Any parent who hikes with young kids is bound to hear a fair share of whining. “Why do we have to hike?” or “This is hard!” And the most common, “How much faaaaarther?”
But worry not, dear parents. Paragon Guides near Vail, Colo., offers a fun remedy to prevent such protests: Take a llama to lunch. This half-day, family-friendly, guided tour not only serves as a way to get your kids up the trail with fewer complaints, but also acts as an introduction to these animals, which serve as ideal companions for mountainous journeys because of their ability to lug up to 80 pounds of gear. Paragon Guides allows kids to take charge of these calm pack animals.
“As pack animals, llamas offer the opportunity for hikers to carry much smaller backpacks, [plus] a few special items that you might not normally carry because of the added weight,” says Donny Shefchik, Paragon field director and senior guide, who has worked with the company for more than 30 years.
Besides easing the burden of carrying food and gear, llamas are also eco-friendly. Their padded hooves and articulating toenails leave less trace than a hiking shoe. And since their scat is similar to an elk’s, it’s easily processed in the mountain environment. What’s more, their calm, gentle disposition can enhance the hiking experience, especially for kids.
“Due to their quiet nature, llamas are generally kid-friendly,” Shefchik says. “Their temperament on the trail is quite predictable, and they seem to watch out for whoever is leading them.”
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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