  Privacy
| Legal |
Table of Contents Back | Next | Cover Page |
 Technology & Development Center |
Techniques and Equipment for Wilderness Travel with Stock
See Equipment Sources for addresses.
Costs are in 1992 dollars.
Electric Fences
Description
Electric fences contain stock without the need for hobbles, picket ropes, pole corrals, or highlines. Most systems come in complete kits containing standard fiberglass posts, electric wire, steel corner posts, insulators, ground rods, tie-down stakes with cord, fence chargers, splicers, warning signs, and carry bags. Various reels and reel systems, wires, tapes, mounting posts, and fencing chargers are available separately.
Electric fencing is lightweight, easy to handle, and can be installed in a fraction of the time of conventional fencing. The fencing can be lowered, raised, added to easily and quickly, and can be taken down and set up often. A single
strand of ribbon should be enough for horses or mules. Plastic posts are set about 15 feet (4.58 meters) apart. Repairs are easily made with splicers and a pair of pliers. One disadvantage is that wildlife may go through the fence.
Weight
5 pounds to 20 pounds (2.27 kilograms to 9.08 kilograms) per kit
Sources
Euer Hereford Ranch Supplies
Howell New Zealand Fencing System
Live Wire Products
Speedrite
Outfitters Pack Station
J.L. Williams Company
Windridge Farms
Farm and ranch supply stores
Hardware stores
Cost
$100 to $200 per kit
Hobbles
Description
Hobbles are made of leather, nylon, or biothane with twin loops, and may have chain, snap chain, or swivel chain connectors or be a twist type. Fleece lined hobbles are available.
Hobbles can keep stock from straying too far from camp. They also keep stock from pawing the ground when they are tied on a hitchline. However, some stock readily adjust to hobbles and can move quickly in them.
Weight
8 ounces to 2 pounds (0.23 kilogram to 0.91 kilogram) per hobble
Sources
Beckel Canvas Products
Colorado Saddlery Company
Crooked Pine Saddle Shop
Dale Pack Station
Bill DeCarteret
Equine Edition
Glenn Sports
Ray Holes Saddle Company
Merritt's Saddlery
Morgan Horse Products
Ralide-West
Salem Tent and Awning Company
Singletree Saddle Shop
Soda Creek Western Outfitters
Chris Tornow
Trail Rider Supply, Inc.
Valley Vet Supply
Walker's Pack Saddlery and Outdoor Supply
Whip and Spur Saddlery
The Wilderness Trader
Wyoming Outdoor Industries, Inc.
Farm and ranch supply stores
Cost
$11 to $70 per hobble
Picket Hobbles
Description
A picket hobble is attached to one front foot and a picket rope. It is made of leather, nylon, or biothane and comes with a swivel or heavy D-ring. Fleece-lined picket hobbles are available.
Stock confined with a picket hobble must be moved often to prevent overgrazing.
Weight
4 ounces to 1 pound (0.11 kilogram to 0.45 kilogram) per hobble
Sources
Colorado Saddlery Company
Crooked Pine Saddle Shop
Dale Pack Station
Glenn Sports
Ray Holes Saddle Company
Merritt's Saddlery
Morgan Horse Products
Salem Tent and Awning Company
Soda Creek Western Outfitters
Chris Tornow
Trail Rider Supply, Inc.
Walker's Pack Saddlery and Outdoor Supply
Whip and Spur Saddlery
The Wilderness Trader
Wyoming Outdoor Industries
Local saddle shops
Cost
$7 to $17 per hobble
Picket Pins
Description
A picket pin is usually 15 inches long (0.38 meter) and made of tapered steel or iron. A swivel type is available.
A picket pin eliminates the need to cut a wooden stake, or to picket animals to a log or tree. A lightweight auger-type steel pin helps prevent overgrazing since it is easy to move. See pages 51 and 52 for picket pin drawings.
Weight
2 pounds to 3 pounds (0.91 kilogram to 1.36 kilograms) per pin
Sources
Colorado Saddlery Company
Walkers Pack Saddlery and Outdoor Supply
The Wilderness Trader
Local farm and ranch stores
Cost
$15 per pin
Tree-Saver Straps
Description
Tree-saver straps are made from 2 inch (0.05 meter) nylon webbing, and have adjustable self-locking V-buckles. They are 6 feet to 9 feet (1.83 meters to 2.75 meters) long.
A tree-saver strap protects the tree bark from rope chafe, and the self-locking buckle allows the rope to be easily pulled tight. Two tree-saver straps can be used with rope to form an adjustable highline between two trees. A highline provides a place to tie stock so they are well away from tree roots that are easily damaged from trampling. See pages 53 and 54.
Weight
8 ounces (0.23 kilogram) per strap
Sources
Beckel Canvas Products
Central Oregon Appaloosa Assoc.
Ray Holes Saddle Company
Salem Tent and Awning Company
Cost
$25 per pair
-Top-
Liquid Fuel Stoves
Description
Stainless steel single, double, or triple burner liquid fuel stoves are available. Liquid fuels include unleaded or leaded gas, aviation gas, white gas, kerosene, or camping fuel. Multi-fuel stoves are available. Burning time is 1 to 2 hours.
These stoves are portable and compact, are available in a variety of sizes and models, and have numerous accessories. The fuel is economical, does not burn as clean as pressurized fuel, and requires care to transport. Stoves require a cool-down time before refilling the tank.
Weight
16.7 ounces to 19 pounds (0.48 kilogram to 8.63 kilograms) per stove
Sources
Coleman Outdoor Products, Inc.
Don Gleason's Campers Supply, Inc.
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Cost
$20 to $80 per stove
Pressurized Gas Stoves
Description
Pressurized gas stoves are made of stainless steel, with or without an enamel finish. The stoves use liquid propane (LP) or butane gas, and are available in various sizes and shapes. 1- to 4-burner stoves are available with a cooking time of 1 to 6 hours.
These stoves are portable and compact. They have few working parts, burn clean, and the fuel is convenient to transport. Several appliances may be operated from one central fuel source.
Weight
2 pounds to 40 pounds (0.91 kilogram to 18.16 kilograms) per stove
Sources
Cabela's
Cambridge Welding
Century Tool and Manufacturing Company
Coleman Outdoor Products, Inc.
Don Gleason's Campers Supply, Inc.
Nelson/Weather-Rite
Partner Steel Company, Inc.
The Wilderness Trader
Wyoming Outdoor Industries, Inc.
Cost
$20 to $358 per stove
Solar Stoves
Description
Solar stoves are powered by the sun. They are made with an aluminum inner chamber, high-tech insulation, silicone rubber seals, a tempered glass door, a high-impact plastic exterior, and specular-finish aluminum fold-down reflectors. They are portable and very easy to operate.
Solar stoves use radiant and collective heat rather than fuel. The season of the year and the availability of sunshine need to be considered.
Weight
9 pounds to 30 pounds (4.09 kilograms to 13.62 kilograms) per stove
Sources
Burns-Milwaukee, Inc.
Wendy and Cindy Originals, Inc.
Cost
$159 to $199 per stove
Solid Fuel Stoves
Description
Solid fuel stoves are made of steel or black iron and burn wood, wood pellets, paper, charcoal or any similar dry fuels. Various shapes and sizes are available. Burning time varies with the size of the stove and the amount of fuel used. Many fold for easy carrying and storage.
These stoves are durable and efficient, and are often used in wall tents. The bulk and weight of most of these stoves limit their use to camps supported by stock. Some models are compact, collapsible, and easily packed. Fuel may not be available in all locations.
Weight
3 pounds to 60 pounds (1.36 kilograms to 27.24 kilograms) per stove
Sources
Beckel Canvas Products
C & S Welding
Cambridge Welding
Canyon Sheet Metal, Inc.
Colorado Saddlery Company
The Colorado Tent Co.
Kozy Kamp
Gene "Grizzly" Morgan
Nayr Industries
Outfitters Supply
Pyromid
Riley Stove Company
Robertson Enterprises
Sims Stoves
Thunder Mountain Tent and Canvas
Walker's Pack Saddlery and Outdoor Supply
The Wilderness Trader
Wyoming Outdoor Industries, Inc.
Cost
$95 to $239 per stove
-Top-
Cookware
Description
Cookware includes steel, enamel-glazed steel, copper bottom stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron cookware, plus assorted utensils.
Cookware used in outdoor camps is often the same as that used in the home. However, the transportation involved in outdoor use and the need for lightweight cookware has created a market for products especially adapted to camp use. Manufacturers have developed products that are lightweight and can be nested together into a compact package.
Aluminum cookware heats quickly and is lighter than steel or cast iron cookware, but does not hold heat as well. Cast iron and steel are very durable, but are heavy and will rust if not properly seasoned.
Weight
Wide variety of weights
Sources
Beckel Canvas Products
Buckskin Outfitters
CW Classic Welding
Cabela's
Century Tool and Manufacturing
Coleman Outdoor Products, Inc.
Colorado Saddlery Company
Don Gleason's Campers Supply, Inc.
Nelson/Weather-Rite
Old West Outfitters
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Salem Tent and Awning Company
Sims Stoves
Soda Creek Western Outfitters
Trail Rider Supply, Inc.
Walker's Pack Saddlery and Outdoor Supply
The Wilderness Trader
Local sporting goods and variety stores
Cost
Wide range of cost, depending on the item
Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated Food
Description
Lightweight freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are available in main dishes and side dishes. Many are sold at local sporting goods and grocery stores.
Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are lighter and less bulky than fresh or canned foods. There is no danger of spoilage, and no refrigeration is needed. Most foods are precooked and require only a few minutes to reconstitute.
Weight
2 pounds (0.91 kilogram) per person per day
Sources
Campmor
Don Gleason's Campers Supply, Inc.
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Local sporting goods stores
Grocery stores
Cost
$.25 to $30 per package
Reusable Plastic Food Containers
Description
Reusable plastic food containers include plastic jars with snap or screw-on tops and heavy-duty zipper-lock bags.
Transferring foods from glass jars or cans to reusable plastic containers eliminates breakage, weight, and potential litter. When needed, be sure to keep foods refrigerated after opening.
Weight
1 ounce to 3 ounces (0.03 kilogram to 0.08 kilogram) per container
Sources
Campmor
Don Gleason's Campers Supply, Inc.
Nelson/Weather-Rite
Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Local sporting goods stores
Cost
$.75 to $15 per container
 |
E-mail: