That photo in the header? That's Jim Wells, World Champion Mule Packer.

A father and a daughter came to a Boldly Went Show together, put their names in the hat, and they were both selected. Turns out, it was both of their first times hearing the story from the other. Jim tells about his "best job in the world" as a horse back riding ranger in Sequoia National Park, and how he reacts when you cut switchbacks. Janessa tells about her first experience with running the Elkhorn Crest 50+ miler.

Storytellers: Jim Wells and Janessa Wells

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Jim and Janessa on a father-daughter cycling trip.

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Jim Wells: "I had the best job in the world."

Jim won the ‘World Champion Mule Packer’ title in 1975, 1977, and 1979, and was the first person to win three times. The competition has been taking place at Bishop Mule Days annually on Memorial Day since 1969 in Bishop, CA . The website says, it is part mule show, part test of skills, and part Wild West show. If you’re curious, like I was, about how a person wins a mule packing competition, it sounds pretty straight forward. You need the fastest cumulative time in a series of 4 competitions to be crowned the ‘World Champion.’
The contests were: 

1. Mule shoeing for quality
2. Tying the diamond hitch
3. Tying the box hitch, and
4. A Packing contest where the contestant was given loads which they need to pack up, mount on their horse then lead the mules a ways to the finish line.  The fastest time won, and the loads had to be judged ‘trail worthy’.

Jim, an experienced mule packer in the Sierras for the 12 previous years says he taught himself to pack fast and well. He showed up at Mule Days having no idea about what a contest was. He borrowed stock and equipment from other folks there in order to compete. He was delighted to have taken home the Title of World Champion. Good on ya, Jim!

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Janessa Wells: First 50 miler

• Run like Janessa: Elkhorn Crest 50 miler
• Do yoga with Janessa​
• Read Janessa's Blog: Redress Your Stress

I started balling a little heavier at that point in time realizing that it was still another 5 miles to the finish line which seems like longer than the previous 48 miles of the entire day. ​

Janessa Wells crossing the finish line at Elkhorn Crest 50 miler

Janessa Wells

Janessa Wells snowshoeing

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Music: Free Music Archive

Ryan Little. West Coast.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith.Stubborn ole mule.
Squire Tuck. Song of Hope in a Word Without Care.
Squire Tuck. The Thought of You.
Squire Tuck. Ukulele Rising.
Squire Tuck. Fait Accompli.
Ryan Little. Stuck.

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