Packs... moving on foot

[isaac]

Hello all,

In an above thread (in the Campfire section) by Leifer on his spring camp, a discussion was started on packs used when moving on foot. I am just opening a thread on this subject so we can keep chatting without further derailing Leif's thread.

Basic thing... most mountaineers travelled on horse. At times, this was not the case, so what did they do for hauling gear. Also, many of us today do not have the luxury, time, ability, etc. to use horses all the time. So what do we do?

IW

[isaac]

Recap of the aforementioned conversation....

Old Solitair said,

Alright there Leif,,, I see you gave the manty way of packing a try! So how did it work for you? Pretty good isn't. Thanks for the share.
Your Obt. Sevt.
Bill

I responded...

As someone that travels often by foot, I am curious to know more about the "Manty" pack.

A quick search found me this...

The term “manty,” from the Spanish word for blanket, refers both to the canvas tarp (about seven-by-eight feet in size) and to the bundle that results from packing items within it. The verb describing this process is known as mantying.

Although you all carry the bundle different and with two straps, this is very similar to how we often carry our bedrolls. We often take our tarpaulin (if carrying one) and wrap gear in it. These bundles are especially common with us when hauling our goods in canoe, but also on foot. We then carry them with a simple tumpline.

IW

Here are some images that essentially show a "manty" used in the canoes and hauled on land with a tumpline...




On a dog travois...



Me carrying one on a tumpline with a cassette balanced on top (I have also done this with a second tumpline on the cassette if the terrain of the portage is more rugged).

Bill responded...

Yes, you are right Isaac. Manty is a covering for your pack load on a pack animal. (disclaimer: A nickname we gave it, no documentation of it called such) So when forced to be put afoot, it would make sense to use that skill and equipment that may be left after that Blackfoot raid, to make tracks right quick. Why build & carry a wood frame? I can break camp and be moving in under 10 minutes. I am sure if I pushed it maybe quicker? I travel light, 25 lbs. or so is my average weight or more, for 3 day adventures on the move. I did a 5 day solo with 36 pounds, same components, but carried different. Pack on my toboggan or animal the same.

Should take this topic to packs?
Your Obt. Sevt.
Bill

[isaac]

As for packframes...

I do not know of them in the RMFT, but this is not my main area of research either. They do not seem very common in the Great Lakes either, but there is some evidence of their use among some native peoples. I have seen Ojibwe, Seneca, and Cree frames with explanation of them. I have not used a packframe historically, but I can certainly see some advantages. I have thought of making something simple (along native lines) and using it for modern trapping to test out. here is a cool link with a long history (far reaching well beyond our interests) on packframes.... 74fdc.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/external-frame-backpacks-applying-the-old-ways-to-the-new-journeys/


Here is a cool native (eastern) quote... thanks to Michael Galban for alerting me to this...

"In carrying burdens they make use of a sort of frame, somewhat similar to what is commonly used by a glazier to carry glass; this is fastened by cords, or strips of tough bark or leather, round their shoulders, and when the load is fixed upon the broad ledge at the bottom of the frame, two bands are thrown round the whole, one of which is brought across the forehead, and the other across the breast, and thus the load is supported." - Isaac Weld

[isaac]

Ojibwe frame from Densmore...





Of course, I have not seen evidence of non-natives using these, and as said by Bill...  it is easier to manty up a pack and tote it than build a frame too.  Although, a frame in conjunction with a mantied pack would make for nice hauling???     Anyway, hauling gear is essential and of great interest to me.  If I am going light and for only a few days, my gear ways out at around 30-35 pounds.  I have gone lighter but also heavier depending on whether I am hauling trade goods, trapping equipment, or due to the season (I bring a little more in winter).  

IW

[Leifer]

Here's some pictures of the pack I put together at the end of the camp I posted about.

Gear in the middle of the groundcloth:


The gear mantied up:


Saddle straps added to the pack to be able to wear:


Wearing the pack:


The gear is packed up in a similar to fashion to what you would do if you were going to be packing gear on pack horses or mules. I probably should have packed it tighter and had the rope tighter, but I wasn't walking a huge distance so I wasn't overly worried. It was fairly comfortable to wear. I still need to do some tweaking with the straps yet in as far as how I weave the straps through the ropes. This is LOADS better than what I had been doing before. My thanks goes to Bill who introduced me to the idea.

Leifer

[isaac]

That is not too unlike how I wrap up my gear. If I am not hauling a tarp, I use a blanket of bison robe... Often on the longway not diagonal.

Here is a my gear from an outing this fall. It is wrapped in a robe. The middle is tied with the traces of my tumpline that go through the bundle. The pack is the tied similar to yours with a buffalo tug over top. Sorry for the bad photo (pack is obstructed).
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