Mt. Le Conte Lodge Llama Train, Great Smoky Mountains

[@TheSHElogic]

All I have are photos and memories of my husband, Jim Matthews, the original llama wrangler on Mt. LeConte, packing supplies to the lodge with the llamas. He packed llamas from 1986 for two seasons, including a llama named Gonzales that belonged to me. That's how he and I met. Eventually, Jim and I went out west to work in the Cascade Mtns, packing supplies for backcountry hunters in Washington State. Because no one had cell phones in the '80s, no video exists as far as I can tell. I hiked up there several times with the llamas and Jim. Jim Matthews died from a brain aneurysm in 2017. Although his legacy may be hidden from the history books, he will never be forgotten. Our son was born in 1989 and is 33 yrs old now. 💞

[@SuziHeath]

6:19 Thank you for relating this sweet bit of history and love!

[@TheSHElogic]

@@SuziHeath Thank you Suzi! 💗

[@dr.jonesmurphy5743]

Llamas eating pancakes is the best

[@goodtimesinknox]

I want to go hike with them they're the coolest thing ever love this video... LLAMAS RULE!!

[@AliMarJo]

About 14 or so years ago, I was hiking up to Grotto Falls with my friend and his family, and they were bringing the llamas back down. We asked what they were doing and they told us that they were going back into town to wash linens, take trash away, etc. It was a really cool experience. I had recalled this memory several times before, but never thought to look on youtube before for videos. I'm so glad that someone made this video. It brought back great memories of an amazing trip. Thank you!

[@jonathanking9501]

I actually went on that hike over the summer and kinda helped escort one of the stubborn lamas to the top. it was really fun

[@jonathanking9501]

his name was max btw

[@JenniferLupine]

Cute Llamas! Fun to see them on the trail! They do their job well! 👌👍

[@curtchildress7160]

This was really a great little film about the llama train and trail. Excellent information and wonderful filming the sights along the way.

[@MishapAmethystHikes]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!

[@terryfinley7760]

This is so cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@douggalent4858]

Eddie sure gives some serious side-eye

[@vic5828]

I met and petted a few of the llamas on previous trips up Mt. LeConte. I have hike all the trails to the Lodge except Trillium gap trail. I think that will be my quest for 2014. It would be cool to be there on a day when the llamas are going up and follow them. Thanks for the video folks. Kind of gives me a homesick feeling of wanting to go up one more time this year. But it is November and I think I had better wait until next spring before I make my next hike.

[@placesaroundus]

Victor Burk ever heard the old western phrase: "South end of a northbound donkey" ? lol

[@christianadventure]

That was fun to watch! Our son, Matt, loves llamas! Jen

[@JAZZDEVINE2010]

I would love to hike with Clifford, Rex, Steve, Bassi??, Woody, Radar, Earl and Eddie. You said it took them 4 hours to hike 7 miles carrying supplies to the Mount LaConte Lodge. This is one of the cutest things that I have ever seen. It has been 8 years since this video was made. Please let me know how those Llamas are doing. I am going to the Smoky Mountain this Saturday. I wonder where I could see them.

[@Medicbobs]

It's just because the llamas are slow, as a human it's not as long.

[@MrDrodello]

WOW! Llama has two "L"'s.... all I know is that after hearing about their pancake lunches through my ears, makes me want to be a llama.

[@lynnrock]

I can not believe this video has a dislike. What is to dislike other than trying to be a troll?

[@insomb]

Maybe they want the Llamas to be free

[@紐]

So this is how they get supplies to the top that’s so cool

[@nova2wl]

Thanks Steve

[@triple_gem_shining]

Wow I wanna go here . So cool.

[@MegaTubetiger]

Very good video!

[@rdaugherty52]

They must have been using lamas more than 25 years because 40 years ago going to grotto falls the lamas were coming down they past us up and I wanted to take a picture the wrangler said turn around and smile they stopped turned around and smiled crazy stuff I'll never forget.

[@w.kempert1858]

super Grüße aus Berlin

[@tinalouiseking]

4:22 Earls over it 😂

[@beths.364]

I never heard of this. If this is still the way you get supplies, hopefully we will hear and see more about them. They are something.

[@elizabethhouston5473]

So interesting. Never thought of lamas as pack animals.

[@BONNIEJDAVIS]

Steve the llama :-) hehe!

[@genaromau1925]

You will only see the Llamas in Peru in the department of Ayacucho, Cusco, Arequipa.

[@melyann25]

How do I apply for this job?!

[@benmartz3405]

I think that job is earned. You really cannot apply for it. Volunteer is always your best bet. Good luck. Stay safe

[@catscradlegaming3319]

Get yourself a few Donkey's. They will fight anything & three of them could kick a bears ass. They are great guard dogs.

[@dennisjay4155]

Would love to hike up there. Been to grotto falls before.

[@bluewinggaming7583]

6 Miles isn't suck a great hike. You can do that in 2 or 3 hours. They look amazingly cute tho. Might go there one day

[@lebowskiunderachiever3591]

Have you hiked it ?

[@tomloeffler2777]

Don't forget it is a mountain climb as well.

[@TheJhtlag]

well, did you go there one day?

[@SleepyShowers666]

😍😍

[@joycehelton2082]

Attempted to see the llamas on Aug 2nd 2019 but they nor the trailer were to be found. Has the schedule changed?

[@Gohot229]

Oh shoot, we need a tramway and a couple rest spots, a liquor store and Burger King....

[@Ardent761]

we meet again, 240p

[@HunterBidenCocaineBag]

I would not want to do that hike in Winter. It must be brutally cold!

[@gallowglass2630]

you can see why the south american natives never invented the wheel as they didn't need to

[@dianetebbe8762]

Llamas are cute but don't they SPIT, like camels?

[@leyoungblood7856]

this is the creator of loomian legacy???

[@javierlope733]

these llamas should have Quechua names.....

[@amigosaurio]

Some how look like animal abuse. Where is this? Is tha the natural Environment for the animals?

[@0rluh]

luis -Quijano if you're not a vegan you really have no business thinking this is abuse. I'm sure this is healthier for them than being in a stable all the time.

[@d.aardent9382]

do you know what Llamas are? They live in high elevations in MOUNTAINOUS regions in S.America..they evolved for this sort of area. They use them as pack animals in Andes and many other places where they are native. They don't look too stressed out to me. Other than a bear attack,seems to be the only potential stressful thing. They get pancakes! lol Id carry a load of stuff up there if I knew I was going to get pancakes breakfast. lol

[@dynamite-zh2sm]

I thought there would be one comment like this and here you are.

[@milepost4846]

Luis Landa, let's load you up instead.