Re: MtMan-List: Is anyone living the life?

[John Kramer <kramer@kramerize.com>]

Just a thought on a new subject.

Recently on this list we’ve learned that fine cloth, English & American
blankets, beaver, guns, galena, powder, hand forged traps, and gold have
all held their value against monetary inflation over the past 150 or so
years.  Food and whiskey are relatively cheaper.  Medicine and lawyers were
a lot cheaper then.  Horses have always been variably priced and about the
same variables in grade and blood stock remain.   I have run a few numbers
and found we can extend the exchange rate to most items of first rate hand
made goods like blacksmithing, hand layed paper, fine boots, copperware,
tinware and much more.

This would seem to indicate the fur trade is still a viable enterprise.  If
one is willing to live as one would have in 1830 something; one could trap
their fortune still.  Is anyone out there doing it?  How close can we get
to then in the twentieth century?

When I was on the trail I didn’t even carry a camera as I wanted as little
20th century intrusion as possible, and neither cost of film nor weight of
a camera were affordable.  Those living the life are not likely hooked up
to this list.  Those who have, with now maybe a little rheumatis’ in their
bones, may be.  What I am curious about is do we know of any out there
doing it right now?  If there are: someone knows.  Please let us know.

My journada through the past resulted in years of culture shock and long
readjustment and reacclimation to the late twentieth century.  Because so
much now makes so little sense when viewed with a little horse sense.  Life
on the trail is more reasoned.  One life is not markedly superior one is
physically more demanding.  Both can be comfortable.  As long as you know
how to be wet and comfortable.

Those who have been out there what do you think?  Is the fur trade still a
viable, albeit difficult, enterprise?  I think it is; and if so it means
the fur trade never died.   Mining gold remains profitable for a few.  If
someone is still out there living the life, that is empirical evidence, if
someone goes out tomorrow, it will be.  Tater always claimed the fur trade
never died.

John…

Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.
john kramer@kramerize.com