Kitabı oku: «Packing and Portaging», sayfa 5

THE ONE-MAN OR LIFTING HITCH

This is a pretty good hitch sometimes where kyacks are not used and an irregular pack is swung upon the crosstree. While it holds the pack very securely to the animal's back, its tendency is to lift the corners that might cause friction upon the horse's sides.

Standing on the near side of the horse, throw cinch over the horse's back, pick up cinch and engage rope upon cinch hook, from in out, as in previous hitches. Take up slack, bring running rope up side of pack, double and thrust loop or bight under standing rope from rear forward at top of pack, to hold slack. Throw all loose rope to off side, and pass around to off side yourself.

(Fig. 1.)

A—Cinch

C—Standing rope

B—Cinch hook

D—Running rope

E—Front rope

F—Marker

Lifting Hitch

(Fig. 2.) Grasp loop A in left hand and with right jam rope C C along and under rope B (where latter passes beneath corner of pack) to D, as shown in Fig. 3.

(Fig. 3.) Off side of hitch completed.

Lifting Hitch

(Fig. 4.) Hitch formed ready to tighten.

Draw loose end of running rope forward and from under standing rope at top of pack. The effect of operations thus far is this: The running rope passes up the near side, from hook and to top of load and passes under standing rope, which will serve effectually in final tightening of cinch to hold slack.

Pass end of running rope over and under the forward end of off pack and backward under standing rope and pack. Now bring the rope forward over side of pack, double, and thrust the doubled portion over and under forward rope in a bight. With left hand grasp double of rope at bight just to rear of forward rope where it passes over and under forward rope, and with right hand slip running rope down and just to rear of standing rope. Take up slack. By pulling hard upon loose end of running rope the ends of pack will be lifted slightly.

Throw loose end over horse to near side, and across middle of load. Pass to near side and manipulate rope as on off side. Tighten load. Secure the hitch by bringing loose end of rope over and under forward running and standing ropes, and tie.

STIRRUP HITCH

This hitch is useful where the packer has lash rope but no cinch, and may be employed on sawbuck saddle, aparejo, or where the load is hung upon an ordinary riding saddle. It is a two-man hitch, though one man may manipulate it.

(Fig. 1.) Rope is thrown across load with equal portion falling on each side. Loop A is formed on top of load, and the ends BB are passed through it to form large loops C and D.

Stirrup Hitch

(Fig. 2.) Loops C and D are passed under horse's belly and seized by packers on opposite sides. Each packer then draws end of rope which he is holding through loop which has been passed to him. Off packer forms bowline knot, E, and near packer passes his end of rope through this. Hitch is now ready to tighten.

Pass the rope over the load, with an equal

division of rope on either side. Form a loop at center and top of load. Each packer will now place a foot upon the rope, where it falls from loop to ground, and pass his end of rope through loop from above down and draw through slack rope. This forms a loop on either side in which the foot rests. Each packer will now bring forward and under the horse's belly the loop in which his foot rests, passing the loop to the other packer at the same time disengaging his foot, and will pass the loose end of rope which he holds through the loop which he receives. The ropes on top of pack will now be spread to properly cover and secure the pack, and all slack taken.

The off side packer now forms a bowline knot in the loose end of his rope, the near side packer passes his loose end through the bowline loop. To tighten the load the off side packer gives slack, while the near side packer braces and draws in on loose end of rope, tying at bowline loop to secure load.

THE SADDLE HITCH

Saddle Hitch

With rope arranged as shown throw deer across saddle, enlarge loops A and B around haunches and neck. Bring ends C and D together, form bowline knot on end D, pass end C through it and tighten.

This is a particularly useful hitch when it becomes necessary to sling a deer to a riding saddle for transportation to camp.

Throw the lash rope across the saddle seat, an equal division of rope falling to either side. Double the rope where it crosses the cinch ring and thrust it through the cinch ring in a loop, drawing through enough loose rope to form a good-sized loop. This should be done on both sides. Lay the deer across saddle, with head hanging on one side and haunches on the other side, slip loop on one side over the deer's head, and the loop on the other side over its haunches. Take in all slack. Form a bowline loop on end of off side rope, and lay it on top of load. This loop should be so adjusted as to reach the middle of the top of load. Passing to near side, thread loose end of near side rope through the bowline loop. Tighten load by pulling on loose end, and tie.

