Yellowknife
WKR
I'm currently reading a rather famous book by a woodsman called Horace Kephart, first published in 1906. It's called "Camping and Woodcraft" and consists of bits of wisdom about backpack camping and hunting long before it was a cool sport. I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and am constantly amazed how closely many of his chapters mirror the articles on this very site. Change a few words and substitute some color photos and they could pass for an Aron Snyder piece. A very large percentage of his commentary and advise is still completely relevant today.
He does dive into a controversial piece when he gets into the puffy vs softshell debate though. I'm pretty sure he comes down on the side of the puffy + hardshell.
Really just good general advise about layering.
“A heavy coat is a nuisance in the woods….. for the later purpose a heavy jersey or sweater is much better, besides being more comfortable to sleep in, and easier to dry out. The objections to a sweater are that it is easily torn or picked out by brush…. But if a coat of thin very closely woven kahaki, “duxback”, or gabardine large enough to wear over the sweater, is taken along, the perfection in all kinds of weather is attained. Such a coat is rain-proof, sheds burs…. With the above combination one is fixed for any kind of weather. On hot days his overshirt and trousers will be all the outer clothing he will want; if it threatens rain, he will add the coat; mornings and evenings, or on cold dry days he will substitute the sweater; and when it is both cold and windy, or cold and wet, all three will be worn…..
To combine the two into once garment would defeat the purpose, for it would be clumsy and would not dry out quickly. A free outlet for the moisture from the body, or a thick absorbent of it that can be taken off and dried out quickly, is a prime essential of health and comfort in all climates.”
- Horace Kephart, 1906
He has numerous other comments on layering and clothing selection for backpack camping, but suffice to say he would have zero issues with the kind of kit we carry today. He was also no less obsessed with weight and gear selection, and highly recommended the use of a set of sensitive scales when putting together a kit.
"A pairs of scales is a good thing to have on hand when one is making up his packs.... He will note how the little unconsidered trifles mount up; how every bag and tin adds weight"
And likely my favorite gear quote:
"An old campaigner is known by the simplicity and fitness of his equipment. He carries few impediments, but every article has been well tested and is the best that his purse can afford"
Highly recommended read, particularly for those new to backpack hunting. Available as a free ebook from Google Books or other sources.
Yk
He does dive into a controversial piece when he gets into the puffy vs softshell debate though. I'm pretty sure he comes down on the side of the puffy + hardshell.
Really just good general advise about layering.“A heavy coat is a nuisance in the woods….. for the later purpose a heavy jersey or sweater is much better, besides being more comfortable to sleep in, and easier to dry out. The objections to a sweater are that it is easily torn or picked out by brush…. But if a coat of thin very closely woven kahaki, “duxback”, or gabardine large enough to wear over the sweater, is taken along, the perfection in all kinds of weather is attained. Such a coat is rain-proof, sheds burs…. With the above combination one is fixed for any kind of weather. On hot days his overshirt and trousers will be all the outer clothing he will want; if it threatens rain, he will add the coat; mornings and evenings, or on cold dry days he will substitute the sweater; and when it is both cold and windy, or cold and wet, all three will be worn…..
To combine the two into once garment would defeat the purpose, for it would be clumsy and would not dry out quickly. A free outlet for the moisture from the body, or a thick absorbent of it that can be taken off and dried out quickly, is a prime essential of health and comfort in all climates.”
- Horace Kephart, 1906
He has numerous other comments on layering and clothing selection for backpack camping, but suffice to say he would have zero issues with the kind of kit we carry today. He was also no less obsessed with weight and gear selection, and highly recommended the use of a set of sensitive scales when putting together a kit.
"A pairs of scales is a good thing to have on hand when one is making up his packs.... He will note how the little unconsidered trifles mount up; how every bag and tin adds weight"
And likely my favorite gear quote:
"An old campaigner is known by the simplicity and fitness of his equipment. He carries few impediments, but every article has been well tested and is the best that his purse can afford"
Highly recommended read, particularly for those new to backpack hunting. Available as a free ebook from Google Books or other sources.
Yk
