Tumpline - Ultimate lightweight bp

“Ever use a tumpline. They can hold a lot! Just tie it to a bedroll and food pack and you're off.

Duluth bp's include them. The Duluth Pack #4 (misspelled in their site) is a real cargo pack. I used one for years and the tumpline really helped with heavy loads. I used to call it a head strap.”

“How does that feel on the head after about 25 miles?

8)”

“numb, I bet. My longest portage was 1.5 miles. The bp was loaded heavily, the tumpline was used, and I was carrying an 86 pound canoe plus paddles. It was no problem and I felt good. Then I returned for the real load, the cooler w/ice and lots of dark, cold ones, and the fishing gear. (But now I don't believe that you can carry bottles or cans into the BWCA.)

I tried a bp trip a year ago with my 38-year old Duluth #4. The leather straps gave out (rot) after one mile. I figure the pack is equivalent to the internal frame packs like my JanSport Alaska 115, which can provide 7,000 to 7,800 cu. inches.”

“I guess numb is better then pain!

8)”

“THX nowslimmer--that was interesting :)”

“Talk about minimalism! Cool thing is, the tumpline could probably double as a rock sling during the night to ward off invading ninjas.”

“Looks like a CHUMPline to me.”

“If you've ever read Centennial by James Michener, this is what Pasquinel used to portage 200lbs of compressed beaver pelts several hundred miles. I realize that it's fiction, but one of the hallmarks of Michener's works is historical accuracy.

Personally, I can't imagine the using one, but I suppose they must work.”

“It appears that tumplines were used extensive during the 1700's and the 1800's, especially by the military. I've found this by following some of the links in the initial post of this string. I've found a lot of interesting material, like this hat. I just have to get one!”