HOW TO PACK A SICK OR INJURED MAN

Sometimes it occurs that a member of a party is so injured or becomes so ill as to be helpless, and the problem of transporting him upon horseback presents itself. This may be done in the following manner upon a crosstree or sawbuck saddle:

Cut two straight sticks three feet long and about three inches in diameter. Fit one on either side of saddle snug against the forks. Lash securely to forks forward and rear, with ends of sticks protruding an equal distance forward of and back of forward and rear forks. It may be well to cut shallow notches in the sticks where they rest against the forks. This will preclude lateral motion.

Cut two sticks two feet long and three inches in diameter. Place one in front and one in rear at right angles to and across top of sticks already in position. These cross-pieces are to be lashed to position one about two inches from forward ends, the other two inches from rear ends of lengthwise sticks. Before lashing them into position cut notches to receive lash ropes at points of intersection, that any tendency to slip or work loose may be overcome.

Now cut two poles six feet long and three inches in diameter. Spread a pack cloth upon the ground, and presuming the pack cloth is six feet wide, place a pole on each outer end of it. Roll poles, with pack cloth, to center until there is a width of twenty inches between the outer edges of poles. In this position lace cloth to each pole, or if horseshoe or other nails are handy, nail it to poles. Should the cloth be wider than length of poles, fold in a margin on each end, before rolling. Place litter on cross-pieces, the flat of canvas on top. Notch, and secure poles of stretcher at front and rear to cross-pieces. Lash down litter by means of the stirrup hitch.

CHAPTER XII
TRAVELING WITHOUT A PACK HORSE

THE man who travels without a pack horse, and carries his full equipment and provision supply upon his saddle must, of necessity, deny himself many things that under ordinary circumstances are deemed essentials. He must indeed travel light, and unless he is well inured to roughing it will be content to confine his activities to the warmer and less inclement months.

The food supply is the first consideration, but nowadays one is certain to come every three or four days at the outside upon some point where fresh supplies may be purchased. Therefore, twelve to fifteen pounds of provisions, carefully selected from the ration already suggested, will meet the utmost needs. In selecting the ration it is well to eliminate all luxuries. It may also be said that canned goods are too heavy, where one is to pack more than a two-days' supply, and bacon should be made the basis of the meat diet. But then we are considering methods of packing and carrying, rather than check lists. Limiting the quantity to fifteen pounds for a five-days' trip—and this is ample with judicious selection—the individual will be left to decide his ration for himself.

Saddle bags will be found indispensable and in them will be ample room to carry the limited toilet articles required, a hand towel, one change of light woolen or summer underwear, matches, tobacco and rifle cartridges. The best shelter is a lean-to tent, made of extra light cloth. This should be about seven feet long, four and one-half feet high and four feet deep. Such a tent will weigh about three pounds.

The cooking outfit will be limited to essentials. If it can be had an aluminum army or "Preston" mess kit, either of which weighs about two pounds, a sheath knife with broad blade, and a pint cup, will fill all requirements. If the mess kit cannot be procured, a small frying pan with folding handle, an aluminum or enamel plate and a dessert spoon with sheath knife, and a pint cup, will do nearly as well. In this latter case coffee may be made in the cup. A small canteen, which may be hung upon the saddle horn, should also be provided.

A small belt axe that weighs about two pounds, with sheath, a lariat and a few feet of rope will be required.

A single blanket or a pair of light blankets not exceeding five pounds in weight will constitute the only bedding that can be conveniently carried.

To pack the outfit spread tent flat upon the ground, turning the triangular ends in to lie flat. Fold the tent once, end for end. This will make a rectangular pack cloth three and one-half feet long and about five and one-half feet wide. Fold your blanket to a size a little smaller than tent and spread it flat upon the tent. Arrange your provision packages on the blanket a foot or so from one end and with a margin of a foot or more on either side. Fold the end of blanket and tent up and over the packages and roll up blanket and tent together with a band close to the knob in center to hold the packages in place and prevent their working down toward ends of roll.

The provisions should be thoroughly protected in bags, as previously suggested, in order that they may not soil the blanket.

Place the roll directly behind saddle seat with the bulge caused by the provision bulk resting against saddle seat, the end of roll falling on either side, and tie in position by means of leather tie strings attached to saddle on each side. The tie should be made in both cases just below the bulge in roll.

The tent will protect blanket and provisions, and if judgment has been used in the selection and arrangement of provisions the bulk should not be unduly or inconveniently large. The cooking kit, if enclosed in a canvas case with handle, may be lashed to roll by passing lash string through the handle and over the top and around the kit. A strap above the upper loop of the rifle boot and through the belt loop on the axe scabbard will hold the axe and another buckled around the rifle boot and lower end of handle will prevent a slapping motion of the handle.

