Backpacking with animals

Pack animals, such as the horse, llama, goat, dog, and donkey, are sometimes used to help carry the weight of a backpackers gear during an excursion.

They were invaluable throughout antiquity, through the Middle Ages, and into modern times, used wherever roads were nonexistent or poorly maintained.

They were heavily used in the transport of goods in England in the period up until the coming of the first turnpike roads and canals in the 18th century.

Mules are still used extensively to transport cargo in rugged roadless regions, such as the large wilderness areas of California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

[4] Dogs tend to show admirable hill-climbing ability and can carry a few kilos (several pounds) of gear (their own dry food and other) when among a backpacking party.

However, few dogs will be able to traverse the roughest off-trail terrain that their human backpacking companions will cross with little trouble.