CAMPING AND PICNIC EQUIPMENT

About Backwoods Camping

2009-10-17T11:23:00.001-07:00

Backwoods camping involves one or more people reaching a remote destination for a one-of-a-kind camping experience involving raw nature while utilizing the campers' physical and mental capabilities. Backwoods camping allows the camper to build a campsite geared toward human survival and interaction with nature and animals in their natural habitat. Campers reach their destination by choosing routes and locations typically missing from a traditional map. Many use a topographical map displaying the terrain and larger landmarks to get to their destination.

Backwoods camping refers to camping in the outdoors in locations that are not commercialized or mainstream. Remote locations that offer no electricity and often no running water are considered to be something that a backwoods camper will encounter on the expedition. Wearing the right gear for the trip such as waterproof clothing and boots, and sturdy hiking equipment for stability and terrain control will assist in trekking to the camp site. Additionally, carrying a Swiss army knife also is beneficial for hiking to the campsite through dense brush and winding terrain. For many locations, especially those within a state park area, a permit may be required from the state's department of natural resources.

Some of the features of backwoods camping can challenge campers' physical ability and survival skills. Many backwoods
camping locations include treks over rocky, uneven terrain and occasionally campers will encounter dangerous conditions such as inclement weather and wild animals. Campers who enjoy rustic camping set up camp with safety and survival in mind. One of the features of backwoods camping is camping near a body of water; this is beneficial for fishing, bathing and cleaning camp dishes. Fresh water lakes also can be a source of drinking water. Because of the lack of everyday amenities, building a campfire for heating and cooking is essential. Campers may need to hunt or trap small game for food if they brought only minimal supplies. Setting up camp with a tent, tarp or sleeping bag should be the first priority; finding a location that is blocked from wind and weather such alongside a bluff is ideal. Backwoods camping offers isolation for those who like to experience the backwoods with a lack of population---this allows for more observation of wildlife and the ability to experience areas in nature untouched by man.

Because most backwoods camping involves traveling on foot to a remote location, campers generally bring a minimal amount of supplies and gear. For the experienced backwoods camper, 5 to 10 days is a standard time frame because the camper can utilize nature for survival with food, water and fire. For those looking to find reprieve or for those just starting out, one night is a good way to get the feel for nature and explore backwoods camping.

Backwoods camping always is at a location that is distant from main roads, amenities such as water and electric, gas stations and even people. Some popular locations for backwoods camping are areas near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the Kodiak area in Alaska and the Lake Tahoe area in California. Wooded areas in the northwestern United States and western Canada offer much uncharted territory that are considered off-the-beaten-path, and include winding trails through woods, over mountainous cliffs, and through creek beds and dense brush. Many campers find their backwoods campsites by traveling off a main road or trail.

Backwoods camping allows the camper an opportunity to utilize natural resources and basic survival skills while enjoying nature at the same time. Isolation from society also allows the camper to regain mental strength and clarity, and to learn more about nature and the environment. The trek to the campsite and back will showcase the physical skills and stamina that the camper needs to achieve personal success with the camping experience.

Backwoods: Setting Up Camp In The Right Spot

2009-10-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

Setting up camp in the right location is an important factor in making your backwoods camping safe and enjoyable. The factors that contribute to a good site vary according to the season.
Every campsite should have lots of water and a good source for kindling and firewood. If you are not bringing water to your campsite, then you will need to set up camp in a location close to a good source of water. In warm weather, water is available in rivers, streams and ponds.
In cold winter weather, snow is a good source of water, and melts easily on a campfire. During the summer, you need just a little fuel and a bit of kindling, while during winter, you will require fuel and kindling in abundance. Althrough extremely important, these are not the only factors to consider when choosing tour campsite.
In cold weather, protection from the wind is critical,especially from the northerly winds, however, protection from all wind is important. Keep in mind, the most effective protection from the wind can also block the sun. Choose a site on the north side of a small clearing, with trees to the north side of the camp so northerly winds are not felt. If the clearing to the south side of the site is the right size, the tree horizon will be low enough to allow sunlight into the campsite, however, the trees will block the southerly winds.
In warm or hot weather, choose a site that has protection from the sun, but allows a breeze to cool you as well as keep the mosquitoes away. A site among a few trees on a windy point along a lake or river is ideal. The campsite should be on well drained ground. Light, gravelly soil will absorb the water as fast as it falls. Avoid setting your tent up in a depression or on lower ground, regardless of how absorbent the soil appears to be. Be wary of setting up sites on riverbanks. Although these sites often offer the best combination of access to water, shade, and breeze for summer camping, they are vulnerable to flash floods during the night from rainstorms that occur upstream. Rivers originating in large lake-systems rise and fall gradually, while rivers rising directly in the mountain country with no lakes in the system are capable of flash flooding. Your best bet is to get good information about the river you are camping on if you are not familiar with the area.
Once you have selected your campsite, you must determine where you will dispose of the waste. No waste should ever be discarded into a lake, stream or river. If the ground is not frozen, all body waste and camp refuse should be buried immediately. Burying all waste immediately will keep flies and bugs from landing on the waste and then contaminating your food. The smell of the food waste will attract wildlife, so disposing of it immediately will cut down on the odor, and will keep uninvited guest from visiting the campsite. Your waste disposal site should be located well away from your main camp area by at least one hundred yards.
Be sure to pack a good camp shovel, camp saw or ax, multi-tool, rope, water carrier, mess kit and a good first aid kit on your next backwoods camping trip.