The poncho, neatly rolled, may be carried on the pommel, the center of the roll pressed against the back of the horn, the ends drawn down and forward of the pommel on either side and secured with the leathern tie strings attached to the saddle. When not in use sweater or Pontiac shirt may be carried with the poncho.

The horse may be picketed with the lariat. Hobbles may be made as cowboys make them from rope. A strand unraveled from half-inch rope brought once around one leg, twisted rather tightly, the ends brought around the other leg and secured in the twist between the legs, makes a good hobble. Always fasten picket rope or hobble below the fetlock just above the hoof—never above the fetlock.

The outfit here outlined will weigh, including rifle and a reasonable amount of ammunition, from forty to forty-five pounds at the utmost, and one may be very comfortable with it. If game and fish can be caught and are to be depended upon, the provisions may be cut down to a little flour, bacon, coffee and sugar, and the traveler may tarry in the wilderness for a considerable time.

One may leave out the tent, and in a warm climate even the blanket, relying for shelter wholly upon the poncho. An experienced man will often limit his cooking outfit to a cup and canteen. A good strong reliable horse, a good saddle equipment, and enough plain food is all one really needs who has experience in wilderness travel. Such a man can make himself comfortable with exceedingly little.

CHAPTER XIII
AFOOT IN SUMMER

ON the portage one may carry a pretty heavy pack and think nothing of it, for the end of the portage and the relaxation of the paddle is just ahead. The portage is merely an incident of the canoe trip.

The foot traveler, however, has no canoe to carry him and his outfit five or ten miles for every mile he carries his outfit. He must carry both himself and his outfit the entire distance traversed. This is obvious, and it leads to the conclusion that the outfit must be accordingly reduced both in weight and bulk.

How heavy a load may be easily transported depends, of course, upon the man, but it is safe to say that the inexperienced will find twenty-five pounds a heavy enough burden, and within this limit must be included shelter, bed, and one week's provisions; though ordinarily the tramper will be able to renew his supply of provisions almost daily.

Under all ordinary circumstances a single woolen blanket weighing not to exceed three pounds will be found ample summer bedding. A lean-to shelter tent seven feet long, four feet wide and four feet high of one of the light tenting materials previously described, weighs less than three pounds and furnishes ample and comfortable shelter. Blanket and tent may be carried easily in a roll, the tent on the outside to protect the blanket.

To make the roll spread the tent upon the ground, fold the blanket once, end for end, and spread it upon the tent, the sides of the blanket (not folded ends) toward the ends of the tent. Fold in ends of tent over blanket and roll up. Double the roll and tie together a little above the ends with a stout string. The roll, dropped over the head with center resting upon one shoulder and the tied ends coming together near the hip on the opposite side, may be carried with little inconvenience. Blankets are usually seventy-two inches wide, therefore the roll should be about six feet in length before it is doubled and the ends tied.

A belt axe will be carried, in a sheath, upon the belt, the remaining equipment and provisions in a Nessmuk pack or a ruck sack. The Nessmuk pack, sold by most outfitters, is about 12 × 20 × 5 inches in size and made of waterproofed canvas. This will easily hold a nine-inch frying pan with folding handle, an aluminum pan 7 × 3 inches with folding handle, a pint cup (if you do not wish to carry the cup on your belt), a spoon or two, a cooking knife, a dish cloth and a dish towel, together with one week's provisions, matches, etc. There will still be room for a small bag containing the few needed toilet articles and hand towel, and another small bag containing one change of light-weight woolen underwear and two pairs of socks.

The cooking outfit indicated is limited, but quite ample. I have done very well for weeks at a time with no other cooking utensils than a pint cup and a sheath knife. But here we cannot go into woodcraft or extreme concentration of rations and outfit. We are considering, rather, comfortable or moderately comfortable outfits and how to pack or transport them.

Tent, blanket, axe, food and other equipment above suggested will, if intelligently selected, not go beyond the twenty-five pound limit. The greatest weight will be in the food, and each day will reduce this about two pounds. If provisions can be purchased from day to day these, of course, need not be carried, and the remaining load will be very light indeed.

I would suggest that a light sweater take the place of a coat as it will be found more comfortable and useful and may be carried on top of the pack or in the blanket roll, for it will rarely be worn save in the evening camp.

A broad-brimmed felt hat, an outer shirt of medium-weight flannel, khaki trousers and strong but not too heavy shoes make a practical and comfortable costume. Woolen socks protect the feet from chafing. Some campers like long German stockings, which serve also for leggings, and wear thin cotton socks inside them. In selecting shoes take into consideration the kind of socks or stockings to be worn, and see that the shoes are amply large though not too large, for shoes too large are nearly as uncomfortable as shoes too small.