Wanting to go on some short treks with a small group. What are some ideas for trekking this day and age when it isn't hunting season?
I ask this because I am starting a buckskinner club down here and I need some good ideas to tell the folks that show up.

I'm new to period trekking Sawbones, so I too was wondering what sort of activities, aside from going from point A to B, is there? I guess that working on what ever skills I was interested in comes to my mind. Walking- shooting competitions, fire building, meal prep, shelter building and such.

Yeah Warmut stuff like that sound good. It seems like it really is a kind of free for all do whatever type of activity. I guess you could set up what ever rules you want, stick to what ever time period you want and go for it.
I'm hoping that people who do a lot of that will reply with how and what they do on a trek. thanks, Chuck

Hello Camp,

Here is some ideas as now we do things on our scout or treks or camps how ever you call them. Of course we pick our route and where we want to be before we start losing daylight so we have time to set up a camp and get a fire going. We also split all the camp items between the whole party not including your personal gear. I guess I should say that our timeline is the 1830's trapping/hunting party in the rockies. So our camp works like or we try to work like their mess would have be it a ride or walk in camp. Each person has duties and we don't end with each person bringing the same items like cooking kettles, axes and food. We also pick a few items that we want to do "rocky mountain colleges" on. Things like maybe work on sign Language, tracking skills, wild plants, cordage, pc card games whatever fits the theme of the camp and sharing each others skills. Even exploring an area where you may want to do a hunting camp for the fall hunt.Its alway fun to do like show and tells, whats in our kit, what works for you, and what have you tried. There is so many things to do and just not enough time in my book. Make it fun and enjoy.

Trekking aw how do I put it/ is really nothing more then actually getting out in the woods n doing it. You can go to an event where ya drive up to yer camp site n unload but getting yer gear/kit down to what you can comfortably carry on yer back is a whole nuther animal. You can trek in your backyard if yer a mind too, practicing your different skills like fire starting, reading the clouds n predicting the weather, working on a hide or just about anything ya want. Or ya can head for the high n uncut by yourself or with a group dressed as period as you made the rules up to be. Some winter trekks guys will allow more modern foot wear so people don't end up with frostbit toes and then again I been out on some where it was period correct or ya didn't go. If you are going onto State or Federal land make sure you are allowed to carry your guns(ya might not be allowed). You can set up a story line if ya want n try to stay in a first person personna the whole time with maybe a small monitary fine fer each guy who slips n talks about something modern while yer out n about. Trekking is really what you want to make it. Some idea to practice, identify edible plants(allow a good book on plants to be brought along to be safe n make sure) , identify medicinal plants, build a shelter either for your self or for the group. Keep track of what types of birds n game ya see, follow animal tracks n try to actually see the animal. really build a small smoky fire n jerk some meat. Don't let weather stop ya from going, finding out what works in all kinds of weather might save yer life some time. If its raining go anyway, if its snowing go anyway, just try n prepare for it mentally. Maybe try a fireless camp, can ya eat what food stuffs ya got without cooking them first, find out. Try going with out any food n see how ya fare the ideas of what ya can do on a trek are endless n if ya got some like minded buddys then it can be even more fun. just some thoughts YMHS Birdman

I think I saw a picture of your crew while I was looking back over some of the old posts bufflerrub. Looks like y'all have a fun time.

Well Birdman, you done covered the other items that I was going to follow up with! He right get out and get on the ground as we say. Don't let the weather stop you unless the ol mountain passes are close and its unsafe to get there.
I guess I could add a couple of other things. If you are just starting outdon't push yourself, do short treks, get use to your equipment. Do some day trips, you will start finding out what adjustments you may have to make to your clothes and/or equipage. Weekends are short so make your treks shorter so you can enjoy your camp more. The more you do it the more you can do because your gear will be all set and you will be comfortable with it.

Thanks a lot for the information you guys, thats just what I was looking for.