Backwoods: Caring For Your Camping Tent

2009-10-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Your camping tent is one of the most important pieces of camping gear that you own.Proper care of your camping equipment will ensure many years of future use of these valuable items.Caring for your tent is very easy, as listed below:

Cleaning Your Camping Tent

1. Cleaning the interior by shaking out the tent, and sweeping out the small particles with a whiskbroom.
2. Clean your tent by setting it up and wiping it down inside and out with a mild soap and lukewarm water.
3. Rinse the tent completely with cool,clean water. Wipe the interior completely with a clean wet rag to remove any soap residue.
4. Dry the tent completely including the stitching at the seams by placing the tent in the shade, and ventilating the interior of the tent.
5. Leave stubborn stains alone, as scrubbing can ruin the fabric. A light dusting of talcum powder or cornstarch will inhibit the transfer of stain to other part of the tent.
6. Wipe the tent poles down with a soft clean cloth.
7. Dip zippers quickly in water and dry them off. If you fail to clean your zippers, the zipper will eventually become inoperable.

Sealing Your Tent

1. Seal the seams of your tent according to the manufacture guide.
2. Seal your tent in a ventilated area.
3. Seal the tent while it is set up.
4. Apply sealant on the interior of each seam that are exposed to rain, runoff, or ground level moisture, including floor seams, fly seams, and reinforcements.
5. Apply several thin layers of sealant rather than one thick layer.

Ultraviolet Sunrays

1. Excessive exposure to sunlight can damage the fabric of your tent, which will cause tent fabric to become brittle and tear easily.
2. Avoid pitching your tent in direct sunlight for extended periods.
3. Use the rain fly even if it's not raining. The rain fly will protect your tent from ultraviolet sunrays, and is less expensive to replace if damaged.

Storage

1.Open vents to allow air to escape.
2. Roll the dry tent loosely and store in a dry, cool place.
3. Cover the tent with a cloth to prevent dust from collecting on the tent.
4. Do not roll tent poles in with the tent. If the tent poles are stored in an extended state, the life of the shock cords is prolonged.
5. Use the tent bag for transportation.

General Tips

1. Never put your tent away wet. If by chance you have to pack your tent wet, set it up outside to dry as soon as possible. Failure to do this will cause your tent to grow mold and mildew.
2. Never use strong detergents on your tent.
3. Never use a washing machine or dryer on your tent.
4. Use a rain fly to protect the exterior of the tent.
5. Use a foot print or ground cloth to protect the floor of the tent.
6. Ground cloth should be slightly smaller that the tent floor to avoid rain and moisture from collecting under the tent.

Backwoods: The Most Primitive Weapon

2009-10-16T03:26:00.001-07:00

A basic throwing stick is, quite simply, a sturdy hunk of branch. The optimum size and shape will vary somewhat, depending upon personal preference, but a stick about two and half feet long and approximately half as thick as your wrist. Of course, some primitive peoples have turned the making of throwing sticks into an art form (consider the hunting boomerang or Australian Kylie, which is carved to an aerodynamic profile that actually allows it to fly farther than an unshaped stick of similar size and weight could be thrown). But for our purposes, we'll be discussing the handling of a weapon that requires nothing more, perhaps, than being broken to a comfortable length before it's put to use.

Such a basic club can be thrown either overhand (when, for instance, you're trying to knock a squirrel from the side of a tree) or sidearm (when you're in an open area, where brush won't interfere with the stick's flight). In using the first method, point your left foot at the target (if you're right-handed southpaws can simply reverse these directions). Then, holding the smaller end of the stick loosely in your right hand, bring the weapon back over your shoulder and hurl it, with good end-over-end spin, straight at the mark. At the moment of release, your shoulders should face the game squarely.

The sidearm throw is similar to the motion used in stroking a tennis ball with the racket. Point the left toe at the animal, bring the stick to a cocked position at your side, and throw it . . . squaring your shoulders and snapping the club—as if you were cracking a whip—to give it spin.

Always be sure to carry your throwing stick when away from camp for any reason. Not only is there a chance that a small bird or animal will suddenly appear within range, but there's also the possibility that you'll encounter other food sources (say, nuts or fruit) that can be knocked down with the club.

I don't have the space to go into any detail about stalking techniques here. In general, you should avoid any abrupt movements . . . walk slowly, feeling the ground (or, perhaps, a brittle twig?) beneath each foot before putting your weight upon it . . . and try to time your movements to coincide with the feeding patterns you observe in your quarry (most animals will alternate regular periods of feeding with pauses to survey their surroundings for danger). Remember, though, that this is a very rudimentary outline, and that—as always—the time to practice this particular survival skill is before you need it.

Backwoods: Traping Tips

2009-10-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

You've probably already gathered that there's a good bit more to survival trapping than simply constructing a deadfall or snare in the middle of a convenient field. In order to obtain the best results with these do-it-yourself game getters, you'll have to understand a little about animal movement patterns . . . the dietary likes and dislikes of the animal you're after . . . and the different methods of making your structures appear "natural" so the animals' suspicions won't be aroused.

Your most important task will be to locate areas of high game activity, generally by "reading" the landscape. Usually (the backwoods always produces exceptions to human rules) the most productive areas to scout will be those around sources of water . . . and those in edge environments, where forest meets field, field meets meadow, and so forth.

