Stock Users Invited to Attend Wilderness Workshop, Co-Hosted by Olympic National Park and Backcountry Horsemen

Date: March 25, 2009
Contact: Barb Maynes, 360-565-3005

Stock users interested in learning more about packing techniques, ‘Leave No Trace’ principles and using stock animals, such as horses, mules and llamas, on Olympic National Park trails are invited to participate in a one-day wilderness stock packing workshop on April 17.

The workshop will be held at the park’s stock corral near the Elwha Ranger Station from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 and is offered free of charge. A chili and hot dog lunch will be provided by the Peninsula Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen for a $3.00 donation.

Professional stock packers, including park staff and volunteers, will demonstrate packing techniques and will coach participants in hands-on packing practice. Information about training and conditioning animals for trail use, protecting resources by using ‘Leave No Trace’ techniques, and an overview of wilderness regulations and park volunteer guidelines will also be discussed.

Space is limited; to register for the workshop, interested people should contact the park’s animal caretaker and packer Clare Donato at 417-9231. The workshop will be held outdoors, so participants should come prepared for a range of weather conditions.

Olympic National Park has nearly 200 miles of wilderness trails that are maintained for stock use. More information about using, enjoying and protecting the Olympic National Park wilderness is available at the park’s website or by calling the Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100.