Climbing and hiking equipment used in the Pacific Northwest around 1912 and 1915 was inexpensive and uncomplicated compared with today's equipment, much of it was homemade. Enterprising men and women bought cotton "forestry cloth," woolen fabric and blanket material from which to craft bedding and warm clothing. The U.S. sporting goods industry was just beginning to develop more efficient equipment. Advanced design ideas were imported from Europe, based on generations of mountaineering experience there.

A large part of the Mountaineers membership in the early part of the 20th century was made up of professional people such as teachers, lawyers, bankers and investors, shopkeepers and small business owners. Most of the teachers were women. Of course there were student members, too, most of whom were the offspring of professional parents. This middleclass element, while comfortable financially, was not rich. They read the ads and looked for bargains.

Northwest weather was just as unpredictable a hundred years ago as it is now. Tents used to brave the weather ranged in complexity from a single canvas tarpaulin hung over a rope, to 12'x12' deluxe center pole tents that looked very much like tents still available today. The canvas was normally treated for water resistance. "Rubber blankets" provided floor covering in wet areas. Pack animals were often depended on for carrying the heavy dunnage.

Mountaineers were sometimes offered special discount prices by local businesses. "Compac Simplex Tents," similar to a pup tent, sold for from $6.00 to $11.50. A newly developed tent, sleeping bag, and pack combination was called the "El Comancho." The tent-bed was permanently attached to the Packsack. When taken down it neatly folded up inside the pack.