The coat is to be at once eliminated. One never needs it: it is cumbersome, it impedes the swing of the arms and is no protection in inclement weather. It readily soaks up water or if made of waterproof stuff moisture is condensed inside. A good wool sweater is far preferable and should be included in every individual pack: you won’t use it much more than for a warmer at the evening camp.
The best headgear is an old felt hat of medium brim so the brush won’t forever be snatching it off. It will stay on the head better if you get the hat a size too small and rip out the lining so that the felt can cling to the hair.
Wear a coat style shirt always of wool or flannel and of a gray or tan color which won’t show dirt so badly as the popular blue does nor is it so conspicuous. To allow for shrinkage get it a size too large in the beginning and of medium light weight because if too heavy it becomes cumbersome in your work: two military bellows pockets with buttons are convenient for small stowaways.
It is quite advisable to waterproof all woolen items in the outfit after the following methods: secure three ounces of anhydrous wool fat and dissolve in chloroform. This is added to one gallon of benzine and the garments soaked therein for three minutes and then hung up to dry in a draft. The volatile benzine evaporates leaving the fibers of the wool encased in the natural oil. This is of particular advantage to the outdoor man since the woolen fibers thus treated do not soak up water and swell but only allow water to fill up the air interspaces of the fabric from which it can be readily expelled.
The trousers will be subject to great wear and should be chosen for service rather than for looks or warmth, which latter will be taken care of by the wool undersuit. Khaki is light and cool but it notoriously displays dirt. Moleskin or whipcord withstands the hardest usage and is windproof and warm. It is the choice of the Hudson’s Bay men whose discrimination in matters regarding outfit is to be respected. The fit of the trousers is a most important thing if one is to walk in comfort. They must not draw at the knees which would mean speedy fatigue on the march and they should be of abundant length with plenty of width from the knee to the hip. The knickerbocker style formerly evolved a smile of ridicule from some lookers-on but after trying all sorts and kinds one must concede the “stagged” style the best for woods walking. If you have long trousers cut them off half way up to the knee, slit them the rest of the way up and fold over to a snug fit about the calf and secure with lacing or buttons. The heavy wool socks should be brought up over the pant legs and with this arrangement one is able to travel with more comfort than with the long trousers. Suspend the pants from the hips by a good leather belt.
The selection of the undersuit requires more care than the outer garments. Preferably it should be a loosely fitting union suit of pure soft wool regardless of season. Wool absorbs perspiration and prevents chill. Cotton on the other hand retains perspiration and is a clammy chill producer when the body begins to cool off. Never use thick underwear even in winter: better have an extra undersuit, a size larger than the one ordinarily worn, for doubling up in cold weather. Two thin suits worn together are warmer than a thick one weighing as much as both: this is due to the dead air interspace between the two.
In a pocket carry a good jack-knife with two blades of first class steel: never take one of the many-tool kinds. Except on an extended trip you will not need a sheath knife. One with a five-inch blade and housed in a leather sheath with belt loop is best. A good butcher knife makes an admirable implement for the purpose. The waterproof match box of metal or rubber should always be carried on the person and see to it that it is kept well filled. The supply for this pocket safe is to be drawn from the moisture tight match can carried in the pack sack. The usual blue bandanna handkerchief will occupy its place in the hip pocket and the compass should be worn in a shirtpocket and secured to a button hole by a rawhide thong. Or one may use a compass which pins on the shirt front thus being always in view and giving the hands freedom for use in other ways.
CHAPTER III
WOODS WALKING WITH A PACK
THERE is a certain trick in learning the technique of walking outdoors. Unless one takes up pedestrianism to make the most of it he is not apt to perfect himself in an art universally practised in a slip shod fashion and yet which is one of the simplest functions of the human body. Just this careful attention to details is what distinguishes the pedestrian from the mere stroller. Indeed one must walk with the head as well as with the feet, studying to eliminate the faults of gait. The secret is to find how to walk with the least effort to relieve body rigidity and thus conserve vital force.
The gait of the average townsman is that of a stroller—a distinct up and down action with rather rigid hips, the toes very likely pointing outward and the heels striking first and disturbing the balance. The carriage may be erect enough and the movements springy and graceful over firm level footing but it is an ill poised gait and exhausting should one endeavor to lengthen the step or cover the ground in good time.