I was just reading about this yesterday. Front bag is actually a tyvek tarp wrapped around sleeping gear I think. The harness is cowhide and super cool. Seat is wrapped in cowhide as well.

I met a dad and his two boys on a four day trip on the Katy today. My daughter is only 5 months old, so that sort of thing is still a ways off for me, but I thought it was awesome.

Anyway, the trail conditions are great right now. Hard packed and really fast. If anyone is touring on it soon, the conditions will be just about perfect.