40 miles on the NPT "1920s Vintage Style"

Prologue:
About a dozen or so years ago after one of my NPT thru-hikes  I realized the trail would be 100 years old in the not so distant future. To celebrate her birthday, I planned on a vintage trip using gear and food only available in 1924. Over the next years I would spend countless hours reading and researching the ways of backpackers in the early 20^th century. They did not refer to our hobby as backpacking, instead there were multiple terms used such as tramping or pedestrian camping. One of my first takeaways was the obsession with pack weight of these trampers. It is often mentioned in the backpacking community about heavy gear and the new concept of lightweight backpacking. A common refrain of lightweight backpacking is the lightest gear is that which you do not take. The old-timers were the O.G.s of the lightweight backpacking. G.W. Sears aka Nessmuk wrote, "Go light, the lighter the better, so that you have the simplest material for health, comfort and enjoyment." Materials for tents were recommended as "balloon silk" or "fine egyptian cotton". Eider down sleeping bags were even available for those willing to pay for it; just like now. The compulsion to reduce weight is probably best captured by Stewart Edward White's book "Camp and Trail". He dedicated almost an entire chapter on the concept. Here is what he wrote in 1907:

"When you have reached home after your trip, turn your duffle bag upside down on the floor. Separate the contents into three piles. Let pile No. 1 include those articles you have used every day—or nearly that often; let pile No. 2 comprise those you have used but once; and pile No. 3 those you have not used at all. Now, no matter how your heart may yearn over the Patent Dingbat in No. 3, shut your eyes and resolutely discard the two latter piles. "

Besides gear, my other main part of research was cooking and food. All of these early writers had chapters on food and cooking. Many also included recipes for wild game. A few even included the weight savings of different types of provisions like the benefit of dried fruit vs canned. These were simpler times and we have much more variety even in our grocery stores than they did. The main takeaway regarding food was to take simple ingredients and utilize them in a variety of ways to create a multitude of different dishes. A surprise to me was the availability of powdered milk and eggs. The latter of which was often described in not-so pleasant terms. Like now, these woodsmen had their favorite "brands" which they would recommend. It was amusing to read the terminology for items most of which were obvious although some required additional research, For example, julienne (dried vegetables), dessicated fruit, portable soup (boullion). I also spent time researching prepared foods which were available in 1924 such as O'Henry and Baby Ruth candy bars, Underwood Deviled Ham, and Oreos.

Edward Cave had a nice breakdown for a 3-day trip. I started with this list to create my own.
Pack Sack Grub for 3 days
Flour 1.75 lbs
CornMeal 1.25 lbs
Rice 6 oz
Bacon 1 lb
Lard 4oz
sugar 12 oz
Coffee 4 oz
Tea 0.5oz
Baking Powder 2oz
Evaporated Cream 7oz
Salt 4oz
--------------------------------------
TOTAL 6 pounds

The final result of my research and planning resulted in these two lists; gear and food.

Gear List

wooden pack frame canvas pack canvas shoulder bag wool blanket waxed cotton tarp cheesecloth (bugnet) homemade cotton hammock canteen Compass match safe rope twine sewing kit Leather gloves

Aluminum pot steel skillet aluminum "bread pan" ceramic cup folding knife sheath knife spoon waxed cotton bags for food Pendleton Wool shirt lightweight wool shirt wool socks (x2) silk pajamas wool underwear cotton bandana

Clothing worn: linen shirt wool underwear wool pants wool felt hat wool socks LL Bean Boots silk scarf

Food List

Cornmeal Flour w/baking powder & salt added Oatmeal beef jerky bouillon cubes dried mushrooms dried vegetable medley deviled ham

powdered milk coffee O'Henry candy bars Oreos brown sugar raisins dried apples nuts waxed cheese

As far as the trip itself, the thought crossed my mind to hike the original trail as it existed in 1924. But after hiking the existing trail numerous times I am keenly aware of why the trail has been re-routed. Most of the time it was to bypass large flooded sections, in a few cases to reduce paved road walking, and in at least one instance to avoid private land. The last of which would mean it was impossible to hike the original trail even if I wanted to. I also chose to hike SouthBound starting from the Lake Placid Train Station as that is my preferred direction. 

When I was fully packed and set out, my pack with 4 days of food and water was just under 30 pounds.

An incomplete bibliography:
The Boy Scout Hike Book by Edward Cave 1913
Camp and Trail by Stewart Edward White 1907
The Campers Handbook by Thomas Hiram Holding 1908
Camping Out by Warren Hastings Miller 1918
Camp Cookery by Horace Kephart 1910
Hints for Camping and Walking by John Mead Gould 1877
Woodcraft by G.W. Sears 1884

My Journal:

Epilogue:

Much thanks to my good friend Ian for the rides and all my other friends and family for the support and encouragement. Love you all.