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Post by armando on Feb 14, 2020 4:54:49 GMT -7
I've done some modern minimalist camping but looking to start exploring hc/pc gear.
Rather than try to go 100percent hc/pc all at once, I thought I would start with getting together my shelter and bedding and then start transitioning everything else in my kit a little at a time.
1 What would be a good simple, packable easy to set up shelter (tarp?) for 18th or 19th century (are there great differences from 1760's to 1820's?)
2 What is historically correct bedding?
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Post by nwterritorywoodsman on Feb 14, 2020 8:31:28 GMT -7
Black Hand should chime in and tell you about his blanket/treated canvas ground cloth, as I recall him saying not word to word but basically that humans have gotton soft and find comfort in paper thin tents when really you don't need one, all you need is some good wool and a water-proof ground sheet that can be used as a fly in case of bad weather.
NWT Woodsman
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Post by paranger on Feb 14, 2020 16:58:51 GMT -7
Painted linen canvas (Spanish brown is a good period color for this) or oilcloth tarp and a good period duffel blanket (Rob Stone makes excellent and well documented ones, but they are on the pricier side). I also like original 19th and early 20th c. homespun center seam blankets which can occasionally be had in antique shops, estate sales, etc. I have picked up several of these for as little as $15-20 each. Condition needn't be perfect. These homespun center seam blankets were virtually unchanged for over 200 years.
My two cents.
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Post by brokennock on Feb 14, 2020 23:32:07 GMT -7
Someone's also going to point out the there seems to be little evidence of individuals on foot carrying shelter beyond a few blankets. (Oh, I guess that someone is me) And that also, folks travel the wilderness on foot was a rare or less occurance. Horses, mules, and small watercraft (canoes and the like), moved man and his stuff.
Unfortunately unless we own a very large piece of our own property, in the right place, we have to follow a lot of restrictions which can preclude one from throwing up a quick period brush shelter or the like. So, some type of instant shelter can be desired these days that they wouldn't have personally have carried then.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 16, 2020 6:39:03 GMT -7
To keep things relatively simple only a few quality items are needed.
A good 100% wool blanket is a must, off white or white were commonly available during the period. Reproductions can be found with the kings mark and others relatively easy. Look on etsy and ebay. Avoid surplus blankets or blends, nothing can compare to a 100% wool blanket on cold nights and damp conditions.
For a shelter I use a self made 5x5 oil cloth as mentioned above from heavy canvas, .69 caliber roundballs puckered and tied on all four corners with hemp cordage as tieouts. Small river stones can also be used. Shelter options are very personal and I largely utilize what nature has provided in terms of shelter in combination with the small oilcloth I carry. I largely believe one should learn to utilize what nature has provided and work with her for your needs and individuals of the period absolutely learned to work in tandem with nature for shelter needs. Woodsman also during the period didn't always have the option of an oilcloth as well. I'd recommend you do a few overnighters experiencing both areas of shelter exploration.
Keep in mind that comfort and shelter are also relative to your environmental situation. 18th century trekking and bedding down are much different than modern methods and indeed are an acquired taste through experiment and first hand experiences, get out and enjoy the good and the bad by doing. I backpack into the backcountry frequently with my modern gear and often times I feel very spoiled!
My best advice is keep things simple, which is an area I've personally struggled with over the years, less is best and the skills are what matter more so than the gear in my opinion. Quality period gear is essential like a wool blanket, but even that one blanket and the right skillset can keep you comfortable (again a relative term) even with no oilcloth. I urge you to just enjoy the heck out of the journey you've started, you indeed have came to the right place.
I also forgot to mention a base for bedding. Never sleep on bare ground, literally will suck the life from you. I make a earthen base layer from leaves, pine branch, grass.. Whatever you can use to insulate your body. I'm very particular about keeping my woolen articles clean, which a properly made base layer will help keep one, you warm and comfortable (important) and two, your blanket clean.
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Post by brokennock on Feb 16, 2020 8:25:12 GMT -7
Hawkeyes brings up many good points. I would reread his post a couple times.
Comfort is a relative term.
Much of staying warm, and relatively comfortable, when sleeping on the ground is a matter more of what is under you than over you. If you only have a small tarp and it is not raining it may be better to use it under you. Especially if there is not a lot of other material available to pile up between you and the ground. One other thing that does not get mentioned a lot in these threads. Unless you have a vast quantity of hay or something similar to pile up and lay on, scrape an indentation in the ground where your hips will lay. This can make an unbelievable positive difference in comfort. I had to sleep on a brand new modern folding cot for a few weeks recently. I couldn't get comfortable and my back and hips hurt when I got up. It took me a few days to realize it was because the fabric of the cot was stretched so tight that my hips had no where to sink in. Thus won't keep you warmer while sleeping, but will make you more comfortable.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 16, 2020 13:29:48 GMT -7
The subject today got my motivation up to re-coat my cloth. This is my simple 5x5 oilcloth coated with my homemade mixture of pure linseed oil and iron oxide pigment. No drying agents or other chemicals are used. Takes about 1-2 weeks to fully dry. In the image you'll notice it's rather red. This is not the case once cured, the color is a deep red/brown hue as it should be. The sun is shining today FINALLY which also intensifies the reddish coloration. Again, simple roundball tieouts with hemp cordage is all that's used for lashing.
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Post by brokennock on Feb 16, 2020 13:50:26 GMT -7
What does it weigh? Original source of the cloth?
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 16, 2020 14:15:46 GMT -7
What does it weigh? Original source of the cloth? Weight, no idea honestly. When it comes to my 18th century gear I don't honestly worry one bit about weight. I'm used to carrying 30lbs of gear in my Osprey pack and I'm well under that even with my HC gear on treks and events. 30lbs is light even by modern standards. If I had to guess... I'd say 3lbs conservatively speaking. Now to source, old duck canvas tent. I cut a 61" square on one side which allowed for a 1" hem that was rolled and pressed at 1/2" increments. Then just simply sewed up the two raw edges with a saddle stich. I largely decided on a smaller footprint for convenience and I'm not a tall person, so I'm able to get away with it easily. Now in a driving rain with just this shelter alone I'm getting wet. This is a tradeoff and an area I have to be conscious of. This is where I utilize what nature has provided coupled with the oilcloth.
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Post by armando on Feb 16, 2020 15:07:04 GMT -7
So much good stuff/info here! Thanks!
Do you use the blanket in some kind of wrap (tie off the feet) or anything of the sort?
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Feb 16, 2020 17:53:06 GMT -7
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Post by armando on Feb 17, 2020 4:36:39 GMT -7
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Post by armando on Feb 17, 2020 4:48:16 GMT -7
This has got to be one of my favorite videos on youtube for so many reasons! First, BEARD! (I'm not the only guy with a beard now!) Second, I learned a heap of stuff and how to set up that oilcloth that I hadn't thought of before Then I get a peak at your whole kit and sitting down to make a list. Thank you brother!
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Post by spence on Feb 17, 2020 7:14:44 GMT -7
Good job, Keith.
Spence
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Feb 17, 2020 15:04:43 GMT -7
This has got to be one of my favorite videos on youtube for so many reasons! First, BEARD! (I'm not the only guy with a beard now!) Second, I learned a heap of stuff and how to set up that oilcloth that I hadn't thought of before Then I get a peak at your whole kit and sitting down to make a list. Thank you brother! You are very welcome armando, I am pleased that my post was of some help & interest. Regards, Keith.
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