Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#203586 - 10/29/19 05:38 PM Remember when? I don't
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
For our trip to Africa, we tried to find a few books to read. There were a couple that were really good, including "A Primate's Memoir" by Robert Sapolsky, and "Affluence without Abundance" by James Suzman. Both excellent.

But we also read that classic African adventure novel of the late 1800's, "King Solomon's Mines" by Rider Haggard. It was not excellent, but it did capture some of the colonial perceptions of the British Empire back then. It wasn't a pretty picture. But in the middle of the book, the heroes undertake a long cross-country hike that made us think of backpacking. Except they had a slightly different take on ultralight. In the book, five men start out on the journey cross the desert, each one carrying a load of forty pounds.

Here's the packing list for the group--described as traveling light!

3 express rifles and 200 rounds of ammunition.

2 Winchester rifles and 200 rounds

3 colt revolvers and 60 rounds

5 one gallon water bottles

5 blankets

25 pounds of Biltong (like jerky)

10 pounds mixed beads for trade a selection of medicines and surgical instruments

Knives, compass, matches, pocket filter, tobacco, a trowel and a bottle of brandy

Times have changed...
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#203588 - 10/29/19 05:51 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: balzaccom]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
I'm thinking someone didn't do the math on those "40-pound packs," either. I don't know how much those particular guns and ammunition weigh, but since they're each carrying a rifle and pistol, with 200 rounds for each, I've got to think that's twenty pounds per person right there. A gallon of water plus the bottle, that's probably another ten pounds. Five pounds of biltong each, two pounds of beads and such, and call it another five pounds of medical kit, knives, etc. The blanket would probably be wool for two pounds, and the pack itself would be, what, another seven pounds? Let's see, that's 51 pounds as I calculate it. They could save some weight by leaving the brandy, but that would be extremely foolhardy... smile

Top
#203589 - 10/29/19 08:23 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Glenn Roberts]
Petro1234 Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/16
Posts: 101
Loc: engeland
25 pounds of jerky 1 gallon of water and a bag weigh 40 glenn as far as i make out, maybe they mean 140lb packs ?

Top
#203590 - 10/29/19 10:14 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Petro1234]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
I was assuming that was the total load for all 5, so each would have 5 pounds of jerky, 1rifle, etc.

Top
#203592 - 10/30/19 02:44 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: balzaccom]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Maybe 40 lbs. plus all the "extras" listed? It has been too many years (maybe 65) since I read the book!

Anyway, have a good time in Africa (hopefully no fires there!) and be thankful you don't have to carry all that stuff!
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#203601 - 11/03/19 10:57 AM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Glenn Roberts]
Petro1234 Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/16
Posts: 101
Loc: engeland
Right you are glenn, but 5 pounds of biltong will not go too far in my opinion, little more than 2 days ration. 20 lbs pack water and food then

Top
#203605 - 11/03/19 06:23 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Petro1234]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
Soooo.... now we’re adding more food! (Or maybe that’s what the 200 rounds of ammo per person are for? I’m assuming the author didn’t specify they were great marksmen?)

Top
#203606 - 11/03/19 07:54 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Glenn Roberts]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
They were crack shots, apparently. But in the desert where there is no water, I'm not sure what they would have been shooting at...
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#203607 - 11/03/19 11:08 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: balzaccom]
aimless Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
We do all understand that King Solomon's Mines is not just fiction, but a fantasy-adventure book aimed mostly at adolescent boys who would never set foot in Africa - don't we? It is about as realistic as Ian Fleming's James Bond books.

Top
#203609 - 11/03/19 11:47 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: aimless]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
We do. But it also captures a lot of what people in England thought about Africa....and about expeditions. Clearly some of the concepts come from Stanley's journal about his search for Livingston, and Burton's book on finding the source of the Nile...
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#203611 - 11/04/19 12:55 AM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: aimless]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
I suppose that next you’re going to tell us Murphy Brown isn’t real! smile

Top
#203619 - 11/04/19 10:19 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Glenn Roberts]
Petro1234 Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/16
Posts: 101
Loc: engeland
Ok,ok Glenn, i do not think 200 rounds is a good hunting idea unless maybe a camel or 200 are emloyed in the carry :o). Unknown desert, itsthe only way to travel really.

Top
#203620 - 11/05/19 08:38 AM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Petro1234]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
I didn't figure you did. I've just been having fun, anyhow. Obviously, there was literary license taken (I'm thinking "Dan Brown.")

This thread just tickled my fancy, and I decided to try to be funny. (As in, "we needed a little humor, and I provided as little as anyone.") I did enjoy our little back-and-forth; I hope you did, too, and that I didn't offend anyone.

We've probably milked this for all it's worth. smile

Top
#203621 - 11/05/19 05:38 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: Glenn Roberts]
balzaccom Offline
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
No worries. I made the original post because I thought it would be fun...
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#203623 - 11/05/19 08:22 PM Re: Remember when? I don't [Re: balzaccom]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2207
Loc: Southwest Ohio
It was! smile

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
MSR Recall
by balzaccom
02/24/24 11:13 AM
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Yosemite Winter Rangers
by balzaccom
12/21/23 09:35 AM
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 65 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum