Mountain Man Monday 6/29
#8630849
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
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Joined: Oct 2009
east central WI
k snow
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
east central WI
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Let's take a look at the sleeping arrangements of the Western trappers and traders. Oftentimes they slept under the stars, regardless of the weather. Buffalo robes and blankets were the typical bedding. From Rufus Sage: The bed of a mountaineer is an article neither complex in its nature nor difficult in its adjustment. A single buffalo robe folded double and spread upon the ground, with a rock, or knoll, or some like substitute for a pillow, furnishes the sole base-work upon which the sleeper reclines, and, enveloped in an additional blanket or robe, contentedly enjoys his rest. Wishing to initiate myself to the new mode of life before me, I was not slow to imitate the example of the promiscuous throng, and the lapse of a few moments found me in a fair way to pass quite pleasantly my first night’s repose in the open air.From Henry Spalding: and commenced our camps — since which time the ground has been our table, our chairs, and, with a few blankets, our bed.From F.A. Wislizenus, M.D. (a rare reference to tents being used): At night stakes (pickets) are driven into the earth at some distance from each other, and the animals are fastened to them by ropes. After we had attended to our animals, and had eaten our supper, we sprawled around a fire, and whiled away the evening with chatting and smoking; then wrapped ourselves in our woolen blankets,-the only bed one takes with one-and slept for the first time under our little tents, of which we had seven.From John Ball: I stood this change of life and living about as well as the mountaineers, and better than most of the new ones at it, and as to a camp life I rather enjoyed its ways. I had for bed purposes, the half of a buffalo robe, an old camlet cloak with a large cape, and a blanket. I spread the robe on the ground, wrapped the blanket about my feet and the cloak around me, throwing the cape loosely over my head to break off the moonshine, and a saddle for my pillow. And oh! I always slept most profoundly. We had tents, but it never raining and but little dew, we did not use them.From W.A. Ferris: “At the close of the day” we retired to rest, in the open prairie, as usual, with a blanket for a bed, a saddle for a pillow, a robe for a covering, and the clear blue star‑studded sky for a canopy.Camp fire at night, by A.J. Miller ![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2026/06/full-13020-295874-campfire.png)
"in the midst of a savage wilderness to depend entirely upon their unassisted strength and hardihood"
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Re: Mountain Man Monday 6/29
[Re: k snow]
#8630866
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
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Joined: Dec 2006
Piney va. soon be 19
cotton
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Piney va. soon be 19
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ifin i went to sleep on the ground a team of big horses couldn't get me up the next morning
John 3/16
ifin your gonna be dumb ya gotta be tough VTA life member
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Re: Mountain Man Monday 6/29
[Re: k snow]
#8630896
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
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Joined: Sep 2013
Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Green County Wisconsin
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I have slept on the ground a few times hunting not over night just a nap , been walking all day , just find a nice divet in the ground full of leaves and lay down gun laying across my lap
generally wake up as it is almost dark and I am freezing.
I would think a well oiled buffalo hide under and over would keep the damp of the ground and the cold that settles in away decent.
mine is usually in November and I am wearing snow snow pants and coat.
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: Mountain Man Monday 6/29
[Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE]
#8630905
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
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Joined: Oct 2009
east central WI
k snow
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
east central WI
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I have slept on the ground a few times hunting not over night just a nap , been walking all day , just find a nice divet in the ground full of leaves and lay down gun laying across my lap
generally wake up as it is almost dark and I am freezing.
I would think a well oiled buffalo hide under and over would keep the damp of the ground and the cold that settles in away decent.
mine is usually in November and I am wearing snow snow pants and coat. Getting insulation under you is key, I think. If I have two blankets, I'll put three layers under me and one over me. I've also used deer and bear skins under me, those work very nice. And a good hole for your hip to fit into goes a long way to being comfortable.
"in the midst of a savage wilderness to depend entirely upon their unassisted strength and hardihood"
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Re: Mountain Man Monday 6/29
[Re: k snow]
#8630911
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
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Joined: Dec 2006
Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Oregon
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As a kid I used to take "siestas" wherever I felt like it. One time a neighbor was walking across his hayfield and happened upon me asleep in 3 foot tall hay. I guess that startled him pretty bad.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Mountain Man Monday 6/29
[Re: beaverpeeler]
#8630932
47 seconds ago
47 seconds ago
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Joined: May 2011
Michigan
coonlove
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Michigan
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As a kid I used to take "siestas" wherever I felt like it. One time a neighbor was walking across his hayfield and happened upon me asleep in 3 foot tall hay. I guess that startled him pretty bad. Good thing he didn't decide to mow hay that day😇
"I'm the paterfamilias"
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