For our trip to Africa, we tried to find a few books to read. There were a couple that were really good, including "A Primate's Memoir" by Robert Sapolsky, and "Affluence without Abundance" by James Suzman. Both excellent.
But we also read that classic African adventure novel of the late 1800's, "King Solomon's Mines" by Rider Haggard. It was not excellent, but it did capture some of the colonial perceptions of the British Empire back then. It wasn't a pretty picture. But in the middle of the book, the heroes undertake a long cross-country hike that made us think of backpacking. Except they had a slightly different take on ultralight. In the book, five men start out on the journey cross the desert, each one carrying a load of forty pounds.
Here's the packing list for the group--described as traveling light!
3 express rifles and 200 rounds of ammunition.
2 Winchester rifles and 200 rounds
3 colt revolvers and 60 rounds
5 one gallon water bottles
5 blankets
25 pounds of Biltong (like jerky)
10 pounds mixed beads for trade a selection of medicines and surgical instruments
Knives, compass, matches, pocket filter, tobacco, a trowel and a bottle of brandy
Times have changed...
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963
The Moon is Waxing Gibbous (79% of Full)
Packing list from king Solomon's Mines
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November 02, 2019 11:27AM |
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