Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

PACKS FOR PEDESTRIANS 125chat holds half a bushel can be rolled up and tuckedinto the pocket of a hunting coat. When filledwith spare clothing and such other articles as wouldbe carried by one who went afoot through wellsettled districts and put up for the night at inns orfarmhouses, the weight of such a pack is hardlynoticeable. On the hike, one's coat or cape, rolledup, may be carried under the flap. The plain rucksack,w^ithout flap, is easy to get into, since all youhave to do is to pull one end of the puckering cordand the bag is wide open : this makes it handy as agame bag. The w^eight, being carried low and tightagainst the body, does not tend to overbalance onein difficult climbing—a point of consequence tomountaineers.But the rucksack is a poordevice for carrying such a kitas is required by one whosleeps out and totes his bedand shelter with him. Itscontents bunch up into arounded lump (see Fig. 27),and heavy articles work tothe bottom. Everything getsjumbled up. Worse still, the*pack "rides" so low that itpresses hard against the smallof the back, which is theworst of all places to put astrain on.27.—Rucksackin UseI tried out the rucksack thoroughly, years ago,It is a good contrivance for carrying the day's necesisities when you are reasonably sure of reaching ahouse or camp at night, being never in the waylike a haversack or blanket-roll, yet more capacious.The one illustrated in Fig. 25, made of thin brownwaterproof canvas, 21 inches wide by 22 inches high,weighs 12 ounces. Another outfitter supplies one ofabout the same size, in waterproofed olive-drab cloth,with an outside pocket, that weighs only 9 ounces.One of these is an excellent carrier ior a ieathep