Old-style "Säumen"
Old-style "Säumen"
How to be more old-fashioned in a world of modern ultra-light hiking
Well, well, well, look at us fancy modern hikers with our ultra-light gear and high-tech gadgets. Back in the old days, we didn't have any of that fancy stuff - we had to rely on pack animals to carry our stuff for us!
But hey, maybe those old-timers were onto something. While we're out here sweating bullets with our featherweight backpacks, they were chillin' like villains, letting their trusty mules and donkeys do all the heavy lifting. Talk about hiking in style!
Sure, our gear may be ultralight and waterproof, but can it bray and wag its tail? I think not. And while we may be fast and nimble on our feet, those pack animals had their own special kind of agility - ever seen a donkey navigate a rocky mountain trail like a pro? It's truly a sight to behold.
So maybe we should take a cue from our furry four-legged friends of the past and embrace the pack animal lifestyle. Who needs fancy gear when you have a donkey named Burrito carrying all your stuff?
There’s an old German word for this practice: Säumen, which you could literally translate as walking with pack animals, such as a mule, donkey or a horse. It goes back to the word “Saum,” which has been a unit of weight. It was often used in the context of pack animals, such as horses or mules, which were commonly used to transport goods over long distances in the medieval and early modern periods. The Saum was a measure of the weight of goods that could be carried by these pack animals.
For example, a pack animal could typically carry a load of one Saum, which would equate to approximately 120 kilograms of weight. This was an important consideration when planning long-distance trade routes or military campaigns, as the amount of goods that could be transported was a key factor in determining their success.
In this way, the unit of measurement "Saum" was closely tied to the praxis of using pack animals for transportation, and played an important role in the economic and military activities of the time.
The practice of transporting goods by pack animals has undergone significant changes over time, as advances in transportation technology and infrastructure have rendered it less necessary.
In the medieval and early modern periods, pack animals were the primary means of transporting goods over long distances. Pack trains, consisting of several animals laden with goods, were a common sight on trade routes and military expeditions.
However, with the advent of wheeled vehicles such as carts and wagons, the use of pack animals gradually declined. The Industrial Revolution brought further changes, as railroads and steamships made it possible to transport goods over much greater distances in a shorter amount of time. This made pack animals largely obsolete for long-distance transportation.
Today, pack animals are still used in some parts of the world for local transportation of goods. But what about hiking? You may think that hauling your gear around in a sleek, modern backpack is the way to go, but have you ever considered the benefits of using a trusty mule instead?
For one thing, mules are the ultimate heavy-lifting champions. While you're struggling to hoist your measly 15kg load, a mule could easily carry a whopping 120kg without breaking a sweat. Talk about gains, am I right?
But that's not all! Mules are also like the four-legged ninja warriors of the animal kingdom. They can handle rough terrain with ease, making them the ideal choice for transporting goods in the great outdoors. And let's not forget their eco-friendliness - unlike your gas-guzzling vehicle or high-tech gear, a mule's fuel source is all natural.
And let's face it, mules are pretty darn cute too. Who wouldn't want a furry, floppy-eared companion to accompany them on their outdoor adventures? A mule just might be the secret weapon you never knew you needed.
I absolutely love hiking, but I hate the thought of lugging around all the gear I need for a multi-day adventure. So, I had a brilliant idea: why not enlist the help of a trusty mule to carry my stuff while I get to enjoy the scenery and fresh air?
Of course, that was easier said than done. I had absolutely zero experience with horses or mules, and let's face it, those big, demanding animals can be pretty intimidating. But then I got to thinking ... what better way to challenge myself than by embarking on an epic journey across the Alps with a pack mule by my side?
Sure, it might be a bit of a daunting task, but it's definitely more exciting than saving up for a new car or splurging on a tropical vacation. And who knows? With a little bit of patience, practice, and a whole lot of determination, I just might become a seasoned mule-packing pro.
