Jeffry Fisker — Jeff has been backpacking since 1974 and packing with llamas since 1997, and retired since 2016. He has learned substantial competence training, conditioning and packing with llamas over the last 24 years. He has recently completed over 1000 miles of backpacking on the PCT. He is a licensed food handler and trained in Wilderness First Aid and as a Wilderness First Responder. He has 20 years of experience planning and preparing meals for backcountry trips, including some dutch oven specialties. Jeff’s work experience includes wildland fire fighting on the Challis National Forest, forestry for the Coos Bay Bureau of Land Management, and engineering for manufacturing facilities.
Denise Bardal — Denise has organized and led family backpacking trips for over 2 decades. She is a licensed food handler with experience planning and preparing meals, and she’s learning the art of dutch oven cooking as well. She is also trained in Wilderness First Aid. She is an animal lover and confident handler of pack llamas. Denise has demonstrated a high level of competence at connecting with clients, looking out for their needs and comforts, as well as maintaining trip organization and flow.
Jane Favors — Jane owned 2 llamas in the 90’s, trained them and hiked most of the California section of the PCT and some shorter routes in the Sierras. She gave up llama packing for child-rearing, but knows both experiences are similar. Her main occupation is as a ship Captain which affords some time off for other pursuits. Part of her responsibility aboard ship is to act as a medical officer. Her Wilderness EMT experience serves as a solid foundation in the marine environment. She has also recently been volunteering as a medic for ultra-endurance races in Washington and California.
Irene Pasternack — Irene started leading backpacking trips with kids and teens in the 1970s, and started packing with llamas in 2021. She is trained as a Wilderness First Responder and is a licensed food handler. When not hiking, she works as a Feldenkrais Practitioner, helping people get out of pain and build coordination so they can do more of what they love.
We are enthusiastic, committed guides and are looking forward to some great trips.
The Llamas — Don’t think we forgot about introducing our pack. Meet them here.