I have a question for the group. I recently made myself two "rendezvous" chairs. They're the good old canvas folding stools but with a back attached. I've been told that with the back they date back to the Napoleonic period but I can't find any documentation on them. It seems like such a simple idea I can't imagine that no one else ever came up with it! Does anyone have any information on this?

OK, I'll open myself to getting zinged again. (see current discussion about peep sights) Chairs at a rendezvous are, admittedly, a very arguable subject. It is unlikely the trappers carried chairs in the mountains. But, they were young and accustomed to hardships. And, don't forget, they usually died young. Many of us are longer in the tooth. Personally, I simply would not be able to participate if I couldn't sit and rest my back with a chair. It's that simple. It is not a question of plastic or real bear claws. It is a matter of necessity. BTW, I use the slide-together types. I made the one I use the most.

I use a plain canvas stool which goes waaay back, but seems like one of the vendors [Panther Primitives?] advertised a stool like yours as being PC--might google them and see...

The folding backless kind go back to the Roman times. The ones with backs are pretty early, too but I can't give exact documentation.
Sparks

A buddy of mine in Montana takes the plastic milk crates and wraps them (after some padding) in canvas. Then the canvas is tied with rope so the covered milk crate looks like a wrapped and tied bundle for shipping by canoe or pack animal. They look like the wrapped fur bales and he has mentioned making stencils to mark them like the old fur bundles. Those wrapped crates make great stools for sitting on and they really add to a primitive campsite. I'll have to get a couple of photos of them, or just have him wrap a crate for me. In my own camp I have some of the folding or "take-down" wooden chairs made by "Bugler" Ulry. Those are acceptable at most of our doin's and they are a comfort 'cause you can lean against the back and rest your shoulders. He gives several chairs away to the various clubs every year as shooting prizes. While he doesn't do business by mail, he is often found on traders row. Recently I asked him how many chairs he had made and his reply was over 5400! I'm guessing that everyone in the Pacific NW has seen his chairs. Shoot sharp's the word, Mike

Right on Mike. I have six of Will's chairs.

I recall sitting on some sort of supposidly Indian back rest affair that was deffinitly comforable. Well, that was back in the 1980's. If I get down like that for any langth of time anymore, somebody has to call 911 to get me back up on my feet.

If it wern't for chairs, I'd never survive mountain doings. I have saddle blankets that I through over our chairs to give them a different look. Besides, it helps pad my bum while I'm sitting on it.

Load fast and aim slow.