Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Forest Service Clack Packboard |
Object Name |
Frame, Pack |
Catalog Number |
2014.046.001 |
Description |
Forest Service Clack Packboard ca 1930 >> Clack Pack Frame was patented October 29, 1918 (1,282,756) by John H. Clack an employee of the U. S. Department of Agriculture [Forest Service], residing in Kalispell, MT. Patent application filed April 21, 1916. It was in Region1, 6 and perhaps other regions. >>The Clack Pack frame was used in Region 6, on the Olympic National Forest. When Steve Ricketts retired, returned as a volunteer and documented the two Clack Pack Frames. One had Snider written on it for the Snider Work Center on the old Shelton District. From Kent Mays - The, "Clackboard" fire pack as it was called was used in Region 6. It was probably the most uncomfortable pack board ever created. But it did serve a useful purpose. I used it often on the Willamette National Forest, and specifically on the McKenzie and Blue River Districts from 1955 through 1958. The version I used included a 4 foot square piece of canvas which was wrapped around 3 days of C or K rations, a canvas water bag, a roll of toilet paper, and a headlamp with extra batteries. Also attached to the pack was a "lady shovel" (the shorter handle with detachable shovel). When dispatched to, "chase smoke", one merely grabbed a "Clackboard" from the fire cache, picked up whatever additional tools (usually a Pulaski and a crosscut saw. The length of the crosscut we took depended on if we felt we were going to be in big old growth or high up on a ridge with smaller diameter timber.). We checked out the standard Forest Service compass (most often we used our own which was attached to our cruiser vest), was handed a fire report and map from the dispatcher and off we went. As portable short wave radios became more available we may have taken one, but the early radios were bulky, with spotty coverage, so sometimes we went with no communications capability. Basically, we were considered to be self-sufficient for 3 days. The 4 foot square canvas was to be used for cover when sleeping. We soon learned that it was impossible to cover yourself with that canvas for a comfortable sleep, so typically we worked on the fire all night then when the sun warmed things up took a snooze. >> This pack frame was found in a Frenchtown, MT area barn >> All straps appear to be present >> Very dirty; Metal rings are rusty >> Wood frame is in good condition Photographed |
Date |
1930ca |
Year Range from |
1918 |
Year Range to |
1935 |
Dimensions |
H-21.8 W-16 inches |
Material |
Wood/Metal/Canvas |
Subjects |
Clack Pack Frame Packing equipment Backpack |
Search Terms |
Tools |
Catalog date |
2014-10-31 |
Collection |
Nelson, J. T. |