SOE for a packstring is a bucking saw,axe and shovel to clear or rebuild trails.Normally these go on top of a mantyed load in scabbards with the saw lashed on top for immediate access.
I was bringing up the tail end of a huge, 18 mule string when everybody sort of banged into each other like a freeway pileup.
A huge Douglas Fir had fallen across the trail. The lead riders hollered back what was gong on. And, it was then the other guy riding back with me and I noticed:The saw,shovel and axe were within easy reach- two mules ahead of us.
You want humiliation? Try squezzing on a 2' wide cliffpass past 16 john mules giving you hell for being dumb as a rope.