Do you dream of hiking deep into the back country with your family, but can't convince them to carry the packs it would take to make it a comfortable trip? Have you wondered what it would be like to survive entirely off of goat milk on a multi-day hike deep into the mountains? Are goats as lovable as dogs?

Marc Warnke, owner and operator of Pack Goats , joins Max Wade on The Goat Grazing Podcast to discuss how pack carrying goats were the key to getting his whole family deep into the back country, how he survived on a trip drinking over two gallons of goat milk per day, and how the goats have changed his life and gained a true place in his heart.

Find him at:

Instagram:

@packgoats and @Marcwarnke

Facebook:

@packgoats.com and @Marcwarnke

Youtube:

@packgoatscom and

Show Notes:

• (00:00) Introduction to Marc Warnke and the multifaceted power of goats
• (02:24) How goats became Idaho’s best backcountry livestock
• (07:01) The influence of origin stories and goats' capabilities in the wild
• (12:10) The pioneering work of John Mayansinski in goat pack history
• (14:30) Innovative gear, load balancing, and travel logistics for goats
• (18:04) Managing predators and camp safety in predator-rich environments
• (20:20) Goats' nutrition, forage, and wild feeding behaviors

• (25:50) Ripple Ranch
• (28:50 How goats foster connection and therapeutic interactions
• (36:36) Breeding for performance, desire, and herd dynamics
• (42:00) Conditioning goats for endurance and agility
• (55:30) Hunting with goats: stealth, scent cover, and game calling
• (1:05:31) Getting into pack goats
• (1:08:21) Purpose-driven animal use: respect, reverence, and stewardship
• (1:09:38) A trip to live off goat milk—long-distance, high-altitude adventure
• (1:12:27) Biochemical changes in goat milk during demanding backcountry work
• (1:21:20) The importance of social media
• (1:28:38) Advice to people looking to get into pack goats
• (1:34:53) The end