Alone in the Wild - Sleeps in Hammock

**Miguel** · 07-28-2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

It would certainly speed up finding usable trees in the MS ( often jungle like) woods if I could just take a large cutting tool to the limbs and brush and saplings that are in my way!

Any one recognize that hammock? It has a channel like a Claytor. But it almost- kind of/maybe- looks like the left and right side is attached separately to the trees, leaving the gathered end wider than usual, almost like a Bridge, except no spreader bars. I don't really think that is it, but it sort of looks that way in the limited detail you can see. Wonder how he kept his back side warm?

I initially thought it was a bridge but if you look carefully you can see it's channeled like a Claytor. The channel was extended when he first pulled it out which makes the hammock rectangular but when he started to tie it to the tree you could see the ends gathering. That's why I commented above that it appeared the hammock had never been used. I believe the original strap was threaded through the cannel and nothing else was done to it. I think he just took the two ends and wrapped/tied them around the tree.

Miguel

**Roadtorque** · 07-28-2009, 23:28

I thought it was interesting how he first thought about making the hole-in-the-ground his home for the night then later pulled out his hammock. Why would you look for a shealter if you already had a hammock in your pack? I suppose better protection from elements but did he not think about that before hand? Does anyone know who this guy is; journalist, survival expert, or just a random guy pulled off the street?

**poker88** · 07-28-2009, 23:48

I don't think that he was looking at the hole in the ground as shelter, I think he was looking at it as a place to find gophers to eat.

**plowhorse** · 07-29-2009, 01:09

Originally Posted by Roadtorque

I thought it was interesting how he first thought about making the hole-in-the-ground his home for the night then later pulled out his hammock. Why would you look for a shealter if you already had a hammock in your pack? I suppose better protection from elements but did he not think about that before hand? Does anyone know who this guy is; journalist, survival expert, or just a random guy pulled off the street?

he is suposed to be a documentary maker/adventurer. for the amount of effort required to build his shelter for cooking, he could have just brought a larger tarp to rig up seperately.

**animalcontrol** · 07-29-2009, 07:03

My take on the LNT aspect...
LNT is heavily promoted around areas that see higher numbers of backcountry visitors. Your a visitor because your passing thru (hiking, backpacking etc) Your not staying for any length of time and as such, you should leave this as they are as much as possible (everyone likes nature and no one wants to see your impact)
Now, this situation is different.
3 months is not passing thru...you actually living there. In this case, surviving there. This area is VERY remote...no concerns about overuse.
IMO, any impact or changes this guy makes (within reason and killing game, hacking a few bushes or saplings for a shelter is within reason) to improve his chances of survival is acceptable.
I know I would do the same

**TinaLouise** · 07-29-2009, 07:46

in the "pre" show, where he tested out his skills.... it looked like he stayed in one spot, made a shelter of small trees that he cut down but slept in a hammock. I couldn't figure out why he needed a shelter, especially one with what looked like about 2 to 3 inch gaps between the poles. What would be the point of using all that energy to make that kind of shelter??
It looked like to me that on this 3 month trip that this guy will be hiking to different locations. Does anyone know if this will be for the entire 3 months or is he trying to get to some location where he'll make a base camp??? A base camp I can see trying to make a more sturdy shelter to live out of. But moving to different camps all the time, why bother?

**animalcontrol** · 07-29-2009, 08:34

Originally Posted by TinaLouise

in the "pre" show, where he tested out his skills.... it looked like he stayed in one spot, made a shelter of small trees that he cut down but slept in a hammock. I couldn't figure out why he needed a shelter, especially one with what looked like about 2 to 3 inch gaps between the poles. What would be the point of using all that energy to make that kind of shelter??
It looked like to me that on this 3 month trip that this guy will be hiking to different locations. Does anyone know if this will be for the entire 3 months or is he trying to get to some location where he'll make a base camp??? A base camp I can see trying to make a more sturdy shelter to live out of. But moving to different camps all the time, why bother?

I have not seen the 'pre' show so I'm guessing...
why make a second shelter? work on building skills, secondary storage, bored

, another sitting/sleeping option, etc
If you're not packing up and moving everyday, modifying camp would be natural. Even over the course of a week (let alone months), I would make changes to make camp more accommadating.
Now, why 2-3 inches between poles? Easy, the poles are the same a roof joists in your house. Eventually, I'm sure that he is planning to cover the poles with some kind of covering (leaves, thick moss) that will shed rain and wind. If you put the poles side-by-side , you would need more poles than you really need.
Again, just guessing if it was me...

**stormcrow** · 07-29-2009, 14:04

Originally Posted by Roadtorque

I thought it was odd how he broke down on day 3!

How funny was that! LOL. I am just getting though these and so far I am NOT that impressed. They way he was carrying on you would have thought he had already been out there for months! He just strikes me as being a little on the inept side. He certainly does not appear to be mentally prepared for this trip.

The way he was hacking at those bushes you would have thought he was using a dull spoon to chop with..

Sorry about all the ragging on the poor guy. Mom DID tell me if I cant say something nice.....

Anyway, on to day 4...

SC

**stormcrow** · 07-29-2009, 14:59

I was looking up "alone in the wild" and found the documentary called "Alone in the Wilderness". I remember seeing this on the discovery channel or something and thought it was just wonderful! It is worth watching if you can find it. I just "found it" and am halfway though watching it again. Great story!

Stormcrow

Here is a PDF of his journal

**animalcontrol** · 07-29-2009, 16:02

Originally Posted by stormcrow

I was looking up "alone in the wild" and found the documentary called "Alone in the Wilderness". I remember seeing this on the discovery channel or something and thought it was just wonderful! It is worth watching if you can find it. I just "found it" and am halfway though watching it again. Great story!

Stormcrow

yea, I watch that a while back but I remember Alaska being unbelievably beautiful and **** Proenneke's cabin building was so inspiring.
This joker Ed on NG isn't able to lick ****'s boots!!