18th Century Solo Historical Trek | American Frontier Trekking [Extended]

In this video, I wanted to share more of the footage from my autumn 2023 historic trek. The key points were shared in our “Can I survive 24 hours in the 18th Century” video, but this video provides a calmer, more educational experience with talking only when I’m discussing the equipment I have and the experience I’m having.

I was asked on the “Muzzleloading Forum” about what I learned specifically on this trip. I’ve pasted my response here as well to help anyone looking to learn as I am.

So? What are the lessons learned?
Things you would do differently? - Brokennock

I imagine it will sound silly to guys with years on me, but here goes! Really, there's not much different from modern gear if you did a similar "ultralight" outing or hunt. Not trying at all to overdramatize here, I know it was only a night. Just sharing what I'm taking to the next outing.

Much of my time in these shoes has been a learning experience, I've found that consciously going slow at the start of each outing in them allows me to feel the terrain and get up to speed. After an hour or so I'm back on track and walking just about at the same pace as I do in modern shoes. I think I've said it a lot, but in some ways moving in these shoes is like using cross-country skis. Conscious movements pay dividends and don't wear me out.

Food is crucial, at least it was to me. I'm not a big guy but the 8 miles I put in made me hungry. The day and evening were fine but I couldn't believe how much my stomach hurt for more food at night. I chomped on some dry biscuits and that helped a ton. I think munching every few hours is important for sustainment over a longer period of time. The level of hunger I felt was akin to the days I've worked construction or built fences if that gives you some context. The amount of work you put in can be adjusted of course.

I took a 1 gallon brass "trade kettle" and it was really overkill for a one man outing. To do something like this again I'd just bring my tin cup. I wouldn't be able to do coffee and oatmeal at the same time, but I found in the cold of the morning I wasn't moving too fast anyway. In the future I might track down a 1/2 gal tin kettle.

The temperature only fluctuated about 20 degrees, from 60s to 39-40, but it didn't feel like the same 40 in modern gear. There wasn't any rain, but boy a lot of moisture. After midnight everything was damp, then by 2am the damp got cold, my face was out of my blanket for much of the night and when that cold rolled around, it was NIPPY as we say around here.

The moisture affected everything, my shoes, my blankets, me. All the dry tinder I gathered in the day was damp. I'll always cover my tinder in the future or put it away in a sack. Along with this, I thought I could skate by not changing socks at night but that was a mistake. I could have toughed it out by getting closer to the fire, but it's much easier and documented to change into your night socks. A pair of "camp" moccasins would have helped to keep the moisture and cold out of my feet.

I didn't take a shelter, as many documents mention outings without them. I didn't really miss it and the weight savings were nice on my back. I think a cover would have helped keep the moisture off me and my gear though, and might have held in some heat. I really like the pack set up with two blankets, but I need to work on how I use them at night. I slept in them like a sleeping bag most of the night with two halves underneath and two halves on top of me. It worked, but I think and I've been told there are better ways to wrap them to keep ya warm. If you had a good fire and reflection, I think you could do much colder temps with two blankets and survive if you were smart. I hope to try it in the future.

I didn't want to use any leaves to insulate or pad my bedding for fear of ticks in these parts. All my gear was permathyned and I never found a single tick during or after the outing.

I had plenty of firewood, but I should have prioritized some larger branches for the overnight. As shown in my video, I fought my fire all night. More wood in the 4-6" diameter range would have helped.

I used just under 8L of water while I was out. Like I said, it wasn't hot but I found myself drafting pretty hard to catch up after hiking. I could have slowed this, but had it and figured I may as well drink it.

It's been a while since I've been able to get out like this, so much of it was 're-learning' for me, but I'm excited to keep making time to dive in deeper. I've got plans in the works to go out for longer and less equipment and do my best to improve.