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Pack Trial Basics - Shirley Weathers, Rosebud Llamas Utah

The pack trails are a way to test your llamas' abilities and training against a written standard in the kind of real environment where pack llamas do their work. The Pack Llama Trial Association (PLTA) sets the standards, sanctions trials, and maintains a database of llamas entering and completing trials and achieving certification at one of the three levels.

The three levels are set up on the basis of the llama's age and ability-Basic, Advanced, and Masters. Each class varies in terms of weight the llamas must carry, the number of obstacles they must complete, and elevation and total distance they must travel. To give you an idea, the Basic level pack llama is required to:

• Complete several "maintenance tasks": allow removal and replacement of halter, load and unload from a trailer, handle being staked or picketed for at least five minutes, and stand calmly to be saddled properly and have packs attached;
• (Depending on age), carry up to 10 percent of body weight;
• Complete a course of three miles with an elevation gain of 250-500 feet;
• Successfully and safely negotiate five obstacles-one water crossing, one jump, one deadfall, and two additional obstacles selected by the trial organizers. These may include thick brush, rock rubble, bridges, ramps, backing, a top-load item, tight places, duck-under, snow fields, traffic on trail (horse, dog, hiker with backpack, mountain-biker), a gate, picking up feet, spraying, and application of bug wipe/spray.

The Advanced and Masters levels build on this, requiring more weight, greater elevation gain and distance, and more obstacles, respectively.

PLTA pack trials are not about competition among llamas (or handlers), nor are they races. Obstacles are real-life circumstances that pack llamas might encounter on a trip.

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