Horse camping has long been part of Pacific Northwest lore. The Nez
Perce used horses as transportation, and frontier fur trappers also
loaded and rode the animals. The journals of these mountain men
often contain glowing accounts of their nomadic lifestyle and
exhibit a profound appreciation of their surroundings. Today,
people still long to experience pristine wilderness and enjoy the
simple pleasures nature offers. Pack trips allow individuals of
many ages and physical abilities to reach glorious backcountry they
would never see otherwise. George Hatley has a deep connection to
the region and its early pioneers. As a boy, he learned that his
great uncle had been involved in the Misery Hill scrimmage of the
Nez Perce war, and that the Native Americans were riding
Appaloosas. He listened to his grandfather recount his Palouse
country arrival by wagon train in 1877, describing a beautiful
expanse with stirrup-high grass waving in the wind like ocean surf.
But the grand prairie sea became farmland, and so during harvest
season, young George was fascinated by teams of 33 horses pulling
combines. He eventually became a cattle rancher and trail guide,
indulging both his adventurous spirit and his passion for horses by
leading numerous camping trips amid the Northwest's magnificent
mountains and canyons. Originally released in 1981 and again in
1992, George Hatley's common sense manual is considered a
classic. In his amiable, practical voice, he shares both successes
and oversights, and reveals observations and experiences from years
as an outfitter. He covers trip planning, horses, tack, gear, food,
and other aspects of advanced preparation. He discusses horse
hauling and packing for the journey. Finally, he provides
information about setting out on the trail, establishing a site,
and life in camp. This new WSU Press edition has been skillfully
updated by Juli S. Thorson, Editor and Associate Publisher of Horse
& Rider magazine.
