From Loose Gear to Tight Loads: Mastering the Manti

Photography By: Nick Higman

Derived from the Spanish word, “manta,” meaning ‘blanket’, the tarp is just that. A good ole’ fashioned blanket for a horseman's gear and pack saddle. There are two ways in which the manti is traditionally used. 

1. The tarp is draped over a packed load, consisting of panniers/panyards hung on a pack saddle. Securing the tarp to the load is accomplished by use of a hitch with a lash rope. 

2. The tarp is wrapped tightly around gear then held in place by half hitching with a cargo rope. This is referred to as a “manti load.” The manti load is then secured to a pack saddle by use of sling rope. 

Historically, variations of each were associated with a particular pack saddle. A tarp would be draped with use of a Sawbuck and a manti load would be built for use with a Decker. However, years of trials and tribulations eventually lead to the development of saddle panniers, Decker hooks, modified Deckers and the such. These creations now allow panniers to be run on Deckers and riding saddles, as well as secure manti’d loads in non-traditional manners to a riding saddle or Sawbuck. The short of it is, don’t be surprised if you see a manti tarp used in both manners across a variety of different pack saddles. 

Materials

The variations of sizes and materials a tarp comes in are numerous. You’ll find traditional dimensions as small as 5 x 7 to those stretching to 8 x 8. Materials range from cordura nylon, heavy 18oz cotton canvas to modern synthetic produced tarps. 

Size and materials are about as numerous as the types of terrain and weather profiles the hunting horseman can find himself in. You may find yourself asking, well which is the right size and material for me? 

As a recreational packer and someone still sinking my feet into all there is to learn, I’ve found myself asking that very question. The answer–  lies in the details of your own unique situation. 

Factors to consider include, terrain, amount of use, predicted weather, size of stock, type of material to be packed, etc. The following scenarios may help you conjure some thought:

-The durability and weight of an 18oz canvas may provide little advantage to someone who packs into stretches of unobstructed valleys.  

-A coastal packer dealing with the relentlessness of a falling marine layer may see no better fit than a synthetic produced material that’s completely non-permeable.

-Packing meat by use of a tarp would be foolish with non-breathable synthetic materials, as the risk of spoilage would be likely

-The ply-ability of heavy canvas can become troublesome with moisture and freezing temperatures

There are no absolutes in the world of packing. Let the factors of each hunt and your own setup dictate what's right for you.

Building a Manti Load

Even for the educated horseman, the image of canvas strewn gear secured by multiple ropes and foreign looking tack can be a bit intimidating. However, with some basic knowledge and determination you will find yourself toting hand constructed loads down the trail in no time.

How to build a Manti load:

1. Spread the manti flat on the ground (It should form a diamond shape, with one diagonal point facing toward you)

2. Place your gear in the middle of the tarp (Centered to the diagonal point facing toward you) 

3. Fold the bottom corner up and over the load. (Pull taut, so the canvas is held snug to your gear) 

4. Fold the right corner across the load to the left side. (Keep tension to ensure the canvas remains tight to your load.)

5. Fold the left corner across the load to the right side. (You should be left only with the top diagonal portion of the tarp left unsecured)

6. Fold the top diagonal down, toward the bottom of your load. (This top piece is your rain fly.  This fold should be approximately ⅓ to ½ of the way down from the top of your load.)

Your gear is now wrapped in canvas and ready to be secured by cargo rope. 

1. Loop your cargo rope around the top ⅓ of your wrapped gear. (Pull the loop tight, positioned on the top front portion of your manti’d gear.)

2. Tie a Packer’s Knot.  

3. Half hitch the Packer’s Knot to “lock.” 

4. Half hitch the entire load 2-3 times (Spacing the hitches evenly down the load) 
   

5. Run the tail of the rope around the back of the load, returning to your initial Packer’s Knot. 

6. Run the tail through the loop of the “locked” knot (pull tight) and secure it with another Packer’s Knot, locked with a half hitch. 

7. Secure any extra rope to your load in a manner of your choosing.

Hopefully you’ve found this information to be the beginning of turning loose gear into tight loads. Good luck!

Terms + Tips:

Pannier / Panyard: a bag or box hung onto both sides of a pack saddle to carry gear.  Panniers are built in many different dimensions and constructed of a wide array of materials. 

Lash/ Lash Rope- A canvas girth piece with hook attached to a rope used for building hitches. Most often associated with use on panniers and top loads.

Manti / Manty / Mantie: A tarp used in various fashions to contain/protect gear and a pack saddle from the elements. 

Sling Rope- Rope attached to each side of a Decker pack saddle. Used to secure a manti load.

Manti rope/ Cargo rope- Rope used to secure gear wrapped in a tarp

Hitch: a method of tying ropes to secure packed gear to stock. Specific hitches are used depending on the type of material, size, terrain to be covered and often expertise of the horsemen using them (Ex. Diamond, Double Diamond, Box, etc)

Decker: The Decker Pack Saddle consists of two metal arches with rope secured to each side. This design stems from the USFS needing to haul awkward/heavy loads in mountainous terrain during the early 1900’s. It’s traditionally associated with and used in the Northwest U.S.

Sawbuck/ Crossbuck: The Sawbuck Pack Saddle consists of two wooden “crosses,” in which pannier loads are hung from. This design has been used for centuries. It’s commonly associated with and used in the Southwestern U.S. (including the Sierra Nevada’s).