Tools of The Trade

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Knot the only way to sling salt

Say goodbye to those bulky boxes and salt racks this winter and say hello to four simple tools that will save you time and money. This method of packing salt when done properly makes it nearly impossible to loose a load on the trail.

FIGURE 1

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

WHAT YOU’LL NEED (figure 1):

• A pack saddle A Slinging rope (40ft of 1/2” cotton rope)

• A Manny a.k.a. Pack Canvas (about 4’x6’)

• A Lash Rope (40ft of 1/2” poly rope)

• 2, 3, 4 or 5 Salt/Protein Blocks

PREPARE YOUR GEAR (figure 2,3,4):

FIGURE 2

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

Attach your sling rope with a clove hitch on front saw buck in the middle of the rope, about 20ft on each side.

FIGURE 3

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

Lay Manny between saw bucks then wrap each side of your sling rope in a figure 8 pattern on top.

FIGURE 4

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

Separately attach your lash rope in a figure eight fashion on top of the sling rope, or tie and hang of the side of the pack saddle then hit the trail to go pick up your salt.

ATTACH YOUR SALT (figure 5,6,7,8, 9):

FIGURE 5

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

Sling your block snug with a figure 8 and block and cradle bottom with remaining slack.

FIGURE 6

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

Tie off as high as possible and leave a loop for future use. Repeat for the second block.

FIGURE 7

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

FIGURE 8

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

Add top block and secure with remaining slack through existing loops.

FIGURE 9

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

LASH IT DOWN (figure 10):

Cover load with Manny and latch down with the hitch of your choice (a simple diamond will do the trick).

FIGURE 10

©Samuel Bierne Donaldson

TIPS FOR THE TRAIL:

• Keep salt from chewing up your pack saddle with a small blanket or piece of canvas between sawbuck covering the bars.

• Keep blocks high and tight, never low.

• Take into consideration the distance, climb and dead weight. Make sure your pack animal is fit for the trail.