Pack Trains
Amid the many struggles of the gold rush, one of the most prevalent was the lack of access to food, supplies, and resources. Miners had to carry large quantities of supplies through rough terrain, and resources were difficult and expensive to come by. Enter: pack trains.
Animals already played a large role in the development of North America. While there were rough roads near towns, it was virtually impossible to travel between communities with carts or wagons due to the rough terrains, overgrown forests, and deep gullies. By the late 18th century, mining companies in the US began using pack trains of horses and mules to transport coal and move coal cars. As development expanded west, pack trains were also used by surveyors, fur trappers, and traders to carry goods westward to California. Harnesses and saddle bags were made for horses and mules to carry equipment securely on either side of their bodies.
A PACK TRAIN IN SILVERTON BC
Pack trains occupied a significant role in the gold rush, as they were able to transport equipment, travel through different regions inaccessible by boat or vehicle, and carry large amounts of necessities at once. Aside from a brief and unsuccessful bout of using camels, the most common animals found in pack trains throughout the area were mules, donkeys, horses, and oxen. Mules and donkeys were reliable, horses were fast and good for a variety of terrains, and oxen, despite being the slower choice, were steadier and able to carry more weight. Pack animals had to be carefully selected as they are required to have skills such as being comfortable with other animals, being comfortable with ropes and harnesses, adapting to noisy environments, and capable of handling heavy loads. Loading pack trains was also a delicate process as the weight of each load had to be carefully considered and balanced out well on each side of the animal.
Pack trains also became a business venture for those looking for other money-making opportunities. Throughout the late 1860s, Nam Sing, a Chinese miner and rancher led pack trains between Quesnel and Barkerville, delivering produce into the mining camps.
One of the most well-known packers in the area at the time was Jean Caux Cataline, a French pioneer who arrived in BC to try his hand at the gold rush, though with little success. After several failed attempts in gold mining, Cataline noticed the pressing need for resource and supply transportation. He then went on to start his career as a successful packer, leading large pack trains all over British Columbia. He would travel around the province with up to 60 mules and half a dozen hired men. The group carried hundreds of pounds of supplies, resources, and provisions through BC’s rough terrain, including at one point a piano.
The development of pack trains came from a need of accessibility and transportation, and they have subsequently contributed to the establishment of countless communities. Today, pack trains are mainly used for recreational purposes, transporting supplies and tools through national parks for workers and tourists. Though they still play a large role in developing countries, continuing the role they have held for centuries.