In the olden days, hayburners were used to transport materials in the mountains. They still are found these days in places such as the Sierras. Beasts of burden from mules to llamas carry out this task, bearing supplies and such with sure-footed grace and stolid spirit.
On San Jac, one can be thankful for the historical usage, associated with construction of a Mule Barn (and corral). Who knew how those structures might one day be so handy for, say, a Hiker Hostel prn Snowstorm Strandings.
Meanwhile, hayburners have been supplanted by gas burners.
Carbon footprint? Bah. How about a *trail* footprint.
Eat my dust!
CCC workers on the RV trail in San Jac 120613. There appears to be some inequity of division of labor in these pics and vids. Frankly, these young folks were muling substantial loads by shank's mare--including those with rouge (that's for you, HJ ;) .
CCC workers on the RV trail in San Jac 120613. There appears to be some inequity of division of labor in these pics and vids. Frankly, these young folks were muling substantial loads by shank's mare--including those with rouge (that's for you, HJ ;) .
On point for the caravan, the two ladies in this pic had springy steps despite hefty packs:
This gent was Lead Mule Driver, and quite skilled:
In this video, he shifts from low range, which is used with more challenging terrain features, to high range, with faster speed on smoother trail sections:
https://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=44046456
The middle of the pack:
Yikes! Where's the brake on this thing! No tailgaiting (sic)....
Ice chests contain cool beverage selections? Hmm, they *are* doing lots of rock work...maybe like in films of the old west, they have Nitro on ice for more stability...nah
"Ooosh! Balance, Daniel -san!"
Propane tank makes a fine front bumper in case of head-on collision with trailside boulders ("Look Mom! No Eyebrows!") These two cans project beyond the diamond plate, unlike the propane canister on the other unit:
Bringing up the rear, this young lady struggled to gain experience wrestling the mule-mech. Hats off to her, as she persevered with a task that is not as easy as some make it look:
Video of the caravan:
https://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=44046455
There is an element of self-perpetuating job security. Perhaps.
One of their tasks is trail maintenance, and damage to the trail caused by these mules will need repair, especially where the caravan had to venture off-trail to negotiate terrain obstacles:
No clear sign of why they detoured around this tree, off trail:
Hey, how'd this sneak in here? Ice boles:
As for me, I'd just as soon see llamas on the trail.
(btw, the llamas in the roadside corral on the road in to Baldy are friendly and approachable, e.g. if you have youngsters that might enjoy a brief stop photo op. Just don't feed 'em. Especially Tina--no meatloaf ;)
kind regards
arocknoid
