32 HANDBOOK FOR CAMPERS. 



secured by a rope with a cinch attached which is so tied as to 

 bind the load to the animal. 



The usual packsaddle is of the sawbuck type — consisting of 

 two back plates, to which low crosstrees are bolted in the place 

 of horn and cantle. Packsaddles should be double rig, with 

 breast pad and crupper or breeching. It Is quite necessary that 

 the packsaddle should fit the animal that is to carry it, other- 

 wise galls are almost certain to occur. 



Unless kyacks are used the various articles, except bedding 

 and the bulkier pieces, must be tied in sacks, which are sus- 

 pended from the saddle by means of the sling rope. ( See fig. 5. ) 



SLINGING. 



Two half-hitches are taken in the middle of the sling rope 

 and dropped over the front crosstree. The ends are then looped 

 over the rear crosstree to form the slings (C, C) in which the 

 sacks are hung. The slings are adjusted to the proper position 

 and kept there by taking a turn with the ends (D, E) around 

 the sling loop. When both side packs have been slung, the ends 

 of the sling rope are tied together across the center of the 

 saddle. 



The other sacks, if there are any, are then piled on. The 

 bedding may be rolled up, forming a bundle, or it may be folded 

 once and spread across the pack. Long, slender articles, like 

 fishing rods, shovels, or rakes, should go on top of the load. 



Kyacks are sacks furnished with a pair of loops to hook over 

 the crosstrees. They are the size and shape of the case in which 

 two 5-gallon coal-oil cans are packed, and are made of rawhide, 

 leather, or canvas. Kyacks (also called " alforjas," or, in Cali- 

 fornia, " alforkases " ) are especially convenient for packing j 

 numerous loose articles. 



It is of particular importance that the two sides of the pack] 

 should be evenly balanced. The weights on the two sides should 1 

 be as nearly the same as possible, but where the weight can J 



