Sweet....Just let me know when Doc.....GOnna be fun Brother...
Jerry
Sweet....Just let me know when Doc.....GOnna be fun Brother...
Jerry
The only Easy day was yesterday.
Well, this sounds like safe fun!
I kind of suspected that last winter's Mt.Rogers experience might have been one of the motivators for this trip. A big roaring fire would have been nice on that trip, I'm thinking! Or at least a stove ( or multiple stoves) that could have been used either by the hypothermic person(with poor thinking ability) or whatever person who was not yet hypothermic to quickly boil large amounts of water for drink and cooking. Oh yeah baby, hot food and drink into the belly of the hypo- or near hypo-thermic person, that is nice!
Another thing to work out is either:
1:how to be sure you can keep dry or
2: Are there clothes that can be worn so that, even if you get wet it won't be that big of a disaster, or that will at least dry very quickly once out of the rain?
Torrential rain fall just above freezing ( or even warmer temps) can really turn into a nightmare, can it not?
Wish I could join you guys!
When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.
Looking forward to the trip report. If you do two stick fires, video it.
Carpe noctem!!
OH, I plan on doing more than 2 fires! Will be starting fires with: Lighters, matches, magnesium bloc & ferro rod, bow drill, Trench & if I can find mine: a magnifying glass.
I will be doing videos when I remember to. I often don't remember though, so you may have to settle for stills. Sorry!
THEN, I have to take the camera to Bonsai Hiker for editing, when HE has time,,,,,,,,
When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.
Fat wood is fun too. Most magnesium bars are really hard to scrape but a 1/3-1/2 inch drill bit works really well.
Carpe noctem!!
Couple of tips...
the lighting a fire in wet conditions does not mean starting a fire with wet wood. The concept your looking for, is in wet rainy conditions, where everything appears wet, you can split standing deadwood to get inside where it is bone-dry.
Also, I bought one of those mag bars from firesteel.com and in comparison to local sporting goods store brands, it's like slicing butter. Huge difference, and still only about $3. Even their firesteels are softer, throwing globs of molten metal instead of just sparks.
Another thing, if you try a firebow, the straighter the bow the better, you want it to nearly ride the spindle. If the spindle is slightly tapered to either end it seems to make it move smoother. (just a couple things I haven't seen mentioned on tv)
Sounds like a great trip, wish you lots of luck!
All righty, so far those going are: Jerry, Matt, Rob (Firewalker) & I.
Maybes are: my son Jon, friend John, Rob's son R.J.
We have had quite a bit of rain in the area so there should be water in the creek and nearly everything is growing like crazy.
I hope to learn a bit this trip, somethings I've got head knowledge but little practical experience with.
We have at least 6 acres to "Play" on, so if there is any who still want to come, feel free to contact me.
When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.
Have fun! Coupla things... You can find dry wood on the inside of dead limbs near the bottom of conifer trees. The bark may be wet, but the core mostly or very dry. Never use wood from the ground! Just baton it.
Also, don't need to waste your Paracord (which is better for making traps and snares anyway) to build a shelter. In most wooded areas, there is a huge root system for plants, bushes, and trees. Use a digging stick (NOT your knife!) to find one, the pull it up as far as you can. You can strip whatever bark is on it with the BACK of your knife, and soak it then pound it a bit to soften and make it pliable. There will be resin in the roots for some, which will dry and harden like steel eventually!
Mother Nature provides unlimited supplies for building, especially cordage. Save the man-made cordage for other things than building a shelter, unless time is a huge factor. Even then, I will use roots to bind.
Learning to do a "two strand twist" from natural materials to make rope and cordage is another great skill to learn! (Google it)
Lastly, head on over to our sister site, BushcraftUSA.com, and watch the Bushclass videos. It's all there.
Good luck, and enjoy!
~ SkyPainter
Live Purposefully; Dare Greatly; Land Gently
If you're going to do something wrong, go for it! - Beryl G.
"Never knock on Death's door - just ring the bell and run. He hates that!"
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