, 1925-02-08
tBY MIR. & MRS. LEON G. GOOD
RIOn

NOou, water hHu kla1ss Nne
three things the pioneers looked
for when choosing a camp site, are
not considered essential by the mod.
camper. since the automobile has
made 1t possible for him to dis
regard all three. As long as he
has plenty of gasoline, he can carry
fuel in various ways. such as canned
heat. gasoline stoves, water in can
vas bags or Thernos bottles. and
the only use he has for grass is for
scenery.
We learned last summer. during
a two weeks trip with pack horses,
that to any one who really desires
to get back to nature, these things
are Of as vital importance now as
they were so years ago.
BY we, I mean Troop 2 B. s. A
or rather the ones OF the troop who
enjoyed this trip which was taken
during August. 1924.
We had considered e trip Of this
kind for some time but had never
been able to arrange for horses. for
we did not feel able to buy them and
could not find any for hire.
Thanks to the generosity Of Elk
Governor Carey. who kindly loaned
US six horses to use as long as we
wished, our trip was made possible
and we chose August II. 1924 for
the beginning of our hike.
The two weeks previous to this
had been busy ones During that
time some of the boys made three
pack saddles. The amount of bed
ding and personal effects each one
was to take was decided on. and
most important of all, after n great
satisfactory grub list was made out
and the supplies finally purchased.
Since we did not know whether
or not we would be able TO buS any
thing after we left Casper. our list
had to include everything we would
need during our two weeks trip.
Naturally this made 1t impossible
to take anything perishable and as
all food had to be packed on horses
the weight was an important item.
so Il really took study to work out
a practical list.
These considerations LIMITED our
choice but from our store of sup
plies which consisted of beans, mac
aroni. rice, ham, bacon. cheese. corn
meal. pancake flour. syrup, dried
fruit. jam. powdered milk and a
few cans Of vegetables we prepared
some very good meals. OF course,
we had such staples as coffee. sugar,
salt ste. and also had a supply OF
, sweet chocolate and chewing gum.
The chocolate was used for lunches
when we were hiking.
Besides the three pack saddles and
two pairs of paniers which belonged
to US, we borrowed two saddles and
one pair OF painters from Mr.. Frank
Taylor.
An advance party had taken the
saddles, beds and grub to Camp
rived there Sunday. we found very
thing waiting. except the horses
and these were to be brought 10
camp Monday morning.
After the packs were inspected.
everyone was at liberty to amuse
himself and our boys visited the
Scouts who were enjoying their out
ing at summer camp.
Monday morning we were all up
bright and early. While we waited
for the horses, the beds were rolled
and the grub packed IN the paniers.
We found there is quite an art
to packing ~paniers. since each one
of the pair must contain as nearly
the same weight as possible. II one
is I've weighted. after. a short dis
lance. you are apt to find your
pack is under the horses belly.
After a few days. we became
quite expert at packing and had
little trouble balancing the paniers.
About $50 the six horses were
driven in by Riley. Gov. Carey's
foreman. He. with Governor and
Mrs. Carey. gave us a great deal
Of help with our packing.
The horses wern retired "top"
horses and no doubt had expected
10 enjoy n we'll earned leisure In
stead OF carrying packs for Boy
Scouts,
Sone Of them had ever been
packed before so we expected to
have some excitement. but they
submitted TO their loads very quietly.
Three horses carried paniers. two
pairs of.which wore filled with food.
and the other held cooking utensils,
As this set was light. a bed was put
over the paniers.
= This other three horses carried
beds and since we had only five
saddles. nj horse. a pinto named
Paint. had a bed roll tied on with
a squaw hitch. The other beds were
secured by the well known diamond
hitch, and that the boys became