THE OUTLAW TRAIL RIDE – NEW MEXICO

Thanks for your kind interest in this exciting challenge benefiting a most important cause.

I'm hoping you not only share the love of horses and riding but you hanker to catch the spirit-of-the-West. Ride back in time in the footsteps of Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. For orientation check your atlas, you might find the Gila (pronounced heeler) Wilderness near Silver City.

It is an isolated location away from the metropolis, paradise for those seeking solitude, a 3.3 million acre forest in south-west New Mexico. The Gila's beauty is in it's diversity: rugged mountains, deep canyons, lush meadows and semi-desert. Elevations here range from 4,200 – 10,900 feet and cover four of the six life zones. Flora and fauna are diverse – ocotillo and cactus in the lowlands, juniper, pine, aspen and spruce-fir in the mountains. It is abundant with wildlife and birds for the keen-eyed traveller. Look for black bear, mountain lion, elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep and wild turkey in the forest – bald eagle, falcon and hawk are often seen soaring the skies.

Rich in history, the Gila embraces the Mogollon Indians, Apache, Spaniards, Mexicans, ranchers, miners, prospectors and of course, our outlaws who closed out with the West.

My treks are authentic horse adventures, no imitation, real McCoy rides, unlike ‘dude' ranch holidays or other advertized equine treks. You'll ride deep into pristine wilderness and capture an indescribable feeling of awe and wonder within a natural magnificence. See the country as Richard Adamson and I did, as we rode north to Canada on our epic five and a half month adventure in 1999 – an unbroken, ‘unsupported' long-ride which was an equine first.

The outlaws' routine was to wake early – maybe to the smell of sizzling bacon and hot coffee, eat, saddle your horse (help at hand) and prep the packtrain before heading out on the trail. We don't have a ‘plan' itemizing exactly where we'll be, step-by-step, hour-by-hour, day-by-day. We just ride, no fuss, like Butch and Sundance – taking what God gives us and there's no going back!

Here's the opportunity to lose your-self for a week and ride off the face of the earth! For some this might be a once in a lifetime adventure: to learn a little more about horses, the art of packing, equine management, the outlaws and yourself!

Please help exceed the minimum fundraising amount – the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund needs your support.

Look forward to riding with you …

Simon Casson