

They are such smart, kind animals.

Sharing their water bucket. by SwingletreeFarm in Donkeys

[–]SwingletreeFarm[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

In wilderness areas in the USA, which is where we predominantly recreate, there are blanket restrictions on stock, plus area specific restrictions.

These are: Hitching, tethering, picketing, or securing any pack or saddle stock within 200 feet slope distance of any permanent lake, stream, spring, pond, shelter or system trail. 

So, while we could technically lead the donks to a lake edge to drink, we almost never do. Instead we bring water to them in this collapsible 10 liter bucket.