In such a location, you may well be able to spot specific trails, runs, day beds, lays, and feeding areas. By doing so, you can place your trap in such a way that it'll have the best possible chance of being encountered by the animal you're after.

Trails are heavily used tunnels or paths. When following such a wildlife "freeway", you should be able to note animal scat, hair, and such that will indicate the type of creature most often using the path. Remember, though, that even if deer tracks-for instance-have all but eliminated any other signs from a trail, odds are that a number of smaller animals are using it, too. Wild creatures will follow the easiest route available unless they're either pursuing or being pursued.

Runs are the smaller arteries that connect established trails to feeding, bedding, and watering sites . . . and are subject to change as food and water supplies come and go. Since each run's use is typically limited to one species, its size will often provide some clue to the type of animal using it. (Traces of scat and fur, again, will help you make a positive identification.) By following runs-carefully, causing as little disturbance as possible to these potential trap locations-you may be able to find the areas of animal concentration to which they'll usually lead.

Day beds and lays are spots in which animals seek cover and/or sleep. Beds are generally used quite frequently (though one animal might well have several of them), and usually appear as well-worn depressions in the grass or ground. Lays, on the other hand, are less obvious-often showing up as areas of partially crushed weeds or brush-and are typically found near feeding sites. The pattern of beds and lays surrounding a known food source can help you predict routes of animal travel, and thus choose good locations for your traps this is especially true when setting snares, as your quarry will actually have to run into such a trap to be caught.

Feeding areas-which can be located by careful observance of the signs described already-will, for herbivorous animals, likely be locations rich in grasses, clover, and tender new growth . . . or, especially in winter months, young trees and brush with edible bark, twigs, and buds.

By examining the food plants in such an area, it's often possible to determine what sort of animals are feeding there. A diagonal bite that cuts off a plant stalk at about a 45° angle is typical of such rodents as rabbits and woodchucks. Straight, finely serrated bites will often indicate that members of the deer family have been dining . . . while obviously chewed-upon greenery is usually a sign that predators have been rounding out their diets-with a little plant foraging.

You will, of course, want to take special note of exactly what food seems to be preferred by the species you hope to catch. Furthermore, it's best to try to locate a favorite snack that, because it has been pretty much finished off, has been temporarily abandoned for a second-choice edible. If, for instance, you note that all of the red clover around a group of woodchuck dens has been eaten, and that the animals are now resorting to a diet of grasses, it may be worth your while to scout beyond the 'chucks' range and-if you can-bring back a batch of that rare clover to use as bait.

"Naturalizing" your traps, in order to lessen the chance that animals will steer clear of them, will improve your chances of making a catch. Leave bark on the trigger assemblies, and rub dirt on any cut surfaces to prevent them from attracting unwanted attention. When working on a trap, be sure that your hands are well rubbed with mint, leek, or some aromatic weed to disguise the human scent. In the winter, it's sometimes possible to accomplish the same result by smoking a finished trigger assembly over a fire, and then handling it with gloves that have also been well scented with wood smoke. Some trappers will smear their hands with scat, or with scent from the glands of an animal caught earlier. The notion may sound unpleasant to you now, but there's little room for niceties in a true backwoods survival situation!

Once your traps are naturalized and set, be sure to check them at least once a day . . . to prevent your quarry from being stolen by a predator or (in hot weather) decomposing, and to minimize the suffering of any creature that might have been caught but not killed. Carry your throwing stick when visiting the traps. A hard blow to the back of the head will, for most of the small animals that you'll be likely to catch, result in a quick and relatively painless death.

Lost in the Backwoods

2009-10-13T03:45:00.001-07:00

In the world of today, with our maps and landscape criss-crossed with roads and trails, getting yourself lost in the backwoods is usually the result of not being aware. Aware of your surroundings, aware of your limitations, aware of possible things that can go awry. Anyone can become lost, but follow these steps and you can minimize the chance that the next search for a lost wilderness traveler is for you.

First, be sure to leave someone you trust an itinerary of where you plan to go and what you plan to do. Include as near as possible when you expect to be at certain locations. Then stick with the plan Remember - you can become ill, break a bone, or have an unexpected accident befall you anytime anywhere. Even in your own backyard where you have been a thousand times before.

Next, always take a survival kit with you and know how to use it. A good survival kit will buy you time while extricating yourself or waiting for others to rescue you. The kit should provide basic provision for food and water shelter, clothing, fire, basic medical attention, and means of signaling rescuers even if you are very weak. Your survival kit should be light enough so you will not mind carrying it wherever you go, but useful enough to cover your basic necessities in the backwoods environment you are in.

There are many survival kits on the market today. A good place to start is learning about the fifteen essentials for survival an article that discusses what you need in a complete survival kit.

Should you find it necessary to spend more time than you had anticipated away from civilization, a good survival kit can mean the difference between surviving the ordeal or making it out in a body bag on a stretcher.

Third, equip yourself properly for the undertaking you are planning. This especially includes proper clothing.

For example, don't hike in the mountains above tree line with only a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. It could be 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the valley where you start, but above tree line the weather can suddenly turn without notice to below freezing with high winds and precipitation at any time of the year. You may sprain an ankle and, not being able to expend as much energy traveling, cool down. You could take a wrong turn and be forced to spend more time exposed to the elements than you had planned and perhaps even have to spend a night outdoors.

