A WAY OF LIFE
Mountain Men today would have all the convenience of
luxury. They pack their camping goods into a vehicle
and trailer, and off to the rendezvous they go! Some
only traveling hours to get there.
By foot or horseback it would take days or weeks to
accomplish the grueling task! The mountain men only
had what they needed to survive, or what they could
carry. They were in search of the valley full of prime
beaver, which every trapper dreamed of.
A Trappers equipment, or plunder, is generally one or
two animals. Upon one is placed...a pack, containing
six beaver traps, a blanket with an extra pair of
moccasins, his powder horn and bullet pouch, with a belt
to which is attached a butcher Knife, a small wooden box
containing bait for beaver. A tobacco sack with a pipe
and implements for making fire with, sometimes a
hatchet, or tomahawk. A fry pan and a corn boiler for
cooking. IF he had more than one animal he would have
the ease of transportation, otherwise it was by foot.
His personal dress is a flannel or cotton drop sleeve
shirt (if he is fortunate to have one, if not antelope or
elk skin answers the purpose of over and under shirt), a
pair of leather breeches with a blanket or smoked buffalo
skin, leggings, a coat made of blanket or buffalo robe.
A beaver or felt hat, or a cap of wool, buffalo or otter
skin, with his long hair falling over his shoulders. His
socks are pieces of blanket wrapped around his feet
which are covered with a pair of moccasins made of
dressed deer, elk or buffalo skins.
He would always carry his loaded rifle across his arm or
shoulder, or at least have it within reach at all times. If
by luck he would also have a pistol and a knife in his
belt strap. Strapped over his shoulder was his possibles
bag, which may contain several small items needed to
work with. Basic tools needed for emergencies and
maintenance, like a pick or an awl, some kind of
hammer, a screwdriver, trinkets and trade goods, and
what ever else he could POSSIBLY get in the bag.
They lived completely off the land, eating a diet of
buffalo, elk, and mountain goat, occasionally coming
across wild berries. They roamed constantly, covering
hundreds of miles in search of beaver pelts, which were
very valuable. They could trade a beaver pelt for
anything they needed; yet they didn’t need much.
Mountain men had to deal with many hardships. They
lived exciting lives, but it was never easy. Mountain
men slept right on the ground. Freezing winters were
spent in a drafty tipi, if he was "in good" with the local
natives.
luxury. They pack their camping goods into a vehicle
and trailer, and off to the rendezvous they go! Some
only traveling hours to get there.
By foot or horseback it would take days or weeks to
accomplish the grueling task! The mountain men only
had what they needed to survive, or what they could
carry. They were in search of the valley full of prime
beaver, which every trapper dreamed of.
A Trappers equipment, or plunder, is generally one or
two animals. Upon one is placed...a pack, containing
six beaver traps, a blanket with an extra pair of
moccasins, his powder horn and bullet pouch, with a belt
to which is attached a butcher Knife, a small wooden box
containing bait for beaver. A tobacco sack with a pipe
and implements for making fire with, sometimes a
hatchet, or tomahawk. A fry pan and a corn boiler for
cooking. IF he had more than one animal he would have
the ease of transportation, otherwise it was by foot.
His personal dress is a flannel or cotton drop sleeve
shirt (if he is fortunate to have one, if not antelope or
elk skin answers the purpose of over and under shirt), a
pair of leather breeches with a blanket or smoked buffalo
skin, leggings, a coat made of blanket or buffalo robe.
A beaver or felt hat, or a cap of wool, buffalo or otter
skin, with his long hair falling over his shoulders. His
socks are pieces of blanket wrapped around his feet
which are covered with a pair of moccasins made of
dressed deer, elk or buffalo skins.
He would always carry his loaded rifle across his arm or
shoulder, or at least have it within reach at all times. If
by luck he would also have a pistol and a knife in his
belt strap. Strapped over his shoulder was his possibles
bag, which may contain several small items needed to
work with. Basic tools needed for emergencies and
maintenance, like a pick or an awl, some kind of
hammer, a screwdriver, trinkets and trade goods, and
what ever else he could POSSIBLY get in the bag.
They lived completely off the land, eating a diet of
buffalo, elk, and mountain goat, occasionally coming
across wild berries. They roamed constantly, covering
hundreds of miles in search of beaver pelts, which were
very valuable. They could trade a beaver pelt for
anything they needed; yet they didn’t need much.
Mountain men had to deal with many hardships. They
lived exciting lives, but it was never easy. Mountain
men slept right on the ground. Freezing winters were
spent in a drafty tipi, if he was "in good" with the local
natives.