You want to put together a load so you can go 15 miles down the trail without having a wreck. You can turn packing into an art form just like anything else.

The Grapevine is a trail section that's 13.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,914 feet. Because it's a trail, there is no vehicle assistance on that leg.

When I started, there were just a few miles of trail; now we have over 60 and are always planning on adding more.

It's the whole trail getting there that takes the toll. They ask a horse to run 1 1/4 miles for the first time (in the Kentucky Derby), but it's a long road getting there.

We were backpacking in the backcountry. We covered several hundred miles. Did a lot of off-trail stuff and some mountaineering. Music sounds different when you're high up in the mountains. You can really hear the music clearly.

They were out of sight. As I plodded down the trail, getting ready to cry, I made out the silhouette of the sled and I hurried because I knew they could start again.