Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1898-01-26
HAWTHORNE ESMERALDA COUNTY, NEVADA, JANUARY


paraffined, to resist dampness. Do not
use oiled canvas, as the extreme cold.
ness causes 1t to crack, with consequent
loss OF the contents of the sack. This
Is true also of oiled clothing, sleeping
bags, etc. Plain canvas is better than
oiled, and paraffned better than plain.
A canvas tarpaulin is necessary asan
outfit cover, and this may also be fitted
up and used for sail. The canvas
sacks should be numbered and a list of
the contents OF each kept The owners
name should be plainly marked on
each. Such necessaries as matches,
candles, etc, should be distributed
throughout the sacks, so that loss of
portion of the outfit will not deprive
the owner OF these things. Put
matches in tin boxes. The camper
Will require II tent, SxIo or lcal2
being the usual sizes taken. Each
man should have canvas sleeping bag,
preferably paraffined, with hood to
draw over his head. He can have an
other heavy woolen sleeping bag to go
inside this, or use blankets, as he may
prefer. though there is more warmth
to the same weight in the sleeping bag.
As for clothing, the essentials are
mackinaw suits, heavy woolen under
wear and overshirts, heavy woolen
socks, woolen mitts and fleece lined
leather mitts, heavy leather boots, gum
boots, overalls, woolen cap, soft felt
hat and waterproof clothing sack. To
this equipment one may add whatever
he may think desirable, but these at
least are necessary. The question OF
footwear is an important one. Gum
boots are worn only while at work in
the water, either in claim or along
the trail Leather boots crack and are
easily ruined in the snow and cold.
The Indians make moccasin boot,
called "muckluok," which is the usual
footwear along the Yukon, but it will
of course be impossible for them to sup
ply the demand for them next year.
This renders it advisable for the gold
seeker to take at least one extra pair of
boots with him. The most desirable is
the style of boot worn by lumbermen.
There are numerous little things that
aiV hNNNsshih Paip Va ah NdbiPAbSiit.
Every man should have small kit of
shoemaker's tools and supplies also a
complete mending outfit for clothing,
toilet articles, ETC., all in case with
pockets, one that can be rolled up and
tied. A few yards of mosquito netting
are necessary, for mosquitoes are pest.
Goggles to protect the eyes from snow
l,ttn1pauc ipl
pencils, paper and government stamped
envelopes, both Canadian and United
States, should be taken. A few books
are worth their weight. Fishing
tackle and shot guns are likely to
prove of service, as the streams TEEN
with fish and waterfowl are extremely
abundant in summer. Traps are use
less, as all taking of animals for their
fur is done by Indians. A compass is
desirable, also snow calks for the feet.
For travel on the snow a Yukon sled is
needed. No matter by what route one
travels or how he expects to transport
his outfit, there will be times either on
the journey in or later when he will
have to pack supplies on his own back,
and he should be equipped for it. The
ordinary packing straps cut and gall the
shoulders and let the load lie like
dead weight on the small of the back
and the kindeys. There are various
devices for overcoming these troubles.
The best of them are the Merriam
pack, by which the weight is thrown
upon the hips, and the Yukon packing
frame, which places the weight on the
shoulders. Either is worth far more
than it costs to the man who has to
pack his outfit. In packing it is
great mistake to overdo oneself or to
carry load too far. The best plan is
to move -,e entire outfit along by short
stage and then to stop work before
completely exhausted. One should be
especially careful not to sit around
without coat when heated or to wear
wet clothing when not at work.
Every man going to Alaska should
take small supply of medicines
and surgical necessaries. These out
fits, both regular and homeopathic, may
be procured in specially prepared cases,
and cost about $40. He should also
understand the use of the remedies and
appliances.
Finally, the best advice of all is to
take only the best quality of every
thing, whether clothing. provisions or
utensils, and to procure them from ex-
perienced outfitters, who know just
what is wanted and how to pack it. 1t
is poor economy to save a cent or two a
pound on provisions and theh pay a
dollar pound to get this cheap food to
its destination.
These things can all be bought cheap
or and to better advantage at the outfit
ting points from which the steamers
sail than at any other place. 1t is both
economy and widsom to wait until the
final starting point is reached before
Quitting, as a perfect equipment, Sc
lected under the advice of reliable out
filters and properly packed, is half the
battle for success.
Miss Maud Parks of Lock Raven,