Ere on the side of caution and take a little more food, clothing, and water than you anticipate needing.

Fourth up is continual awareness. Awareness of your surroundings is your best defense against becoming lost while traveling. Keeping up your level awareness, rather than continuing on absent minded, will help prevent you from getting lost in the first place. Should you become lost, the information you have stored up can help you find your way out or make the decision to stay put and wait for help.

As you travel, study your map and keep tabs on where you are and where you have been. Continually note landmarks that are easily viewable from different locations along your route and relate them to your map. Depending upon where you are, landmarks may include certain hills or mountains, the position of the sun, a large tree or rock, a stream, an area of differing vegetation. Try to match the contours on your map to the lay of the land you are traveling over and occasionally use your compass to ascertain your direction of travel. Keep a mental estimate of the time it took you to travel between identifiable points and the kind of terrain you traveled over.

And fifth, be aware of your condition. Whether or not you are lost, your current condition is perhaps the most important consideration while traveling in the wilderness. Being tired mentally or physically can lead to costly mistakes, perhaps even disaster. If you are cold, overheated, wet, hungry, sunburned, dehydrated, feeling in ill health, or just plain tired you are much more susceptible to making the wrong decisions or physically not being unable to make it back to civilization. Know your current state and do not be tempted to push on beyond your limitations. If the going gets tough often it is better to simply turn back than to push on into potential disaster.

In spite of all these precautions, should you find yourself lost you should stop immediately. Don't panic. Remember: you have your basic survival kit and you have honed your basic survival skill so you know you can live out here for many days if you have to. And you have told someone about the area where you plan to be so rescuers can find you if it comes to that. The odds are just about 100 percent you are going to get out of this and you chalk up another adventure.

So you think you are lost. Simply sit down, relax, and study your map. Think of the possible actions you can take. It may be a good time to build a fire and warm some food and drink.

or smoke from a fire. Of the best thing you can do is stay put and await rescue. You may be able to signal would be rescuers using your survival whistle, signal mirror.

If you decide to stay put, set up the shelter you brought with you or make a shelter using the natural materials at hand. Make any improvements that will aid in keeping you comfortable and safe, keeping in mind that the weather may take a turn for the worse while you are there.

If you decide to make your way out, mark your location on the ground. Make a pile of rocks, bend some branches, or otherwise mark the location in order to create an easily identifiable spot that you can return to. Remember, this location where you first realized you are lost is the base from which you will have to find your way out. Should your first attempts at getting out fail, your best bet may be to come back to this location before setting out on another try. Or to wait until you are rescued from the outside. The one thing you do not want to do is get lost even further into the backwoods.

Your knowledge of the lay of the land and your current condition will help determine what you should do when you discover you are lost. Should you attempt to retrace your steps? Maybe your most sure bet is to simply head downhill. In many mountainous or hilly sections of the world, habitations, roads, or traveled waterways are within a days travel downhill from any location. If this is the case, you can walk downhill until you reach a stream and then travel downstream to eventually reach civilization. If you find yourself on coast, perhaps you should walk along the perimeter to the nearest habitation.

If you do not have a compass you may be able to make a compass or find the north star. These navigational aids can help keep you on course and from traveling in circles.

If you choose to make your way out on your own, leave a note at the marker you set, indicating your plans and your direction of travel. Then as you travel mark the way at regular intervals with a pile of stones, a broken branch, or some other easily identifiable clue as to where you have been. This could help rescuers find you should your attempt at self extraction fail.

Being lost in the backwoods can happen to anybody. With the right preparation and the right survival psychology your stint at becoming a mite bit confused will turn out OK.

Backwoods - Defending Yourself Against Animal Attacks

2009-10-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy jogging, hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities, you may be confronted by pet dogs or even wild animals. If you are afraid of such attacks in the backwoods, or even on jogging trails or other suburban areas, consider the following ways to defend yourself against such attacks.

First, do not do anything to attract such animals. Don't carry food with you; if you are camping, keep it in closed containers that cannot be broken into by animals such as bears. Still, there are stories in the news nearly every week about people or pets being attacked by pet dogs; the point is, you never know what could happen, even if you're just going on a walk around the block with your dog on a leash.

In all cases of animal attacks, your best course of action is to avoid confrontation altogether. Try not to be alone in the backwoods, especially at night. If you do see an animal, stay away. Do not approach it for any reason, including trying to take pictures or scaring it away from your belongings. Instead, turn and go the other way. If you see a dog while jogging or taking yours for a walk, never pet it or talk to it. Any wildlife you see should be left undisturbed.

If you come near larger wild animals such as bears, be careful if trying to use regular pepper spray against them. You need to be using specially formulated (and large canisters of) bear attack deterrent spray. Similarly, Stun guns, taser devices and similar methods will have a completely unpredictable effect on wild animals. Even if you are carrying a gun with you, do not try to shoot at the animal.

These methods will likely be ineffective, but may irritate the animal and make them even more aggressive. Though some hunters have used pepper spray to stop an attacking bear, this is not a reliable method. Your best course of action is to avoid contact with a bear in the first place, and leave the area if you do spot a bear.

Pepper spray is often a reliable means of self-defense against dogs and other relatively small animals, such as wolves or coyotes. Though there are some spray types made specifically for animals, regular pepper spray is non-lethal, even against small animals, unlike other weapons like stun guns or firearms.

