Living History: The Ancient Trekker Of The Trails Speaks

We're beginning to see a growth of interest and participation in the Classic Camping, Traditional Campcraft, Historical Camping -- whatever you want to call it -- genre of Living History. I had some thoughts I wanted to express and I was having trouble putting them together, until a figure from my mis-spent youth appeared --- The Ancient Trekker of The Trails.
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[@jwgbmp40]

Guys like you and Blackie Thomas have had a lot of influence in promoting this "resurgence ". Its your generations turn to pass down the "old ways". I'm 53, it is helping me to prepare to do this with my Grandchildren. Its a blast. Theyre home schooled, 4 and 6 and this is all peaking their interests. Thx.

[@sargevining]

Thanks for honoring me by mentioning me in the same sentence as Blackie.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

I LOVE IT: the Ten Strong Suggestions from the 'Trekker.' Having skipped THAT type of mushroom tea, I remember a lot. Those were powerful times as far as cultural change and political idealism went. I was a young Instructor at the University of Arkansas/Fayetteville. I got introduced to Multicultural people.

[@sargevining]

The ironic thing is that there are those who, for political reasons, are trying to recreate the cultural and political idealism of the time today. The problem with that is that most of us who went through it know where it failed and where it did not and can transmit that logically. The youth of today aren't going through the existential experience of being 15-20 years away from the atomic bomb or watch their parents and neighbors building bomb shelters. As a result, the existential threats being relayed to them are mostly bullshit and are rapidly exposed as such.

[@toml.8210]

I agree with your suggestion on old aluminium mess gear. I always wash thoroughly my ALL stuff before I go on the trail, unless I washed it from a recent trip. I would scrub, wash or even soak it if I wasn't sure it was already thoroughly clean/sanitized. I hate getting sick on the road or away from home.

[@sargevining]

Yah, getting sick when you're a five mile walk away from the car that will take you on the half hour (or more depending on where you're hiking) trip to the pharmacy really, really sucks.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Excellent “strong suggestions” for any hobby. Thank you and your special guest, The Ancient Trekker, for presenting them. Pretty sure your daughter will not be too shocked by your 1970s confession. From this point forward George Lucas & Stephen Spielberg will be looking over their shoulders as you over take them with your production quality.

[@sargevining]

Heh. It was actually my most challenging video, especially engineering the green screen. It did not come out on the screen the way I saw it in my head. But lacking the budget and time George and Stephen have, I had to go with what I had.

[@ROE1300]

@@sargevining Given your financial constraints compared with your peers in Hollywood your artistic work was amazing. 😀

[@jamesellsworth9673]

On to THE STRONG SUGGESTIONS: this is your best exposition of Bannerman's Camp Theory! I would join your camp events if my health permitted. I WOULD EXPECT that we were doing as you intended: we were 'camping together.' We weren't signing on for an Expedition, where 'AUTHORITY' was an important support and safeguard. Your advice extends to Military Reenactors, where the chain of command is ultimately of significance: each member needs to find their own rank, based on ability...or just willingness to get along to experience the rewards of participation.

[@sargevining]

If the intent is to replicate the experience as closely as possible, then the organizational theory behind the enterprise should in no way resemble Military Reenactments.

[@misolgit69]

I had a friend who owned a 'vintage' US aluminium 1 quart canteen, he carried alcohol in it believe it or not a mixture of Southern Comfort and Malibu (shudder) eventually it ate straight through the metal

[@sargevining]

I knew of an Old Soldier who carried a separate canteen cup that he used only for making coffee in. He never washed it. He said he did that because if he ever found himself without instant or ground coffee, he could just put boiling water in it and he'd have coffee to drink. Your example illustrates the problem: different chemicals react differently on aluminum, steel, etc. They can eat into the metal and cause microscopic pits and recesses that will hold other chemicals that will never be removed by normal washing but will leech into water when boiled.

[@hanelyp1]

Re: cell phones as emergency communications, you don't have to travel far from a major urban center to find zones of ZERO cell coverage. Sometimes moving a few hundred feet around or up a hill is enough to make contact. Sometimes you need other means to signal for help. Knowing how to use your equipment isn't just about first aid. A lot of outdoors equipment, especially the older stuff, needs some skill to use right. How you pitch a tent can make or break how it sheds water and wind.

[@sargevining]

Dailing 911 will get the best results as all carriers are required by law to connect 911 calls regardless of the carrier of the caller. That said, cell phones are not as reliable as a PLB or satellite phone. But this doesn't really diminish the quantum leap forward in trail safety that having a phone in your pocket represents. Its a whole lot better than a signal mirror, smoke flare, or screaming your lungs out. Thanks for watching!

[@toml.8210]

i borrowed the book "Light weight Camping Gear and Hoe To Make It" (Cunningham) and I think it was a very good post-WW2 reference for what gear was like and how it was made. My focus is on camping with stuff used from 1970 - 1985, so it's not relevant to me.

[@sargevining]

I'd rethink that as Cunningham's pioneering work in the 50s & 60s resulted in what was done and designed in the 1970s. In the upcoming weeks I'll be posting a video on how Cunningham reinvented the backpacking tent in 1963. Thanks for watching!

[@57WillysCJ]

Good mores to live by. Giving a break to someone with different gear is fine to me as long as they are not teaching others to do the same. Reminds me of James Roosevelt wearing tennis shoes as a Marine Captain on the Makin Island Raid. You can learn map reading on KZbin well enough, as to first aid even your local Red Cross will give you the skills to save someone. You don't have to be certified to work in an ER like I was. Also carry the kit of the equipment you are personally trained to use. You aren't going to do surgery if you haven't been trained nor are you going to stitch a deep wound. Always charge your phone before going out. Mine will last two days with use, much more not used. If you are really going out fay get a SAT beacon as it works even without cell service. As to pans, remember even cast iron was used in old barns to catch oil and coolants. They needed a pan and it was there. Again great ideas to get the little grey/gray cells moving. Research is a blast, if nothing else a reproduction Sears catalog.

[@sargevining]

There are a lot of folks out there who like to build themselves up by tearing others down. I think that's what drives away some folks. I prefer to improve the neighborhood by sprucing up my own house.

[@toml.8210]

I get the same st00pid things from people regarding my hand-built replica sportscar: "You need to drive it the way it was meant. "' I drive Safely and legally. "You to do (this) with the front." The front is accurate and exact. You need wider tyres for more [grip]." Then I'd have to add 400 LBS or it will slide all over. You need some chrome badges and name/model on it." They never did that until the 1970s.

[@sargevining]

Practicality and safety should rule when appropriate and for the intended use.

[@ScottCarlson-cz7wj]

I have ear buds in. At the first clap of thunder, I about wet my pants. -ha

[@sargevining]

My mission here on Earth is now complete. I can return to the Home Planet with my head held high. Thanks for watching!

[@ScottCarlson-cz7wj]

Good advice Sarge, Thanks.

[@toml.8210]

I don't know of a reason your couldn't have a period first aid kit to use for demonstrations, but for actual camping, a real first aid kit is essential. You might even want both for reenactments, in case someone actually had an injury.

[@sargevining]

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. The whole thrust of the "Strong Suggestions" is that there are different imperatives for public demonstrations and actual field use. I'd bitch somebody out if they displayed a modern first aid kit at a public display, and I'd bitch somebody out if they brought a vintage kit on a 4 mile overnight.