[davidw]

> forestry, National Park rangers

In most areas where these guys operate, actual mules are probably cheaper, and can be refueled with locally available forage. Not to mention they're more suitable for that kind of environment.

Perhaps more 'extreme' environments where that forage is not available would be more suitable?

[thinkcontext]

Not arguing but I'm curious what the total cost of ownership of a mule is. Handlers, stabling, feed, medical care, waste, etc. And all that is on a year round basis, you can't just stick it in the garage in the off season. Not to mention a human required to accompany it to the destination.

[grogenaut]

Walking the wonderland trail a few years ago I was remarking to my friend that in some of the most remote meadows at the top (7-8k feet) (https://www.google.com/maps/@46.9181125,-121.7649511,731m/da...) of the trail there were long stretches of very nice chat trails. He was saying what a pain it would be to bring the chat up and was trying to decide if it was ATVs or mules or whatever. I guessed helicopter.

We asked a ranger at the bottom. Answer: Helicopter. "They just dangle a huge bag of chat and we cut a hole and walk it along the path letting it pour out. Those mountain meadows are easier to do than the steep stuff at the bottom"

[Gracana]

I figured "chat" was gravel or something from the context, but had never heard the term before. Maybe I'm the lone idiot, but in case anyone else is confused:

"Chat is a term for fragments of siliceous rock, limestone, and dolomite waste rejected in the lead-zinc milling operations that accompanied lead-zinc mining in the first half of the 20th century. [...] Although poisonous, chat can be used to improve traction on snow-covered roads; as gravel; and as construction aggregate, principally for railroad ballast, highway construction, and concrete production."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chat_%28mining%29

[grogenaut]

In general it just means small crushed gravel. It's usually white or tan. Not sure if it's always a remnant from mining or not. Does a good job on the trail though.

[grogenaut]

Also egads is everything just mining leftovers?