Just a couple other things I think are important. Yes take a cell phone with ya if yer in an area where you think you can get a signal. If someone gets hurt or falls ill it could make the difference in getting them out. You can leave it turned off n placed in a small linen bag or something so it doesn't stand out. Always always make sure someone else knows where you are headed and if yer plans change when ya get there let them know before ya head into the woods, especially if yer out alone. Some one at home worrying and trying to figure out just where ya went doesn't help ya out much if ya need help. Also invest in a decent water purifier, there is nowhere out there to get good water anymore no matter how clean it looks n what yer carrying with ya may not last the entire trip, be safe first and period correct second when the need arises. If ya got more questions please feel free to ask. I'm getting to an age where I don't get out the way I used to but its still great fun when I can. granted I'm only 54 but the body has near 90 years of wear n tear on it LOL

oh yea take a pack of those water proof wind proof strike anywhere matches with ya too n about 1/2 a doz cotton balls with some petrolium jelly on them for tinder(stored in a plastic sealed bag), there may come a time when yer period fire lighting kit gets wet n won't work, that fire might just keep ya alive

Sawbones
Give yer trekkies a break.
If you trek is to be casual you may let
your participants wear boots or heavy duty
shoes.
I went on a "primitive" trek, that to me meant
pc. We walked in 3 miles on wet sharp shale.
I was wearing a 65-pound pack. My mocs soon
blew out. I was the ONLY fool not wearing boots. I had to ask my compadres to carry my gear out. I was crippled for a week. Like
getting your feet broke in a Turkish prison.

65 pounds of gear!!?? were you going out for the year? for a wknd trek, gun and gear for me is about 20pounds...you took way too much "stuff" in my opinion

Yep i know a Guy named gutshot ranger he has all sorts of ideas about trekking. Hey Gutshot if you are reading this how about sharing Brother!!Hahaha. As a 41 yrold infantry guy i say go liteand i hope none of you ever have to trek in Iraq! God Bless and keep yar smokepole close

65 pounds?? No wonder you blew out your moc's! With talk like that you can scare off new folks from getting out on the ground.

No, travel light. I always and only wear moc's. I carry 2 or 3 pair it depends on the weather. One of those pair are on my feet the others are rolled up in my gear.

Here is my gear this was taken at the end of a 3 day camp just before I rolled it up.

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bufflerub1880,

I was wondering about the 65lbs myself. Seemed like a tad more weight than I would want to carry.

all it takes is a few trips "out in the woods" and you'll quickly find you don't "need" most of the stuff...I still can't imagine 65pounds of gear!! I doubt my winter trek gear weighs that much....

hey Bufflerrub, got a couple questions, what is the mottled looking material in the center of yer blanket-oilcloth maybe, n what is the blue colored material, n lastly what is yer blanket laying on, looks sort a like a giant piece of ticking. curious is all. I agree on the run lite n tight idea. After a couple treks the gear ya take tapers way down real quick like. LOL Like I always say "every ounce becomes a pound after the first mile" Most guys usually end up with way to much food n cooking gear, ya really don't need much for an overnighter or even a couple days. Heck ya won't starve LOL might even learn how to "feel hungry" which was REAL common on the frontier. Next comes cloths, except fer the mocs most of the cloths ya need are already on yer back unless yer expecting a real drastic change in the weather while out. In order I guess water is most important then clothing including a good blanket then comes food n last the extras for yer personal comforts. You can leave yer toothbrush, soap n towel, shaving kit n such at home ya won't die in a weekend with out it n does it ever feel good to clean up when ya git home. Put yer head mentally into the time period n figure out what ya would not have if gone from home after 3 months n then leave all that junk at home

Hey Bufflerub! I like your outfit. I need to trim my gear down, and it looks like your setup has all a guy would need.

Thanks Birdman, I am always trying to trim my gear to make work out the best. That in the center is an oiled canvas that is folded over and sewn along the bottom and part way on the side. I can put my blankets inside or fill it with grass or duff for a pad too. The blue is a shirt made of trade wool. You are right everything is laid out on a ticking that I treated with oil & turpintine. I can use that as a shelter or wrap up in. Sometimes Idon't bring that canvas bag. You don't need much food. If you go out with 2 guys and each have a small copper kettle you have all you need to cook in. One will feed you both plenty the other for coffee or tea, have a small fry pan in the sack to roast the coffee beans or whatever. A water filter is the only modern item in my whole kit thats important but they freeze up in old weather.

Hey bufflerub, I don't see a hawk, or any type of an axe to chop with. Do you carry one? Just wondering. RD