Old TexMex
Member
Yep. Americans don’t know about the good stuff. They think swag is t shirts, logo caps and stubby coolers. They never listened to Slim Dusty
Anyone else use a bedroll?
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I've done some mountain backpacking for several days to a week at a time but always with a conventional pack. Never tried a bedroll, in fact, I've never seen one in the field. I won't be trying a bedroll, but I can see some advantage to carrying one on an animal or bicycle.
Someone mentioned air mattresses; they've come a very long ways since the early '60s when I began using one. Far more reliable these days and less prone to leaks. Also much more comfortable than they used to be. Quite a bit more expensive for a good one, too, but that's the only kind to buy.
Someone mentioned air mattresses; they've come a very long ways since the early '60s when I began using one. Far more reliable these days and less prone to leaks. Also much more comfortable than they used to be. Quite a bit more expensive for a good one, too, but that's the only kind to buy.
Old TexMex
Member
The urban outdoorsman just looks for a park bench. No need to pack, the things are all over the place....
OP
Muss, remember, to a mule 40 pounds is exceptionally light...especially when they're used to carrying 200 pounds.
Heck! Some riding saddles weigh 40 pounds, so if a mule only has to carry my bedroll, she feels like she's being spoiled.
I've cut the cheese in a tube tent...
Ah. Admittedly, I was unfamiliar with the baseline . . .
Muss, remember, to a mule 40 pounds is exceptionally light...especially when they're used to carrying 200 pounds.
We only did that a time or two, my son was quite small and I took him fishing up North, the bugs weren't too bad and weather was nice. I throwed a couple wool blankets and an old flannel sheet on a tarp and rolled it up, fishing gear and kid in the truck and off we went. It was great, when he asked where we were gonna sleep I told him under a lean-to on a "Cowboy Bed". He was around five and that stuck with him, he brought that up a couple years ago as a real good memory.
Old TexMex
Member
Banjo ( or Clancy ) would’ve loved one of those!
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Do you remember when many early square sleeping bags came with an extension at the head and the picture showed using a couple of sticks to form a canopy just over your head. First time I saw one of these wondered the purpose? Only thing I could figure out was the canopy was to keep direct sun off your face if you were a late sleeper, you know slept in after sun sun came up! These bags were not waterproof, or even water resistant.
If you were with my Dad or uncles and you slept that late it was a long time till the next meal!
Canvas folded, blankets, pine straw or leaves, or newspaper, underneath!
My Dad spent WWII on Kodiac Island, and other islands in the Aleutions with the USN, flying PBY's, etc. and he did bring home an issued artic sleeping bag, down and feathers filled. He never got cold! My son, 37y.o., still has it, and says it is still warm when late season grouse hunting in northern MN., though heavier than modern winter bags his companions use, but a PU carries it well!
If you were with my Dad or uncles and you slept that late it was a long time till the next meal!
Canvas folded, blankets, pine straw or leaves, or newspaper, underneath!
My Dad spent WWII on Kodiac Island, and other islands in the Aleutions with the USN, flying PBY's, etc. and he did bring home an issued artic sleeping bag, down and feathers filled. He never got cold! My son, 37y.o., still has it, and says it is still warm when late season grouse hunting in northern MN., though heavier than modern winter bags his companions use, but a PU carries it well!
My parents bought me a bad with the extra material to make a little tent over your head. I still have that bag and use it. It is heavy duty and I have slept in -20 weather in it. I did get cold though. I never used it with the sticks for a tent cover.
I too have a winter bag from WWII that my father in law had. I slept in -20 degree weather in that and didn't get cold.
I too have a winter bag from WWII that my father in law had. I slept in -20 degree weather in that and didn't get cold.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Yep. Americans don’t know about the good stuff. They think swag is t shirts, logo caps and stubby coolers. They never listened to Slim Dusty
You can still buy a dinkum Aussie swag. No worries about looking like a tenderfoot either. One outing in the Pilbara bush & she'll be right. The red Pilbara dust never washes out.
Old TexMex
Member
Tell me about that red dust. I worked the gold fields in North queensland for 6 months (the dry season) that red dust was finer than talcum powder. It doesn’t wash out. 
carpriver
US Veteran
I Had a bed roll of sorts, a 8x10 ft, canvas sealed with water proofer 2 wool blankets and a poncho liner. If it was cold weather mite have 4 wool blankets ( all military issue),
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