Rocky Mountain Life, by Rufus Sage, 1846.
From his travels in the Rocky Mountains in 1841-44.

Page 291 - Wintering on Platte, camped in a large grove of cottonwood upon the
right bank 1842-43
At this place it was our daily practice to fell two or three small trees for
our horses, as we now considered ourselves fully established in winter
quarters. Game was plenty, and wood abundant; nothing, therefore, remained for
us to do but to recruit our horses, eat of the best the prarie afforded, drink
of the crystal waters that rolled by our side, and enjoy life in true mountain
style; nor did we neglect the opportunity of so doing. In fact, had the world
been searched over, it would have been hard to find a jollier set of fellows
than we. The effort of a few hours was sufficient to procure a month's supply
of the choicest delicacies, nor is it marvelous that, to use a cant phrase of
the country, we soon became "fat, ragged, and saucy."
Page 348 - Wintering in Colorado on Soublet's Creek 1843-44
The winter-camp of a hunter in the Rocky Mountains would doubtless prove an
object of interest to the unsophisticated. It is usually located in some spot
sheltered by hills or rocks, for the double purpose of securing the full
warmth of the sun's rays, and screening it from the notice of strolling
Indians that may happen in the vicinity. Within a convenient proximity to it
stands some grove, from which an abundance of dry fuel is procurable when
needed; and equally close the ripplings of a watercourse salute the ear with
their music. His shantee faces a huge fire, and is formed of skins carefully
extended over an arched frame-work of slender poles, which are bent in the
form of a semi-circle and kept in their places by inserting their extremities
in the ground. Near this is his "graining block," planted aslope, for ease of
the operative in preparing his skins for the finishing process in the art of
dressing; and not far removed is a stout frame, contrived from four pieces of
timber, so tied together as to leave a square of sufficient dimensions for the
required purpose, in which, perchance, a skin is stretched to its fullest
extension, and the hardy mountaineer is busily engaged in rubbing it with a
rough stone or "scraper," to fit it for the manufacture of clothing.
Facing his shantee upon the opposite side of the fire, a pole is reared upon
crotches five or six feet high, across which reposes a choice selection of the
dainties of his range, to wit: the "side ribs," shoulders, heads and
"rump-cuts" of deer and sheep, or the "depouille" and "fleeces" of buffalo.
The camp-fire finds busy employ in fitting for the demands of appetite such
dainty bits of hissing roasts as en appolas may grace its sides, while, at
brief intervals, the hearty attendant, enchaired upon the head of a mountain
sheep, (whose huge horns furnish legs and arms for the convenience of
sitting), partakes of his tempting lunch. Carefully hung in some fitting
place, are seen his "riding" and "pack-saddles," with his halters, "cavraces,"
"larrietts," "apishamores," and all the needful materiel for camp and
travelling service; and adjoining him at no great distance, his animals are
allowed to graze, or, if suitable nourishment of other kind be lacking, are
fed from the bark of cottonwood trees levelled for that purpose; and leaning
close at hand, his rifle awaits his use, and by it his powder-horn,
bullet-pouch, and tomahawk.
Thus conditioned are these lordly rangers in their mountain home, nor own that
any creature of human kind can possibly enjoy life better than they.