The Mule Trains Are Back Home

With Hurricane Helene wreaking havoc upon beautiful Western North Carolina, many of the mountain roads were left completely destroyed or washed away and at the very least, impassable. Making rendering aid to those in need in the aftermath of the absolutely devastating tropical cyclone nearly impossible. And to date, the death toll of the horrible hurricane that struck between Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 through Sunday, September 29th, 2024 stands at 227. However, that number would be even higher were it not for the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch leading the way to North Carolina's most inaccessible communities via mule trains.

Specializing in extreme terrain pack animal supply trains, the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch was originally based in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. But, most fortuitously for North Carolina, is now based out of Mount Ulla, North Carolina. And with their mule trains at the ready, the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, has spent the past ten days providing aid to the hollers of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. With the mules being given carrots and apples during their much-needed breaks after climbing

up the steep mountains of North Carolina carrying packs full of supplies.

Serving as a morale booster, as well, the Mountain Mule Packers retain a special fondness for an 85-year-old lady who had been alone all week after the hurricane and could not get off of her property due to the condition of her driveway and road. But, with the arrival of the mule train, she began laughing and smiling as she ate the peanut-butter and crackers they unloaded for her from the mules. And this knack for spreading joy among people in extreme need as well as providing nourishment and essential supplies has led to the mule trains receiving lots of support on their aid supplying missions.

With one notable group being the Diamondback Wranglers, a special group of retired Special Operations Forces that including a soldier who was part of a horse unit in Afghanistan, arriving from West Virginia to lead the way on foot to clear the trails that any pack boxes couldn't get through. The 82nd Airborne unit also welcomed the mule trains into their camp so they could pack to head up a steep mountain. The Burnsville Baptist Church allowed the mule trains to stage at their Church so they could provide supplies to several families at the top of a mountain outside of Burnsville, North Carolina. And overall the Mountain Packer Mule Ranch has been very honored by the support they have received from the Appalachian people. Whom they describe as "being some of the strongest, kindest people."

The mule teams are currently back home at the ranch after ten days of service for some rest and relaxation as the Mountain Packer Ranch gets ready for their next aid supplying mission. Anybody wishing to assist them or provide the mule trains with donations, can contact the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch at info.@mountainmulepacker.com or call them at (910) 885-1402.

Luisa Reyes is an attorney in Tuscaloosa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Judson, a master's degree in library science, and a law degree from Samford's Cumberland School of Law. She is also a piano instructor and vocalist.