17th july 2003Thoreau made a camping trip in July 1858, to the mountains of New Hampshire. Here's his still-useful luggage list:
Three strong check shirts.
Two pairs socks. Neck ribbon and handkerchief. Three pocket-handkerchiefs. One thick waistcoat. One thin (or half-thick) coat. One thick coat (for mountain). A large, broad india-rubber knapsack, with a broad flap. A flannel shirt. India-rubber coat. Three bosoms (to go and come in). A napkin. Pins, needles, thread. A blanket. A cap to lie in at night. Tent (or a large simple piece of india-rubber cloth for the mountain tops?). Veil and gloves (or enough millinet to cover all at night). Map and compass. Plant book and paper. Paper and stamps. Botany, spy-glass, microscope. Tape, insect-boxes. Jack-knife and clasp-knife. Fish-line and hooks. Matches. Soap and dish-cloths. Waste-paper and twine. Iron spoon. Pint dipper with a pail-handle added (not to put out the fire), and perhaps a bag to carry water in. Frying-pan, only if you ride. Hatchet (sharp), if you ride, and perhaps in any case on mountain, with a sheath to it. Hard-bread (sweet crackers good); a moist, sweet plum cake very good and lasting; pork, corned beef or tongue, sugar, tea or coffee, and a little salt. That plum cake: I want some. Very good with the tea.
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