In its position on the back the pack should be carried low so the bulge fits the hollow of the back. If too high there is too much backward strain on the head and shoulders: if it is too low it interferes with the gait. One can ease up the impact of a pack by letting the knees give a little with each step. In the case of heavy loads or a weak neck the strain can occasionally be relieved by clasping the hands behind the head or by slipping the straps from the forehead to the top of the head and grasping it with both hands about “ear high” so as to get a straight pull downward instead of backward. CONTENTS OF THE PACK With a properly chosen pack a man can comfortably carry on his back all that is needed for a two weeks’ stay in the wilderness, inclusive of shelter, bed, cook kit, simple first aid requisites and the necessary provisions. Besides these the pack must carry miscellaneous items of duffle as follows: Extra clothing may be very meager indeed. A gray all wool sweater for protection against cold, mainly at night or to be worn when washing the shirt, and two pairs of heavy all wool socks are all that one needs. In the way of toilet articles include a tooth brush and a tube of paste and two brown crash towels for the daily rub down. A bar of wool soap suffices for toilet and laundry purposes. The map mounted on cloth should be encased in a waterproof envelope. Provide a repair kit consisting of a few items for simple mending--a spool of stout linen thread No. 12, with suitable needles, a few rivets, safety pins, some waxed harness thread, needles and a light awl. A good axe is almost indispensable. Although an experienced camper may learn to get along well no matter what is lacking, without an axe he is seriously handicapped for food, warmth and camp making and often protection from beasts and insects depend on the axe and the fire it makes possible. A gun may be dispensed with but never the axe. Don’t try to economize too much in its weight. For average trips and moderately cold nights a light belt axe of say one and one-fourth pound head is about right. It should have a long helve and it will then give greater power than a heavy one with a short helve. Pocket axes are not advisable. If the nights are cold and you have to keep up an all night fire in front of the leanto, an hour’s work will enable you to spend the night fairly comfortable. You will need a large amount of good dry wood. To secure this the axe had better be a well tempered, light regulation chopping axe of say a two pound head and a thirty inch handle. Never take a poor axe into the wilderness where comfort and ofttimes life depend on it. Soft tempered edges bend where thin and if tempered too hard they will break in frozen wood or knots.