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Packing a load 100 years ago

PostPosted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:44 pm
by balzaccom
For our trip to Africa, we tried to find a few books to read. There were a couple that were really good, including "A Primate's Memoir" by Robert Sapolsky, and "Affluence without Abundance" by James Suzman. Both excellent.

But we also read that classic African adventure novel of the late 1800's, "King Solomon's Mines" by Rider Haggard. It was not excellent, but it did capture some of the colonial perceptions of the British Empire back then. It wasn't a pretty picture. But in the middle of the book, the heroes undertake a long cross-country hike that made us think of backpacking. Except they had a slightly different take on ultralight. In the book, five men start out on the journey cross the desert, each one carrying a load of forty pounds.

Here's the packing list for the group--described as traveling light!

3 express rifles and 200 rounds of ammunition.

2 Winchester rifles and 200 rounds

3 colt revolvers and 60 rounds

5 one gallon water bottles

5 blankets

25 pounds of Biltong (like jerky)

10 pounds mixed beads for trade a selection of medicines and surgical instruments

Knives, compass, matches, pocket filter, tobacco, a trowel and a bottle of brandy

Times have changed...

Re: Packing a load 100 years ago

PostPosted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:18 pm
by WanderingJim
Funny, that was exactly what i took on my Kilimanjaro trek two weeks ago. :)

Re: Packing a load 100 years ago

PostPosted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 1:10 am
by Phil
....I usually keep that in the trunk of my car at all times, right next to my collection of classic novels.

Re: Packing a load 100 years ago

PostPosted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 5:49 am
by balzaccom
Imagine what their digestive system must have been. They ate all meat, all them time. Makes my stomach cramp just to think of it.