EAGLE CAP WILDERNESS PACK STATION
HORSEMANSHIP GUIDE AND PACKING SCHOOL

(no 2003 classes scheduled at this time)

Visit the Eagle Cap Wilderness Pack Station

Wilderness Horse Packing School

You will learn the skills necessary for packing and outfitting at this school. Blue Mountain Community College and Eagle Cap Pack Station present a 13 day adventure that will expose you to the world of horse packing in a wilderness setting. The school will be based at the Eagle Cap Pack Station Headquarters south of Wallowa Lake and near the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Eagle Cap Wilderness is part of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest. It includes 293,735 acres of the Wallowa Mountains in Northeastern Oregon, which will be your classroom. The 13 day cession will introduce the student to subjects such as basic horsemanship, packing horses and mules, foot care of horses and mules, setting up wilderness camps, First aid and CPR, and map reading and compass use. The school will provide lots of hands on experience with horses and mules. Everyday will include time outdoors, experiencing the rugged mountains of NE Oregon.

Marlene and her sons Matt and Marc will be your hosts and mentors for this 13 day school. While staying in the comfort of their wilderness lodge, you will be taught the basics of guiding and outfitting, shoeing, setting up good complete camps, repairing tack, and understanding USFS rules and regulations. At the completion of the two weeks you will have the skills necessary for a safe and enjoyable backcountry experience. Emphasis will be on safety, outdoor skills, horse and mule handling, and packing. Working in a setting of pristine splendor you will learn to manage yourself and a group through the hazards of wilderness terrain, difficult trails, moving water, and night riding. The courses will take place in early summer, and the participants should come prepared for all extremes of weather. Plan to enjoy good food, good conversation, and a warm comfortable cabin every night. All stock and equipment will be supplied by the Eagle Cap Pack Station.