Packing Tips & Best Practices
Learning to use a pack animal on the trail is one of the most rewarding outdoor skills you can develop. Whether you're taking your donkey on a leisurely day hike, packing into elk camp, or hauling game out of the Rocky Mountains, a well-trained pack animal can completely change the way you experience the backcountry.
Packing does require more preparation. Loading animals, hauling a trailer to the trailhead, and packing gear isn't as simple as throwing on a backpack and heading down the trail. But once you've experienced what a good pack animal can do, it's hard to imagine hunting or camping any other way.
For example, a backpack hunter may hear an elk bugling on a distant ridge and decide it's simply too far to pack an animal out on foot. With a pack animal, that same opportunity suddenly becomes realistic. Pack animals expand your range, reduce physical strain, and allow you to enjoy the mountains in ways that would otherwise be difficult.
Like any outdoor skill, successful packing comes from learning, preparation, and experience.
Start With a Good Resource
One of the best books I recommend to anyone getting started is Horses, Hitches & Rocky Trails by Joe Back.
Reading that book gave me confidence when I was learning to pack. It covers everything from equipment and loading techniques to trail etiquette and safe packing practices. Even experienced packers continue to learn from it.
Properly Fitted Equipment Matters
Nothing is more important than equipment that fits your animal correctly.
It's tempting to buy an inexpensive pack saddle at a yard sale or on Facebook Marketplace, but a bargain isn't a bargain if it causes discomfort or sores.
A properly fitted saddle protects your animal, distributes weight evenly, and makes the entire experience safer for both of you.
The saddle should fit the animal—not your budget.
Invest in Quality Gear
Good equipment makes packing easier and more enjoyable.
Some essentials include:
- A properly fitted pack saddle
- Quality panniers
- Reliable cinches and pads
- A pack scale
- Lash ropes and accessories
One of the simplest tools every packer should own is a pack scale. Even experienced packers use one because balanced loads are critical. A load that's just a few pounds heavier on one side can shift during a long day on the trail and make your animal uncomfortable.
Learn Basic Lashing Techniques
Every packer should learn a few basic lashings.
Popular methods include:
- Box Hitch
- Diamond Hitch
- Double Diamond Hitch
There are many excellent videos available that demonstrate each technique.
Years ago, I asked an old packer which lashing he thought was the best.
His answer has always stuck with me.
"Don't ever argue about which lashing is best. If you left the trailhead, made it to camp with all your gear, all your animals, and nobody got hurt...you did it right."
That advice still makes a lot of sense.
Learn From Experienced Packers
If you have the opportunity, attend a packing clinic or spend time with an experienced packer.
Watching someone who has spent years packing in the mountains can shorten your learning curve tremendously. You'll often pick up small techniques that aren't found in books or videos.
Just be sure you're learning from someone with a reputation for safe, ethical packing practices.
Practice Before Hunting Season
One of the biggest mistakes new packers make is waiting until hunting season to use their animals.
Take your animals on day hikes.
Load panniers.
Practice crossing streams.
Work on tying lashings.
Experiment with different loads.
The more time you spend together before your trip, the more confident both you and your animals will become.
Enjoy the Journey
Packing isn't just about getting gear from one place to another.
It's about spending time with your animals, exploring places few people ever see, and developing skills that have been passed down for generations.
Every trip teaches you something new. You'll discover what works, what doesn't, and how to become a better packer with each mile down the trail.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey. The memories you make with a good pack animal are often just as rewarding as reaching your destination.
