07/23/2022
We get asked on a lot of hunting trips or pack trips…. “Why do you guys use the canvas tarps and lash ropes?”
Well we have several reasons Mainly cause it makes us look cool, no not really the number 1 reason we use these is for your gear…. When we pack all of your hunting gear into panniers we want it to arrive safely. By throwing the canvas tarp over everything we have put the lid on, now ur gear is safer from tree branches, trees, rain, snow and brush.
Next the lash rope this helps the mules just as much as it is a lock. Depending on the load we use several different “hitches” to best benefit the animal and securing the load. “Squaw Hitches, basket Hitches, Single Diamonds, Double Diamonds, walkers hitch” all of these are great for different loads, weights and terrains. These hitches will secure ur load down in different spots and also lift the panniers up off your pack animals ribs. Making it more comfortable for your animal to breath while working. Some panniers have 1,2,3, or 5 straps to help secure a load, and you will see us using these straps around the top of the pack saddle to help pull weight forwards or backwards on the animal. We will still use a manty tarp and lash on packs unless we’re packing meat.
Lash ropes and manty tarps also help to secure awkward items, like bow cases, barrels, drums, etc. as well as loose items…. Ever gotten to camp and that boot you stuffed in the pannier to even the weight was gone?? Ya we want to avoid that as much as possible, freak rain storm in summer and ur army duffel bag is soaked with all ur clothes, huge rip in ur sleeping bag from catching on a low hanging branch. We lash and manty tarp to try and avoid these issues.
Now the last reason, have you ever heard the horror story of the guy who went packing up the trail then comes walking out behind his animal with gear strewn through the forest? Well if we ever have an accident, and oh ya we have before we’re not perfect. But having everything tied down, and tarped helps keep it all together so hopefully if it does happen when we get back down to the trailer ur gear is still nicely wrapped up and tied up.
We know it may take us a little extra time, you guys wanna get on the trail and up or down the mountain, but we are doing this for you and your gear. We want to take the best care we can of your gear while it is in our possession, and 99 times outa 100 it’s gonna look like we’re doing it just to be cool. But that 1 time, we may save ur gun in the case, ur bow in the case, spotting scope, clothes dry, sleeping bag in 1 piece, keep all ur boots together…. And it’s making it easier on our pack animals by helping situate the load and allowing them to breath.
If anyone has any questions about doing it and what hitches we throw the most or how
We do it let us know we will try to do a video for ya!!
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And BTW the video Going around of the guy that makes it look like he lashes a load in about 10 seconds…. Is just for show the ropes are supposed to be tight and lifting
