Thoughts and questions on a recent article
Oct 23, 2012 10:31:19 GMT -7
Post by Leifer on Oct 23, 2012 10:31:19 GMT -7
First of all, many thanks to everyone's input when I asked about recommended publications. I subscribed to a handful of them, some I enjoyed reading more than others, and others seamed.....not quite what I was looking for. One that I have been enjoying and will continue to get is On The Trail.
In a recent issue there was an article called "18th Versus 21st Century". The author recounts his being badgered into attending an overnighter hiking trip with a guy that he knew. Apparently he was a nice guy who was a "one-upper". The author eventually relented and went along.
He recounts (with what I felt was an element of snarkiness) about how he packed light, bringing his haversack, painted cloth shelter, a blanket roll, leather canteen some basic 18th c. rations, a knife, fire kit, 12' hemp rope, a couple boilers, tin cup and a water purifier. The others apparently had nylon tents and sleeping bags, freeze dried food, white fuel stoves, etc.... And apparently this crew wasn't too proficient with the use of all this gear.
The author recounts how things went well for him while the rest of the crew had issues assembling everything and even couldn't get their fuel stove to work. That crew eventually gave up and used cold water to make their freeze dried food. The author, of course, had a small fire, boiling water and hot tea to drink along with his roasted meat and Gouda cheese. The rest of the crew apparently continues to experience miserable failures. The next day the crew makes it back, having been taught and shown things by the author and then the crew is given some back issues of On The Trail.
The author brings up some good points: Know how to use the gear that you have and plan to use. Not that it won't do you any good, but it's not going to do much good if you don't know how to use what you've got. My wife "knows" how to make fire with flint and steel. She's watched me do it many times, however, when she goes to do it....things don't work out so well. She tries so hard to make the sparks, but ends up obliterating the flint she's using. (I've since gotten her a few beefy chunks of flint that she can wail away on until she gets the nuance of the strike figured out.) Now, give that girl some decent sunlight and a lens and she'll get that fire going.
One of the guys in the crew was a former Boy Scout, however, as the author points out, there's a difference between having been in the Boy Scouts and being a seasoned Eagle Scout. (I'm the latter of the two) I was really hoping that guy was going to have more success.
Another point he brings out is that it's not always necessary to "have a bunch of stuff". He had an enjoyable time using 18th c. gear while the guys with the modern stuff had a heck of a time. (Referring back to point #1, the author knew how to use his gear, and had been doing so. I don't doubt the rest of the crew had been hiking or camping before, but that they weren't nearly as proficient."
I felt there was a bit of snarkiness in this article, but I couldn't help but smile a little either as you read about the issues the crew has. Here you have this 18th century "muzzleloader" fellow, using primitive gear and practices who is watching this group of "experts" have one issue after another. I supposed I'd smile a little too. I do appreciate how he does do a little teaching with the guys who seamed interested in what was going on. I think it's important to do that. I don't think a guy should rush in right away with a "Here's how this is 'sposed to be be done boys..." type of attitude however. Especially if asked in a situation like this I think it's important to take the opportunity to teach. I'm a bit biased, however, as I enjoying learning and am a teacher by trade.
So there's my thoughts and musings on the article, but I've got a few questions for you guys:
1. When you trek, primitive camp, rendezvous, do you bring your own water? If so, how do you bring it? Anyone bring a water purifier with them if you're getting the water from a river, brook or stream?
2. Anyone bring a first aid kit along with them?
3. What gear do you feel is the bare essentials that you always bring with you?
Leifer
In a recent issue there was an article called "18th Versus 21st Century". The author recounts his being badgered into attending an overnighter hiking trip with a guy that he knew. Apparently he was a nice guy who was a "one-upper". The author eventually relented and went along.
He recounts (with what I felt was an element of snarkiness) about how he packed light, bringing his haversack, painted cloth shelter, a blanket roll, leather canteen some basic 18th c. rations, a knife, fire kit, 12' hemp rope, a couple boilers, tin cup and a water purifier. The others apparently had nylon tents and sleeping bags, freeze dried food, white fuel stoves, etc.... And apparently this crew wasn't too proficient with the use of all this gear.
The author recounts how things went well for him while the rest of the crew had issues assembling everything and even couldn't get their fuel stove to work. That crew eventually gave up and used cold water to make their freeze dried food. The author, of course, had a small fire, boiling water and hot tea to drink along with his roasted meat and Gouda cheese. The rest of the crew apparently continues to experience miserable failures. The next day the crew makes it back, having been taught and shown things by the author and then the crew is given some back issues of On The Trail.
The author brings up some good points: Know how to use the gear that you have and plan to use. Not that it won't do you any good, but it's not going to do much good if you don't know how to use what you've got. My wife "knows" how to make fire with flint and steel. She's watched me do it many times, however, when she goes to do it....things don't work out so well. She tries so hard to make the sparks, but ends up obliterating the flint she's using. (I've since gotten her a few beefy chunks of flint that she can wail away on until she gets the nuance of the strike figured out.) Now, give that girl some decent sunlight and a lens and she'll get that fire going.
One of the guys in the crew was a former Boy Scout, however, as the author points out, there's a difference between having been in the Boy Scouts and being a seasoned Eagle Scout. (I'm the latter of the two) I was really hoping that guy was going to have more success.
Another point he brings out is that it's not always necessary to "have a bunch of stuff". He had an enjoyable time using 18th c. gear while the guys with the modern stuff had a heck of a time. (Referring back to point #1, the author knew how to use his gear, and had been doing so. I don't doubt the rest of the crew had been hiking or camping before, but that they weren't nearly as proficient."
I felt there was a bit of snarkiness in this article, but I couldn't help but smile a little either as you read about the issues the crew has. Here you have this 18th century "muzzleloader" fellow, using primitive gear and practices who is watching this group of "experts" have one issue after another. I supposed I'd smile a little too. I do appreciate how he does do a little teaching with the guys who seamed interested in what was going on. I think it's important to do that. I don't think a guy should rush in right away with a "Here's how this is 'sposed to be be done boys..." type of attitude however. Especially if asked in a situation like this I think it's important to take the opportunity to teach. I'm a bit biased, however, as I enjoying learning and am a teacher by trade.
So there's my thoughts and musings on the article, but I've got a few questions for you guys:
1. When you trek, primitive camp, rendezvous, do you bring your own water? If so, how do you bring it? Anyone bring a water purifier with them if you're getting the water from a river, brook or stream?
2. Anyone bring a first aid kit along with them?
3. What gear do you feel is the bare essentials that you always bring with you?
Leifer
