Sandpoint Magazine Winter 2002 Sandpoint Magazine Winter 2002
Sandpoint Magazine

Sandpoint Magazine Winter 2002

Subscribe to Sandpoint Magazine

Alpacas, such as these ones from local breeder Eagle Valley Alpacas, are no longer allowed to be imported from South America. Photo by Trish Gannon.
A new sort of breed?

The Sandpoint area is known for all sorts of animals – wild and domestic – so it’s not surprising to drive down the road and see, grazing in the fields, alpaca. This unusual looking animal is prized for its gentle temperament, ease of care and earth-friendly lifestyle – not to mention its wool.

That wool is part of the reason why three ranches in the Sandpoint area raise them: Eagle Valley Alpacas, Lakeview Fiber Ranch and Snowmass Alpacas. Native to Peru, Bolivia and Chile, alpacas are much smaller than the similar llama, standing only 3 feet at the withers on average. The huacaya alpaca, the predominant U.S. breed, has a dense, thick and crimpy coat that comes in 22 basic colors with dozens of variations. They’re said to resemble a teddy bear when in full coat.

Sheared annually, alpaca wool is classified as a rare, specialty fiber that is five times warmer than sheep’s wool and more luxurious than cashmere, and is growing in popularity.

– Trish Gannon

Summer 2002

The entire contents of this site are COPYRIGHT © Keokee Co. Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.