Plus, you do not need to be very close to the animal in order for it to work, which is definitely a benefit when dealing with wild animals, especially those that could be carrying rabies or other diseases. Pepper spray can be an effective defense against aggressive dogs. If an animal is trying to attract you, one quick spray from the pepper spray canister will be enough to deter him.

Pepper spray can easily be carried with you, even if you are jogging or camping. Small canisters can be found in nearly any form, including types on key chains or other devices. These devices make a sensible investment for hunters, campers, hikers, joggers, or anyone else who finds themselves outdoors frequently. These simple products are well worth carrying with you to ensure your safety.

Survival Essentials For Any Backwoods Trip

2009-10-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

When planning a trip into the backwoods, whether it be for camping, fishing or hunting there are some survival essentials that you must take with you.

Shelter

We will start with shelter. This is one of the obvious survival essentials. Although some people do not mind sleeping under the stars, having shelter from the elements can make or break your trip.

There are many different types and sizes of tents on the market. Determine how many people will be sharing your tent before your trip and whether or not you will need a second tent to store your gear. If you do not want to bring another tent, bring a tarp to cover your supplies to keep them dry.

Secondly, a sleeping bag that is designed for the climate is another of the survival essentials. All sleeping bags should have a label that indicates the temperature rating of the bag. However, they are not always accurate. This is one item that you should not go cheap on; you usually get what you pay for in a sleeping bag.

Food and Water

You should always bring enough food; this may seem like an obvious survival essential and it is. When planning your trip, it is very important to plan your meals. This way you should be sure of taking enough food and not taking too much with you, especially if you are hiking or portaging.

Since water is heavy to carry, take a water filter and pump or iodine tablets if there will be water where you are going. If water is going to be scarce on your trip then one of your survival essentials will be taking enough water with you for everyone in the group. I hope that you will have a pack mule or something to carry it all!

Make sure you have a variety of healthy food with you so that you are not deficient in some vital nutrients. You can expend a lot of energy while outdoors and you need to replenish your strength each day.

Tools

A sharp hunting knife is another of the survival essentials. No camper should venture into the wilderness without one. It is used as a tool and a weapon of protection if needed.

An implement for cutting wood is also an important tool. Check out the local camping supply stores for some very handy folding saws. A small hatchet can be very helpful as well.

I usually carry a good multi tool as well. This can be clipped on your belt along with the knife. With the advances in technology, you have other resources readily available these days, including a GPS and satellite telephone.

Backpack

A good waterproof pack would be an important piece of equipment, but would it be a survival essential? Not necessarily, a pack will not save your life, but it will keep your gear from getting wet and it is much easier to carry everything as well.

Fire

At one time, waterproof matches were considered one of the survival essentials. However, not so much anymore. With the advent of fire paste and other fire starters, matches are becoming obsolete. I have had waterproof matches get wet and become useless. Even carrying a small lighter is a good idea. There are ways to start a fire without some fire starter of some kind, but it can be difficult without experience.

First Aid Kit

Having a stocked first aid kit is another of the important survival essentials. Before leaving on your trip, check your kit to make sure it is not out of anything. Some important components of the kit should be band-aids, antiseptic, gauze, tweezers, bug bite cream or spray and other items that may be needed for the area you are traveling in such as snakebite kits etc. Also, included should be painkillers such as Tylenol for example. If anyone in your group requires specific medication then they are responsible for bringing it with them.

Planning

Planning the trip is one of the most important aspects of the survival essentials. Your route should be mapped clearly. You should have more than one map with you. In addition, you must provide your trip plans to friends or family who are not going with you. People need to know when to expect you back and where to look for you if you are not back on time. Alert the local authorities or park Warden to your trip plan as well. In addition, stick to your plan; do not decide to change it when you have already begun the trip.

Backwoods - Survival Foods

2009-10-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

When you become stranded or lost in the middle of the woods it is an encouraging thought that simply by looking around you can easily discover a vast multitude of foods. As a survivalist it is our responsibility to ourselves and to our families to be able to recognize and find these value food sources should we need them.

Granted most survival situations are not serious and are of short duration however it only takes one time to not have the proper knowledge. During these short duration emergencies the immediate demand remains shelter and potable water. Realizing that you have the knowledge to obtain food in the wild acts as a great comfort when lost even for a short period of time so be certain that you are up on these skills.

When in the backwoods you will encounter several basic different types of survival foods. Determining which type to use will depend upon where you are at as well as what equipment you have to work with.

Wild Berries represents the first group of foods you may encounter. This is also the simplest and easiest of the foods to obtain. Given the proper season you may possibly encounter several different berry selections to choose from. A simple rule of thumb to follow is if the berry looks or it tastes like a strawberry, blueberry or a raspberry then it must be one. For safety reasons most of the other berries that you may encounter you should be able to identify by looking at it. These berries would include June berries, wild currants, bearberries, bunchberries, wintergreen berries, wild cherries, blackberries, thimbleberries, rose hips and cranberries.

The second group of survival foods is those which originate from the water such as fish. It is safe to eat all of the freshwater fish found in North American waters. It is possible with little practice to catch a fish with your hands although in most cases this will not happen. Wait patiently as they swim by you and very quickly pin the fish to the bottom of the water with your hands. You may also chase the fish into a shallow pool of water and trap them there. If you happen to have an emergency fishing kit with you it is possible to use worms or grasshoppers to catch your fish.

