The main tilt is used as a base of supplies, and here reserve
provisions are stored together with accumulations of furs as they are
caught. Fat salt pork, flour, baking powder or soda, salt, tea and
Barbadoes molasses complete the list of provisions carried into the
wilderness from the trading post. Other provisions must be hunted.
Each man provides himself with a frying pan, a tin cup, a spoon or
two, a tin pail to serve as a tea kettle and sometimes a slightly
larger pail for cooking. On his belt he carries a sheath knife, which
he uses for cooking, skinning, eating and general utility. He rarely
encumbers himself with a fork.
For use on the trail each man has a stove similar to the one that
heats the tilt, a small cotton tent, and a toboggan.
From the base tilt the trapping paths or trails lead out. Each trapper
has a path which he has established and which he works alone. He
hauls his sleeping bag, provisions and other equipment on his
toboggan or, as he calls it, "flat sled." He carries his rifle in his
hand and his ax is stowed on the toboggan, for he never knows when a
quick shot will get him a pelt or a day's food.
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