Back Country Lodges Setup 2020 With Pack Mules | Banff Trail Riders | Canadian Rockies

Here is a short video about the opening of Sundance and Halfway Lodges in Banff National Park. These lodges close each winter and are reopened for horseback operations throughout the summer. Everything is transported to the lodges via pack mules.
All of this footage was filmed on a Gopro 7 or Gopro 8.
I hope you enjoy the video.

[@johnerikborgersen7070]

I never thought that I would see the old route to Mt. Assiniboine Lodge , Sundance never looked like that back in the 70's. I worked for Erling Strøm and Siri Strøm Davies back in 1972. Al Johnston was my Trail Boss, worked as a rangler/guide that summer. We drove from Banff to Sundance with 2 old 1941 Willys Jeep Stationwagons. And "Halfway" only had 1 corral, Allenby Pass was the place I saw my first Grizzly tracks, Rode out and in 2 times a week, for food and supplies and pick ujp and delivery of guests.The stories I could tell. Best Summer of my life,,,

[@geraldblair5084]

That's some beautiful country

[@Floppy-Ears]

I should be working with some pack horses today, but it’s raining and I’m watching your videos! Thanks for taking the time to put them on here.

[@MeadowCreekFarmLife]

Music! Brilliant! Saddle dancing! So fun to see the familiar trails and lodges. Great trip last year. Awesome memories. Thanks for the videos!

[@georgehorkan7205]

Beautiful country ..... even if a bit wet. Would have loved riding up there. We were supposed to go to Banff this past July but had to cancel due to health. Should have headed that way when I got out of the military. Thank you for sharing.

[@tehseenkhan8490]

I love this atmosphere you have you guys are great.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks :) it’s always fun working with like minded people

[@tehseenkhan8490]

@@mitchandrew9910 May you always be blessed

[@mitchandrew9910]

@@tehseenkhan8490 thanks mate same to you

[@rochellehalligan2523]

the scenery is stunning!!

[@hitmanshadowrecon9017]

Great video!

[@TorresD92]

Beautiful scenery. I would love to do something like this in the future.

[@roberthambly9926]

That was awesome thanks

[@mitchandrew9910]

Glad you liked it mate

[@conniewolf7300]

lots of work!

[@englishstone340]

Bloody good video mate!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate glad you liked it

[@Kimbeattie]

Great Video that mule too some load of wood.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks :). It’s not as heavy as it look. And it was pretty close to camp so not too much of a walk :)

[@adamanderson1724]

Great video Mitch. I was wondering when you packed that fuel did you set your basket hitch up under the tarp and then proceed as you normally would?

[@mitchandrew9910]

Yeah mate that’s exactly right. Set your basket hitch up. Then lay the tarp in. Wrap you load in the tarp and it acts as an extra basket. Works great for small packages like the jerry cans. It’s also how I would usually pack fire wood but instead of a basket hitch I would use a barrel hitch

[@Floppy-Ears]

I’d love to hear about what make of pack saddles are working for you guys? Or which pack saddles are your favorite. Also, any other gear that’s working for you. Are you guys wearing lace up packer boots? Or cowboy boots? Looks like water and mud are an issue to contend with

[@mitchandrew9910]

I couldn’t tell you what brands of saddles they are mate. When I worked at this place we had about 70 miles and about 90 pack saddles all different and every season we just fit each mule with what worked best. My favourite though is any with classic wood bucks. Although at the end of the day I find they all pack the same. Ride in cowboy boots. No rules to what Ya walk around in. If it’s muddy and you want to wear muck boots go ahead. Goal is to not get off till I get to camp once I get on.

[@conradmeyer7613]

PARADISE

[@bobdh8858]

🐴🤠🤠🤠👍

[@justincharles3879]

I live in Jersey City and know absolutely nothing about what it means to be truly out in the wilderness and riding horses so do you guys own all that property the lodges and routes or do you rent it out? As well as the horses and mules? I’m very interested and would like to know a little bit more about this.

[@mitchandrew9910]

The company is called Banff trail riders. It is located in Banff national park in Canada. They do own all of the animals but the trails are public and the lodges are leased. You can see their website at www.horseback.com

[@ellafields9424]

Ever think about a working learning vacation? Might be one way to get out there. I've done a few like this though I'm a life long horse owner rider. I once did one in Maine on a Morgan farm. Was not free but I needed the advanced education on carriage driving.

[@chrisoconnor5880]

Tell Erica, Santa and Barb say hi

[@mitchandrew9910]

Will do

[@conradmeyer7613]

WHEN I SEE THE GREAT EARTH LIKE THIS I KNOW GOD WILL RETURN AS A HUMAN BEING

[@TheRobertsonLife]

What experience did you have before working here?

[@mitchandrew9910]

Close to zero mate. I had never packed before and very basic riding

[@TheRobertsonLife]

@@mitchandrew9910 are you still working there?

[@mitchandrew9910]

@@TheRobertsonLifenah mate. I finished there at the end of 2020

[@larryvet53]

Hello Mitch, how do you book a trail ride like this. Awesome

[@mitchandrew9910]

Hey mate. The best way if you wanna book at this place specifically is to go onto www.horseback.com

[@KoandCo]

Is this what an Alberta accent sound like? Like Aussie?

[@mitchandrew9910]

No, I am an Aussie haha

[@KoandCo]

@@mitchandrew9910 Ha ha. I'm from QUébec so I don't really get the nuances in accents. Thanks.

[@rusumarius5875]

🙏❤️🇧🇪🐴👋

[@tobiasobrien2150]

How does one get a job like this? It's through a national park so did you volunteer? I'd really like to participate in something like this!

[@mitchandrew9910]

It’s in a national park but it’s a company within the park. If you are in Canada or able to work in Canada now is the perfect time to enquire about applying.

[@ellafields9424]

If you are in the U S the SW (Gila Wilderness, NM) is a great place to start. The forestry hires seasonal help for trail work ect.. May be a start.

[@nathalievogt3143]

OMG those stalls are way too small :-(

[@mitchandrew9910]

What are you on about

[@ellafields9424]

Not for the time the animals are in there.

[@Kimbeattie]

took

[@mattbenson2497]

That music would get super annoying lol. I ride to get away from the modern tech.

[@mitchandrew9910]

We live in the bush all summer long mate. Away from phone service and internet. When you ride 6 to 8 hours on a trail a day by yourself sometimes music is nice. Somtimes it’s nice to sit in silence but not usually in the rain. If it wasn’t for modern tech I wouldn’t even have these videos.