Fish can be very evasive so in many cases it is easier to try and catch other survival foods within the stream or the lakes such as clams or mollusks which can easily be picked up. These are also easily prepared by cooking over an open fire. Crayfish can often be found crawling upon the bottom of the streams and the lakes or hiding under logs or rocks in the water. Keep in mind that the only usable parts of these crawfish are the tails.

Next there are the Insects and miscellaneous Bugs as a survival food. Be reminded that not all insects can safely be eaten. If you do not know for sure which ones they are stay with wood grubs and grasshoppers. Grasshoppers can easily be caught by hand in any grassy field while the grubs can be found by opening up a rotting log. They can eaten raw however you should cook and remove all legs and wings before eating them.

Birds represent another source of survival food in the backwoods. It is not likely that you will be able to kill or capture most bird unless you have a gun. The birds that nest on the ground may possibly be obtained with the use of a well aimed rock while they are nesting. The eggs from the ground nesting birds can be a good survival food.

Once again although larger animals will be prevalent it isn't likely that you are going to catch one without the proper weapon. It is extremely difficult to kill any of the mammals without some sort of gun. Don't for one moment think that you could use a spear or other primitive weapon to obtain an animal for dinner.

Backwoods - Cooking With Woods

2009-10-08T04:08:00.001-07:00

The history of cooking would probably begin with its relationship to wood. Primitive men cooked with sticks over an open flame, then we progressed to fireplaces. Then the Industrial Revolution brought cast iron cooking stoves.

Now that everything have been modernized and have gas and electric ranges we probably rarely find ourselves cooking with wood. But if you do end up having to cook with wood, whether cooking over an open pit when camping or wanting to do something different when in front of a cozy fire, there are techniques to cooking with wood that will make a difference in your finished product.

When cooking with wood, it is the bed of hot coals or embers that you want to cook over, not flames. This requires starting a fire at least three hours before you plan to cook so that you can have plenty of hot coals or embers when the fire burns down.

The number of good, hot coals produced depends on the type of wood you burn. When people who make a habit of cooking over a wood fire were asked what type of wood is preferred for cooking, all answered the same way: fruit wood. It not only provide the best coals, but lets off a pleasant aroma while doing so. Other favored woods are hardwoods such as elm, ash, oak and hickory. Before using hickory it is important to remember that it will add a "hickory smoked" flavor to your food.

When cooking on an open fire, whether fireplace or fire pit, the cooking times are approximately the same as a conventional stove as long as you have a good bed of coals.

When cooking a piece of meat over wood it is important to note that different meats cook differently. For example, small pieces of meat such as poultry cook best over a fast, hot bed of coals with some flame still in them. If you cook a roast or pork you can get the meat close to the fire for the first few minutes, turning it to seal in the juices, and then move it away from the high heat so it can cook slowly over a gentler fire. The back of the fire is a good place for this. It is also a good area to place pots of soup or water since the heat is slow and gentle.

When cooking over an open wood fire you can even use the ashes. You can put potatoes in ashes and scatter hot coals over them. Wipe them with a damp cloth to remove ashes before serving.

If you wish to fry over an open fire, it is best to have a steady hardwood fire instead of a low fire or a bed of coals.

When cooking on a wood stove there are a few universal tips, even though all wood stoves are different.

The first thing to remember about wood stoves is that they all require patience and time to get to know them.

When building your fire, remember that hardwoods burn slowly and evenly. Softwood, such as pine, should not be used for anything more than kindling when starting a fire, as it burns too hot and too quickly. You should always keep a combination of dry and green wood on hand. The dry wood for cranking up the fire and the green wood for slowing it down some.

Some of the actual cooking on a wood stove is similar to cooking over a pit or in a modern oven. When you're making soups or casseroles it is best to allow them to simmer all day at the back of the stove, just as the best place for them over an open pit is in the rear also. When baking, if you want to brown your baked goods move them to the top of the oven. To slow cooking down, move the dish to the bottom of the oven.

Baking bread in a wood stove gives it a thicker crust. You can cook some things in the ash pit of a wood stove just as you can an open fire. Grease potatoes and then put them in to bake. Fish can be baked in here also if wrapped in several layers of foil before being placed in the ashes. Cooking with wood can be an enjoyable experience, whether in the outdoors or within the home. It requires a bit of patience, but the taste that comes from cooking over wood makes it all worth it.

Backwoods: Cooking Fires

2009-10-08T03:14:00.001-07:00

As a general rule, fire making woods that are good for making friction fires make bad firewood, since they are low density and has no resin. The best woods include oak, hickory, madrone, manzanita, mesquite, and other dense hardwoods. The worst woods include pine sapwood and many other softwoods and willow, although these make good kindling. Wet wood burns cooler than dry wood, but burns relatively longer. Hard wood burns hotter than sapwood in general. Rotten wood is good for producing smoke, but not heat or light. Charcoal burns hotter than the wood it was made from as the volatile gases which produce flames burn at a relatively low temperature. So the coals are the hottest part of the fire, not the flames. Light comes from the burning gases. The firewood you can actually get always burns better than the firewood you wish you had, but you'll need more of the poor stuff. Think of wood as calories. Better wood has more calories per piece, so can do more work.

