* Those who left their homes for Gold Rush were called stampeders.
* So many stampeders came and died of starvation trying to make 600 mile trek that the Canadian government enforced a 1 Ton provision year supply before they will allow them to cross the border. Some of the provisions included:
Klondikers supply list
- 150 pounds (68 kg) bacon
- 400 pounds (180 kg) flour
- 25 pounds (11 kg) rolled oats
- 125 pounds (57 kg) beans
- 10 pounds (4.5 kg) tea
- 10 pounds (4.5 kg) coffee
- 25 pounds (11 kg) sugar
- 25 pounds (11 kg) dried potatoes
- 25 pounds (11 kg) dried onions
- 15 pounds (6.8 kg) salt
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) pepper
- 75 pounds (34 kg) dried fruits
- 8 pounds (3.6 kg) baking powder
- 8 pounds (3.6 kg) soda
- 0.5 pounds (0.23 kg) evaporated vinegar
- 12 ounces (340 g) compressed soup
- 1 can of mustard
- 1 tin of matches (for four men)
- Stove for four men
- Gold pan for each
- Set of granite buckets
- Large bucket
- Knife, fork, spoon, cup, and plate
- Frying pan
- Coffee and teapot
- Scythe stone
- Two picks and one shovel
- One whipsaw
- Pack strap
- Two axes for four men and one extra handle
- Six 8-inch (200 mm) files and two taper files for the party
- Draw knife, brace and bits, jack plane, and hammer for party
- 200 feet (61 m) 0.375-inch (9.5 mm) rope
- 8 pounds (3.6 kg) of pitch and 5 lb (2.3 kg). of oakum for four men
- Nails, 5 pounds (2.3 kg) each of 6, 8, 10 and 12 penny, for four men
- Tent, 10 by 12 feet (3.0 m × 3.7 m) for four men
- Canvas for wrapping
- Two oil blankets to each boat
- 5 yards (4.6 m) of mosquito netting for each man
- 3 suits of heavy underwear
- 1 heavy Mackinaw coat
- 2 pairs heavy woollen trousers
- 1 heavy rubber-lined coat
- 12 heavy wool socks
- 6 heavy wool mittens
- 2 heavy over shirts
- 2 pairs of heavy, snag proof rubber boots
- 2 pairs of shoes
- 4 pairs of blankets (for two men)
- 4 towels
- 2 pairs of overalls
- 1 suit of oil clothing
- Several changes of summer clothing
- Small assortment of medicines
The list was a suggestion of equipment and supplies sufficient to support a prospector for one year, generated by the Northern Pacific Railroad company in 1897. The total weight is approximately 1 ton, and the estimated cost amounted to $140.
This slowed down the mortality rate for starving stampeders and created a more sensible approach.
* On the white pass train, the emergency supply kit includes a saw, a hammer and an axe.
So what do you think? Could you do it?