Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 22 - The Journey Home

"Let's roll out!"


Today we ride down the mountain.
Down, down, down, down down down down down down we go!











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There is an accompanying video to go along with this final post from Wyoming, but it seems to be having problems uploading... Stay tuned folks and we'll get it put up as soon as possible...

In the meantime...

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We arrive safely (just!) 'down below' just in time to make it for dinner...
Dinner reservations have been made at Trapper Lodge not far from The Hideout
The food is good, the wine is good and above all... the music is good.

I mentioned before that Llion was a touch shy when it came to being in front of the camera.
But..

When you give the man a guitar...?


VIDEO

Sorted. What a perfect way to end the perfect trip...

Nice work lads, Lucozade Energy Challenge: Cattle Ranching in Wyoming is finally at an end. Cattle Wrangling, Roping, Herding and Driving all COMPLETE.

Excellent work all round.

Remember people!

Do More.

'til next time! :)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 21 - This isn't on the schedule!

If you're reading this, then you know why you're here.
You're here for the Lucozade Challenge.
The Lucozade Energy Challenge in fact.

The Challenge on this trip is Cattle Ranching. However, this group seem to be set on finding new challenges that simply go above and beyond that of the pre requisite demands.

In my previous post I mentioned the trek to Shell Lake.

But. As much as these photos feed my imagination - these are not why we are here.
Oh no. Shell lake. Remember that?

If you forget - 10,000 ft up in the Big Horns - Shell Lake is many, many things... however, 'warm' is not one of them. So when I talk about the 'extra' lucozade energy challenges that the group - and this part I cannot emphasise enough - that the GROUP insisted on fulfilling themselves was taking a dip in Shell Lake..





Legends.

That night Stewart tells us tomorrow we're riding back down.

"Ok, cool. How far are we driving down first?"
"Aww no, we'll ride the whole way. Head out about 10, we'll get down there for around 4ish maybe? Shower then dinner about 6? What' do you say?"

"Yeah*, dinner sounds nice..."

*Forget every part of the conversation that happened from this point forth, all we heard was six. hours. in. the .saddle."

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 20 - Wilderness Adventure

Today we're riding up into the wilderness. Stewart has told us about a place called Shell Lake, situated some 10,000ft above sea level, it's natural lake hidden away in the mountains some two hours away from the entrance to the wilderness. So we pack up the horses and set off..

We'll get to the good photos in a second but it has to be said that today we say our first MOOSE!

Amazing creature, so graceful...



We unload the horses and start riding, Shell Lake is hidden away up in the Big Horns and it takes some time to reach our destination.
We passed many, many other natural lakes on the way up, including this one that had horse-shaped rocks gently lapping at the water's edge.



Perfect or what?

When we arrive at Shell Lake it's gone 2pm and we're starving. As lunch stops go, this is by far and away one of the best ones yet...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 19 - The Upper Hideout

Later, after rounding up the last few waifs and strays, we head further up and into the mountains, all of our bags have been transferred to The Upper Hideout and we're about to discover our new home for the next three days.

At 8,500 ft up - the air is thin here and the views are... stunning.





And, after working hard all day out in the Big Horn Mountains - we sit out on the porch, watch the Sun go down and tell tales and sing songs until the early hours...




"This is a dream come true..." says Llion, after singing a few songs himself.
Plans are made for Friday, a duet maybe?

We'll see... ;)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 18 - Easily Forgotten

During all this ranching and horse riding it's very easy to forget exactly where you are. I mean, yes we all know we're in the good ol' US of A.
And yes, we all know we're in Wyoming.

But.

The fields, meadows and hills that we're driving them through?
They're in a MOUNTAIN RANGE.


Seriously, you totally forget how high up you are and it's only when you reach the crest or ridge and you look up and realise that you can see for nearly 100 miles in every direction.

It truly takes your breath away.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 17 - Try, Try Again

Rounding up cattle, take two.

After our first attempt (and subsequent failure) at herding the Heffa, Stewart and Stanley join us to give us a much-needed guiding hand/paw.



And would you believe it? Slowly but surely we get the hang of it. Driving Cattle through meadows, over hills and into valleys, all the while on the look out for any strays that we need to pick up on the way - in the end we herd a little over 220.



Two Hundred and Twenty.

This. Is. Not. Easy.

Herding this amount of lumbering beasts across such rough terrain needs extremely high levels of physical energy, sharp concentration and impeccable teamwork.

It's like controlling running water I guess, moving around it to stop it spilling over into the wrong direction and gently, slowly coercing it to the lake you want it to go to.



End of the day score? +201.

We did good today, as Stewart mentioned previously. It's no big deal if we don't get them all, the fact that we moved so many was a surprise.

Teamwork. All about the teamwork.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 16 - The Concept

Stewart Reed explains exactly what it is we're doing up here... :)

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 15 - Cattle Herding 'Yearlings'

So yesterday Daf left us saying that today we would be herding 'livelier' cattle..
Well, he wasn't kidding - shall we see how they got on?



Waking up at Snowshoe Lodge

Today we had a lay in, 8:30 was the call. As we were already up in the mountains an early start was not required. Today Stewart tells us that there are 487 'Yearlings' out that he needs to drive to the right field.



From what we've learned so far, it would seem that herding/driving Cattle is quite like crop rotation. You move the cattle to one field where the grass is fresh and ready and, once that is gone, you move them on again. Each time allowing the previous field to grow back again.

It must be said, after yesterday's drive, we're feeling pretty confident. However, there is a huge difference between the two tasks. Yesterday, the beasts were Bull. Old, slow and docile. Happy to be poked and prodded in the right direction without much moaning or attempts to runaway.