The easiest, but slowest way to get a bed of coals is to build a huge log fire and wait a few hours. This takes the least effort and the most wood. To get quick efficient coals, burn small pieces of wood. In the Scouts, the rule was to find wood (or split it into pieces) the diameter of your thumb. The wood were neatly stacked next to the fire and added as needed to maintain a constant temperature. When cooking directly on the coals, the new wood is added at one end of the fire and the coals are pushed down into the cooking area. If you are using wood that doesn't make coals, you need to add pieces often to maintain any heat.

Fire pit construction varies according to weather conditions, wind direction, what and how much you are cooking and the type of fire wood that is available. Once your fire is started the two important things to manage are fuel and air flow. If you are building a fire in a windy place such as the grassy plains, you need to dig out a deep fire well.

The extreme version of this requires two holes dug about a foot deep and a foot apart. They are connected at the bottom by a tunnel. A pot or grill can be placed over one hole, while the other provides access for fuel and air. The grassy plains fire is also very efficient, requiring less fuel, as almost all the heat is put to work. Moderately windy conditions can be handled with a wind screen of rocks or logs.

My standard cooking fire is dug down about four to ten inches, depending on soil type and wind. If the wind is not too strong, line up the pit so the breeze flows parallel to it. Make sure the wind isn't blowing the smoke to where you want to sit while you cook. The pit is then lined with the flattest and driest stones I can find, including the bottom. Stones that contain moisture tend to explode as the water becomes steam. The stones come up another four to six inches above ground level.

If I am going to do a pit roast, another, deeper pit is dug a foot or so past one end of the main fire, and the hump of dirt between the two is not rock covered. Pit ovens should be dug deep and wide enough to accommodate a stone lining and a green vegetation lining as well as the food. The area between can be used to generate coals to replenish the cooking area, heat rocks for stone boiling or covering the baking pit. The length of the fire varies according to the number of people cooking, the width is from one and a half to two and a half feet. One or two people can easily cook on an 18" round fire.

CAUTION- always examine the soil in and around your fire. If it is organic, full of roots and other burnable stuff, then build a fire on top of rocks, bedrock if possible. Seal off your fire from the flammable material and really drench the fire when you leave so you won't have to explain your foolishness to a firefighter later on.

Backwoods How Campfire Cooking Works

2009-10-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

Finally, it's time for the backwoods camping trip. There really is nothing like sleeping under the stars and getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Of course, they don't call it "roughing it" for nothing. Certain parts of the backwoods camping experience are less than appealing, and the food can be one of them. There's no denying cooking becomes quite a bit harder when you leave your cook-top and oven back in the kitchen. But these days there are some options to make your excursion much easier, and technology is on your side. As long as you do some research and plan ahead, you might find that cooking over a fire is not as tough as you expected.

Campfire cooking is easy to learn but difficult to master. You might use similar ingredients, but it's not like cooking at home. You don't have the convenience of a refrigerator or an oven with ready-made heat. Unless you had someone to teach you how to build a contained fire, you will need to know the proper methods of creating that essential flame. Building the ideal cooking fire depends on what you're cooking.

Since you won't have your twenty-piece knife set, your colander, waffle iron and all your other kitchen luxuries, you'll need to know what cooking equipment to buy and bring for your backwoods camping trip. To go along with your new equipment, you'll need to learn the proper campfire cooking techniques that can help you prepare a variety of foods over a fire.

Building the Ideal Cooking Fire

The first step in building the perfect cooking fire is finding the perfect wood. The ideal wood for cooking fires is dry hardwood. Cutting branches off of live trees will only make your cooking experience more tiresome. Live, green wood will produce a very smoky fire and may release pollution into the atmosphere. If you can't find any dry firewood near your campsite, you may be able to buy some at the campground office or a local general store.

Once you've got your wood you'll need to select the location of your campfire. The best campfire spots are flat, rocky and clear of any bushes or low-lying tree branches. If there's already an established fire pit at your campsite, it's best to use it for your campfire as well. Once you've got your site picked out, try and round up a dozen or so softball-sized rocks and arrange them in a 'U'-shape for your fire pit. If it's windy out, you'll want to be careful to maintain your fire so that windswept ashes don't start another fire elsewhere. As for your fire pit, if you can locate a large rock, place it toward the wind with the rest of the pit behind. This will help your fire get a good start and will funnel the smoke in one direction while you're cooking.

Now that your pit is established, begin laying crumpled paper along the bottom of the pit. Cover the paper with small, thin kindling twigs -- lay them flat across the paper in alternating directions. Start your fire by lighting the paper below the kindling wood, and as the kindling wood catches fire, begin adding the larger pieces of wood and do your best to distribute them evenly. As the fire burns and turns to coals, use a stick to shift some of the coals toward one end or the other, which will make one side of the fire hotter than the other. Once the fire has died down, place a grill across the rocks and get to cooking.

Campfire Cooking Equipment

The most important things you'll need for campfire cooking are planning and patience. Utensils, pots, pans and modern camper-friendly kitchen supplies will not cook your meals for you. And, as avid campers know, something unexpected can always happen, so it's best to be prepared with a plan. Be sure to plan all of your meals ahead of time and ensure that ingredients can be kept cool if necessary. Measuring and separating ingredients, or cooking them so that they can simply be reheated, before you leave on your trip can be a big help.

The most popular campfire cooking tool is the Dutch oven. The large, thick pot and lid are primarily used hanging from a tripod over the fire. However, you can also use a Dutch oven on a grill set up over the campfire or as a large serving bowl if you're camping with a group.

