The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-01-08

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paraffined, TO resist dampness. Do not
use oiled canvas, as the extreme cold
ness causes it 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 paraffined better than plain.
A canvas tarpaulin is necessary as an
outfit cover, and this may also be fitted
up and used for a sail The canvas
sacks should be numbered and 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
a portion of the outfit will not deprive
the owner of these things. Put
matches in tin boxes. The camper
will require a tent, Sx1O or 1Ox12
being the usual sizes taken. Each
man should have a canvas sleeping bag,
preferably paraffined, with hood to
draw over his head. He can have an
other heavy WOODEN 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 wooden under
wear and overshirts, heavy wooden
socks, wooden mtts and fleece lined
leather mitts, heavy leather boots, gum
boots, overalls, WOODEN cap, soft felt
hat and a 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 a claim or along
the trail Leather boots crack and are
easily ruined in the snow and cold.
The Indians make moccasin boot.
called "muckluck, 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
are necessary part Of an equipment.
Every man should have small kit of
shoemaker's tools and supplies. also a
mendng 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
blindness are necessary. Pens, ink,
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
ess' as all taking of animals for their
'ur is done by Indians. A COMPASS is
ieslrable, also snow calks for the feet.
For travel on the snow Yukon sled is
needed. No matter by what route one
ravels or how he expects to transport
lis outfit, there will be times either on
he journey in or later when he will
AVE to pack supplies on his own back,
md he should be equipped for it. The
ordinary packing straps cut and gall the
houlders and let the load lie like
lead weight ON the small of the back
ma the kindeys. There are various 4
levices for overcoming these troubles.
the best of them are the Merriam
Jack, by which the weight is thrown
lpon the hips, and the Yukon packing
rame, which places the weight on the
houlders. Either is worth far more
nan 1t costs to the man who has 10
JACK his outfit. In packing it is
reat mistake to overdo oneself or to
AIRY load too far. The best plan is
move the entire outfit along by short
tages, and then to stop work before
exhausted. One should be
specially careful not to sit around
'lthout coat when heated or to wear
'et clothing when not at work.
Every man going to Alaska should
IKE small supply of medicines
nd surgical necessaries. These ont
is, both regular and homeopathic, NAV
e procured in specially prepared cases
nd cost about $40. He should also
Understand the use of the remedies and
ppliances.
flhally, the best advice of all is tox
Ike only the best quality of every
ing, whether clothing. provisions or
Lenslls, and to procure them from ex-
srlenced outfitters, who know Just
hat Is wanted and how to pack it, 1t
poor economy to save cent or two
'mnd on provisions and theh pay
'llar a pound to get this cheap food to
3 destination.
These things can all be bought cheap