Today's beasts are one year old heffas - 'Yearlings'. We're told that it won't be as easy and... as we pull up along side the first set we find, it's clear that they're very alert and very easily startled.

Our first encounter went a little something like this:



Yeah. We lost 19. End of session one score: -19.

Damn. This is harder than it looks.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 14 - Driving Cattle!

Challenge 2 - Driving Cattle



We arrive at the foot of Shell Valley, and unload our cargo. First the horses and then the Bull.

"Keep behind them..." is the only advice Stewart gives us.



'Livelier cattle' - yeah, we'll see about that shall we?
Thankfully, after all that driving, it wasn't too long until we arrived at Snowshoe



Aaaaand relax.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 13: The Slow Burn

You might be sat there at home, or in your office or even in fact on the train reading this and thinking:

"Hey, this is no 'Energy Challenge', these guys have it easy!"

And to an extent I can see why you might think that but, the lessons that we've had throughout the few days we've been here have been no walk in the park. Also, our guide, Stewart is dropping the winners straight into the deep end with this training regime.

Normally it would take weeks and months before anyone on the ranch lets you do these kinds of things. But Stewart knows these guys have to be fit and ready before we head up into the Mountains and he's not taking any risks. If any of the winners fail at the tasks laid out, they don't go up. It might seem like a walk (or ride - heh) in the park, but trust me - these guys are pushing themselves hard.

This post is called 'Slow Burn' and here's why:

Over breakfast this morning I asked Daf how he was feeling about the impending mountain drive.

"Slightly apprehensive, a little excited... it feels like we've been building up to something and now.. well, it's here."


Slow burn indeed. The winners in Namibia were able to start throwing themselves down sand dunes almost on day one.

This time round, the winners need a constant and *consistent* supply of energy just to condition yourself for the days ahead.

Today the real challenge is just beginning.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 12 - LET'S MOVE OUT!

6:30 Wake up call

Today we're leaving The Hideout and we won't be returning 'til Friday. We're spending the next three nights out in the Big Horn Mountains at elevations of around (and above) 8,000ft... We're packing all we need for the day and our bags are being driven ahead up to Snowshoe Lodge.



7:30 Breakfast.

Peter, the Ranch Manager, explains to us our route across the mountains of where we'll be driving cattle and where we'll be staying each night.

We discover that we're only spending the one night at Snowshoe Lodge, the other two we're away we're up at The Upper Hideout, at 8,900ft about sea level - you can kinda see how the lodge got its name.

8:30 Time to leave.

Stewart picks us up with the pickup and we all manage to cram into the cabin. Our horses are in tow and it's time to head off. Stewart tells us we're to drive to the foot of the Mountains, saddle up and then travel the rest of the way on horseback.

But first, we need to round up some Bull to take with us.



These bad boys are BIG.

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 11 - Catching Cattle

"So, boys... " - says Stewart - "...time to test your rope skills. Go on... GET!"

We open up the gates and let some cattle into one of the larger pens. Stewart equips us with different rope this time. The clips on these come off easily so - as soon as we lasso ourselves a live one, the rope breaks free and the cow can walk away without distress.



On that note, it must be said that everything at The Hideout is done with the welfare of the animals involved at the top of the agenda. Cow, horse, bull or even dog. All the animals here are loved and cared for.

These guys know their stuff and it's good to see.

Speaking of things that are good to see - check out this roping photos:







Love that Llion's running away in this one... Heh





Put your back into it Wayne! ;)
Excellent work all round lads...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 10 - Looking Ropey

Post walk/rideabout on horseback, we headed back into the Barn to lasso us some (wooden) cattle...

It must be said, Wayne was a natural.



Rope work is hard work, so after lunch - Stewart took us on a ride down to the local saloon, 'Dirty Annie's'









We were there, out on the porch and Stewart mentioned using our new rope skills to catch some *real* cattle...



"Really?"
"Yeah, it could be fun..."

We're getting used to Stewart's low southern drawl..

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 9 - How to unsaddle your horse, with Stewart & Daf

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 8 - Saddle Up!

First time on horseback for all of us. Jon, Wayne, Daf and then Llion (aka The Lion)


Today the training begins.

Yesterday we picked our horses, today we learn to ride them. Stewart, our resident cowboy guide and instructor for the week, shows us the ropes (shouldn't that be 'reigns'?). We practice mounting, trotting, stopping and then dismounting.



One by one we trotted around the barnyard, practicing all that we'd been taught.
Most of us got there in the end, others... well, they just stood there. Fun to watch though ;)

I've been made to promise that I won't mention the one fall that happened that day. No one got hurt, Stewart just got some dirt on his hat. That's all.

;)

Believe it or not, that was only half the morning, but before we move onto anything else, we need to learn how to unsaddle our horses...

Challenge: Cattle Herding Post 7 - Rockin' on down to the Rodeo

After the epic shopping trip (those boots took forever) in and around the local town of Cody (I say local, as in - it's only an hour and a half's drive away. Yep. This is Big Country out here). It's time to see how the pros do it and rock on down to the local Rodeo.



Cody is a small town founded by Buffalo Bill Cody himself and suitably enough is "The capital of Cowboy Rodeo."



Handy that, given that's why we're here :D
They even look the part too, isn't that right Wayne?



Settling down in the stalls, the Rodeo kicks off slowly at first with cow chases, then lasso compeitions and finally, Buffalo riders.











The level of skill involved to compete in some of these tasks is quite something and although there is a long week of hard work ahead, it's nice to see everyone relaxing (as well as secretly take notes) before we head off into the mountains later this week.

Also. Tomorrow? The hardcore training begins...