Packing Equipment

Pack saddle with saddle blanket Purpose: to hold pack boxes or bags and keep both stock and load safe Breast collar to keep saddle from sliding back too far on rump Britchen to keep saddle from sliding too far forward over neck Two belly cinches to secure saddle to animal

Types of saddles Sawbuck saddle looks like saw bucks on top This is just the tree before the sheepskin and leather harness is added. Sawbuck is common in California, Wyoming and Colorado Decker has the hoops on top. The Decker is the original saddle from Idaho in 1898 Decker is common in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington Sawbuck Saddle tree Decker Saddle tree

Pack pad Pack pads are used to add some padding between the load and the animal. There are many styles that are used for different animals, loads or saddles

Panniers or bags Panniers are then attached to the saddle to hold the load Soft sided bags Hard boxes Slings, just wraps around load an ice chest here

Many outfits build their own bags or boxes to meet their needs here are some examples from Yosemite

Manty Canvas manty’s are used to cover loads and protect from dust and weather They come in various material depending on location. Canvas is most common

Lash cinch and rope Lash cinch is attached to the pack rope which ties the load to the animal with what is known as a hitch The rope is usually made out of braided cotton rope, although nylon is also used

Pack halters Pack halters are made of harness leather. They are made to last Some have a pull chain Some have a leather strap Others attach the lead rope directly to the ring on the halter

Nose bags Nose bags are used to feed individual animals grain. Grain is put in bag and then goes behind ears like a halter to hold bag in place while animal eats Feeding depends on the packing outfitter, some feed grain morning, night or both

Hobbles Hobbles are sometimes used to keep pack animals stationary while being packed or unpacked when there is nothing to tie to They wrap around the front legs so the animal is not suppose to be able to walk Some are smart enough to run with hobbles on

Hitches (not knots) Box hitch is primarily used to pull the load off the sides of the pack animal, usually no top load and heavy side loads, notice no top load and the rope catching the corner Diamond hitch is primarily used to pull the load in close to animal, has a top load, usually softer items that can be compressed especially for top load, notice the point of the diamond and the ropes are in the middle of the bags

What can be packed Packing was first started to pack mining equipment into remote road less locations around the turn of the 1900’s across the west Today pack stations are all over the mountains of the west to pack in hikers, hunters, supplies and trail crews where vehicles can not access.

What can be packed The location of the pack station determines what they will be packing Some commercial pack outfits specialize for hunting or all inclusive extended trips or day rides and spot drops Can be packed Camping supplies Stoves, tables, ice chests, sleeping bags, tents Carcasses for hunters Trail crew supplies Shovels, picks, chainsaws, drills, bridge timbers, Destination supplies Tables, bed springs, water heaters, sheets of plywood, fence posts,

Yosemite National Park National Park Service Ranger Station supplies Food, medical supplies, construction supplies Trail Crew supplies Food, shovels, picks, drills, chainsaws, bridge timbers, dirt, posts, camp supplies, bear boxes Yosemite Park Concession Located in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows Special trips Camping supplies for hikers to remote locations, generally drop off and pick up High Camp Supplies Food, bedding, propane, trash, camp supplies, fire wood, construction supplies

Eastern Sierra Nevada There are many independent pack outfitters specializing in All inclusive extended trips Hunting trips Day trips Half day rides Drops for hikers

This is a map that shows all the pack outfitters from Kennedy Meadow to McGee Creek

Here are all the pack outfitters from McGee Creek south to Cottonwood

The entire map for reference, previous 2 slides have this map cut in a north half and a south half