And thus, I've hatched a hilariously quirky plan to bring this adventure to life!
Step one: Get myself a mule. Although it sounds challenging, I might just wander out into the wilderness and call out "Here, muley-muley!" until one comes trotting up to me.
Step two: Introduce myself to my new friend. I could speak in a calm, soothing voice and offer lots of treats. I might even sing a mule-themed song, like "Donkey Riding" or "The Mule Song."
Step three: Teach my mule some hiking tricks. I could start with simple commands like "go" and "stop" and work my way up to more advanced maneuvers like "jump over that log" and "find us a great campsite." If my mule proves to be stubborn, I can bribe it with some tasty snacks.
Step four: Hit the trails! With my trusty companion by my side, I'm ready to take on any adventure. I'll pack plenty of snacks, and I won't be surprised if my mule ends up leading the way.
I was pretty excited to see where this adventure will take me, and I couldn’t wait to bond with my new friend.
As expected, my funny plan didn't quite work out as I had hoped. I did manage to take the first step and acquire a trusty mule, but little did I know that was the easy part. Step two proved to be much more challenging - it turns out that the key to winning over a new mule friend is patience, respect, and gentle handling. While I like to think I've finally mastered this, it definitely took longer than I anticipated.
Now, I find myself halfway through step three and it seems like there's still a long way to go before we can truly have some fun together and move on to step four. But hey, I'm not one to give up easily, and I'm excited to see where this new adventure will take us.
Our four-legged friends
Right now, we've got our hands full with three furry companions: Socke, our trusty mule who's supposed to carry all our luggage; Sonne, the pony we enlisted to give our little ones a break from hiking; and last but not least, Sokrates - the mischievous little colt who's always up for a good time.
Our lofty goal? To cross the Alps with this motley crew by our side. Of course, it goes without saying that this adventure will require a lot more time and preparation than we initially thought. But hey, who needs to plan everything out perfectly when you've got a mule, a pony, and a playful colt to keep you company? We're ready for whatever challenges come our way, even if that means a few unexpected detours and plenty of laughs along the way.
Socke
Meet Socke, our trusty mule gelding who was born in the beautiful country of France back in 2010. Standing at around 150cm at the withers, he may not be the tallest of his kind, but he's got a big personality to make up for it. Although he still needs a bit of training, we're confident that with time and patience, he'll become the ultimate pack animal.
Sure, he can be a bit timid at times, but who can blame him? Hiking in the great outdoors can be a scary thing, especially when you're used to the comforts of a cozy barn. But that's not stopping us - we've been taking him on short and long hikes around our neighborhood, slowly building up his confidence one step at a time.
And soon, we'll be adding a pack saddle to his repertoire. Who knows, maybe one day he'll be carrying our entire luggage across the Alps like it's no big deal. Watch out, world - Socke the mule is on the move!
Sonne
Say hello to Sonne, our beautiful Coloured Irish Cob mare who hails all the way from the Emerald Isle herself. Born in Ireland in 2012, this majestic creature is a real gem of a find. When we first acquired her, we had no idea she was pregnant. But in January 2023, she surprised us with a precious colt whom we affectionately named Sokrates.
These days, Sonne is our trusty companion on our hiking adventures. Not only is she a joy to be around, but she's also responsible for carrying our tired children when their little legs just can't take it anymore. Who needs a stroller when you have a trusty steed to do the heavy lifting, am I right?
But don't let her sweet demeanor fool you - Sonne is one tough cookie. She never complains (unlike some people I know), and we feel lucky to have her as part of our adventure squad.
Sokrates
Sokrates was born on our farm on January 1st 2023. He's a cute and lively colt who enjoys exploring and playing around. He often runs and jumps around the fields, showing off his energy and curiosity. He's not old enough to carry anything or anyone yet, but we hope that he'll eventually grow into a strong and reliable companion for our hikes. For now, he's just happy being himself, and providing us with endless entertainment and joy.