Chapter 9, August, Harvest of the Wilderness Summary and Analysis

August is the best time to travel in the North Country. The insects are nearly gone and the weather tends to be settled. It is also harvest season. Berries are red, for instance. Woodcraft is needed to travel to harvest. Often roughing it requires a balsam bed, and this leads Jim to transition into how he has a very nice mattress and how a pilot friend of his brought it in.

The provisions needed on a camping trip depends on the time of year and whether one is out in the woods the whole time or if one will stop in a permanent camp. One needs three pounds of food per day per man, one pound of meat, at least. You also cannot rely on getting food from the forest. Jim...