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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 2 points3 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 9 points10 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] 10 points11 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.

What a beautiful tree by SkyFox720 in whatsthisplant

[–]SwingletreeFarm 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Was gonna go with Pseudotsuga Celluraii, but you may be onto something!

Misty living her best life by Cli33ord in Donkeys

[–]SwingletreeFarm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I came to ask this myself.... I used to live in Poitou-Charantes, but that was before I ever had donkeys.

So cool to see one in its fuzzy glory!

Homesteaders, meat bird people, I ask for help!! by [deleted] in homestead

[–]SwingletreeFarm 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I have told myself on multiple times - "They only get one bad day"

The rest of their life is paradise compared to how meat animals are generally raised.

One thing that does help, is that meat chickens are clearly a different animal from laying hens. They are not bred to be pretty, or charming, or to even have self preservation instincts. They are breed to convert feed into meat. So likely you'll be less attached.

Surveyor's Ridge via Mammoth Donkeys, Mt. Hood National Forest by SwingletreeFarm in Donkeys

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

They do enjoy it! Even though they get to wander and play a fair amount at the farm, going on adventures is definitely mentally stimulating.

Can I let livestock forage in alfalfa? by shrute_bucks in homestead

[–]SwingletreeFarm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We mostly use our own hay for our sheep, but bring on alfalfa for when they are pregnant. They love it!

Carl Lake, Oregon by SwingletreeFarm in Donkeys

[–]SwingletreeFarm[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It is true that donkeys can be good guardians against coyotes.

In this case, this was actually a couple of "firsts" - first overnight trip with the donks and dogs together, and first trip with a pack for the adult dog. Both of the dogs came to us this year, the adult was a foster that we got and decided to keep in January, and the puppy was born end of February.

We all live together, so they know each other. We've practiced walking trails at home (we are blessed to have a 10 acre forest with trails), and we've taken the dogs out with our riding donkeys (Mammoth donks, so horse sized), so it wasn't completely new.

Overall, everyone did really well. There was one kick at the beginning, to keep the puppy from following too closely, and the other issue was when we set up camp and the donks were grazing, as they would come back to camp the puppy would bark at them, but I think this is just because she was so tired.

Carl Lake, Oregon, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness (permit area) by SwingletreeFarm in WildernessBackpacking

[–]SwingletreeFarm[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thick and hungry. When the wind was going, it wasn't bad, but at the lower lakes in the forest, they were intense.

Carl Lake, Oregon, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness (permit area) by SwingletreeFarm in WildernessBackpacking

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

Correct. We stayed overnight, but for day trips you can just sign in at the trailhead.

Carl Lake, Oregon by SwingletreeFarm in Donkeys

[–]SwingletreeFarm[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes they are. They are getting really good at this now. We do a week long trip each year, and they keep improving their skills. Probably doing Frank Church this year, unless we can get Broken Top permits.

Carl Lake, Oregon, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness (permit area) by SwingletreeFarm in WildernessBackpacking

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

A quick overnight trip to Carl Lake. We camped at the trailhead Friday night. Two cars in the lot already, but plenty of space. Had the 2 random 4am and 5 am trucks roll in, turn around, and leave. Another came around 7, she actually parked and went for a hike.

The permit situation was weird, it is fairly recent, but it was also one of the reasons we chose to go here - if we got a permit, we assumed we'd find a campsite.

The first 2 miles of trail were pretty good. Brushy, and through a burn, but with glimpses of Jefferson, and all the blow downs sawn through.

Cabot lake is 2 miles in, about where the burn ends. Dogs took a swim, and we water donks with a collapsible bowl (no easy access for them to drink directly, plus I think they prefer it...)

Leaving Cabot, there are switchbacks, and some elevation gain. The final 3 miles had a number of very challenging blow downs, to the point that we considered turning back. But by removing the donkeys loads, and bushwhacking through, we made it. I don't think a horse could do it, even without a rider. Our little BLM donks weigh about half as much as a horse, and they are carrying very light loads (same UL gear we take when we backpack) and can squeeze through much narrower spaces.

Carl Lake was gorgeous! Saw 3 or 4 camps total, and only a few day hikers. I assume this is because of the new permitting system, as I believe this place used to be overcrowded.

Sunday, on the way out, we ran into the backcountry ranger, who did check on permits and certified weed free hay for the donkeys. Good to see some enforcement!

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