BJ, you never cease to amaze me, a man of apparent intelligence that insists on coming off as an ill educated boob. You know as well as anybody else on this board, that every one of those "oldtimers" couldn't wait to trade in their out of date, out moded musketry and other equipment for something that provided them with a better chance of survival and an extra modicum of comfort. Carson, Bridger, Johnson, Glass and the rest would have killed for 1/10 of the available conveniences we have available today. Their "trophy" was coming home with their hair intact.