itter sleet and snow; when
winter rains are making out-of-door life unendurable; when season,
weather and law combine to make it "close time" for beast, bird and
man, it is well that a few congenial spirits should, at some favorite
trysting place, gather around the glowing stove and exchange yarns,
opinions and experiences. Perhaps no two will exactly agree on the best
ground for an outing...or half a dozen other points that may be
discussed. But one thing all admit. Each and every one has gone to his
chosen ground with too much impedimenta, too much duffle; and nearly
all have used boats at least twice as heavy as they need to have been.
The temptation to buy this or that bit of indispensable camp-kit has
been too strong and we have gone to the blessed woods, handicapped with
a load fit for a pack-mule. This is not how to do it.

Go light; the lighter the better, so that you have the simplest
material for health, comfort and enjoyment.

Of course, if you intend to have a permanent camp and can reach it by
boat or wagon, lightness is not so important, though even in that case
it is well to guard against taking a lot of stuff that is likely to
prove of more weight than worth--only to leave it behind when you come
out.

As to clothing for the woods, a good deal of nonsense has been written
about "strong, coarse woolen clothes." You do not want coarse woolen
clothes. Fine woolen cassimere of medium thickness for coat, vest and
pantaloons, with no cotton lining. Color, slate gray or dead-leaf
(either is good). Two soft, thick woolen shirts; two pairs of fine, but
substantial, woolen drawers; two pairs of strong woolen socks or
stockings; these are what you need and all you need in the way of
clothing for the woods, excepting hat and boots, or gaiters. Boots are
best--providing you do not let yourself be inveigled into wearing a
pair of long-legged heavy boots with thick soles, as has been often
advised by writers who knew no better. Heavy, long legged boots are a
weary, tiresome incumbrance on a hard tramp through rough woods. Even
moccasins are better. Gaiters, all sorts of high shoes, in fact, are
too bothersome about fastening and unfastening. Light boots are best.
Not thin, unserviceable affairs, but light as to actual weight. The
following hints will give an idea for the best footgear for the woods;
let them be single soled, single backs and single fronts, except light,
short foot-linings. Back of solid "country kip