Most of the cooking equipment you'll need can be found in the average kitchen, but make sure your kitchen supplies are durable enough to brave the great outdoors before you decide to bring them along. For instance, the wooden spoon you use at home is not a good idea for cooking over an open fire. Similarly, cast iron pots and pans are much better suited for the rigors of cooking in a fire pit. Although they may be bulkier and heavier to transport, the longer your cooking utensils are, the further your hands will be from the fire.

Campfire Cooking Techniques

The fire's crackling away, and all the cooking equipment you could scour up is ready to go. The great thing about campfire cooking techniques is that there are so many to choose from. You don't have to follow one method of cooking and never stray. Different foods cook up better in different ways, so remember to think outside the skillet.

One option you might consider is to use hardwood coals in your fire, which will allow you to cook food right on top of the coals. Bread for toasting, biscuits and meat are all delicious when cooked directly on the hot coals because they have that grilled taste. Like coals, a rock is also a good conductor of heat, so if you find a dry rock that is flat and thin, it can be used similarly in the fire.

Surprisingly, leaves can be used in a campfire cooking. You can wrap your prepared meat in cabbage or lettuce leaves and place the wrap directly on the coals. This will keep your meat moist.

If you have an empty coffee can just hanging around your place, bring it. Coffee cans can hold large portions of food for cooking, almost like a casserole dish. You can layer your meats and vegetables inside the coffee can, then cover the can with foil and place it on the coals. It might also be a good idea to cover the foil with coals, too. This will make the heating process more like oven cooking.

You can even cook food inside other food. For example, if you take the insides out of an orange, fill the orange peel with cake mix and wrap foil around the orange before you place it on the fire, you will be able to eat cake in about 10 minutes.

Campfire cooking is full of possibilities. Sure, you can use a skillet to make scrambled eggs or use a Dutch oven to make donuts. But you also have many alternative techniques available to you when cooking over an open fire.

Now you're all set to make a gourmet meal out on the trails! Pack up all the necessary equipment and bring your friends along so you can impress them with your backwoods survival skills.

Backwoods Survival Food And cooking tools

2009-10-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

After supplying him- or herself with shelter, water, and warmth, the survivalist must give attention to the search for nourishment. However, even after locating food, folks who find themselves unexpectedly stranded in the backwoods aren't likely to have much in the way of supplies or cooking equipment. For that reason, this article is to describing survival cooking techniques that require no ready-made tools or other manufactured gear. The only implements mentioned will be those you can easily make yourself, and the rudimentary skills used to fashion them should be within the capabilities of almost anyone.

Naturally, the first thing to consider when survival cooking becomes necessary is how best to prepare the meal with the materials at hand. Stewing is probably the most useful all-round cooking method because it's simple, a stew can be saved—and added to—from one meal to the next, and the various combinations of food can provide plenty of nutrition. Unfortunately, making a stew does require a cooking vessel of some kind. Pit cooking is a good second choice, but it is both time- and effort-intensive. Spit roasting and frying are adequate, too . . . but not as desirable as the first two options, because much of the nutritional value of the food is often lost in such preparations.

Fire is one of humankind's most important tools, and its value is magnified in a survival situation. Not only does it provide warmth for the body and heat for cooking, but it can also serve as a means of carving, bending, and forming implements that are necessary for backwoods living: And since, when faced with an unexpected emergency, many people are likely to lack even a pocketknife, fire must often be relied on to make the cooking utensils that are essential to assuring long-term subsistence.

Bones, Sticks, Stone and Fire

With the help of fire, a simple cooking container—a pot, a cup, or a spoon—can be made in the backwoods Your first task is to find a suitable log or branch. Simply look around the area until you locate a chunk of wood that's neither punk nor rotten, but big enough to be made into a practicable container. A piece of timber that will hold a quart or two of liquid and solids when its center has been burnt out to form a bowl will make a good stew pot.

Take care, however, that you don't use a variety of tree that's potentially poisonous. Try to utilize pines, cedars, hemlocks, firs, oaks, hickories, and sassafras to make cooking utensils and containers. And remember: Hardwoods take more time and effort to burn out, but they're better than softwoods at holding foodstuffs without allowing liquids to seep into the container walls.

Once you've selected a suitable chunk of raw material, chip away the bark from one side until you have a flat surface, or platform. Then place hot, glowing embers from your fire in the center of the level spot and blow on them, causing them to burn slowly into the wood.

Because the coals will tend to burn directly down, you'll find that the process creates a natural bowl shape. Using this technique, you should be able to fashion a one- to two-quart pot from a cedar log in a little less than an hour. (Harder woods like oak can take two hours or more.) With a bit of practice and patience you'll find that containers of several sizes can be fashioned fairly quickly and adapted to a wide variety of uses in your backwoods kitchen.

After charring the depression to the size and shape you want, use a sharp stone to scrape out the burnt, flaky residue inside the bowl. Then find a rounded rock and use it as a sanding stone to grind out and finish your work. The result will be a vessel that's very effective for cooking and holding foods.

Fashioning a spoon involves a similar operation. Simply take a piece of wood about half inch thick and six to seven inches long, and place a single hot coal close to one end. Blow on the ember steadily until a small, dish-shaped depression has been formed. Then scrape out the burned area, and use a rock to sand or carve the rest of the wood to a shape that suits your hand.

Actually, you'll find that stones are useful for more than merely scraping and carving utensils. In fact, they're among the best all; purpose tools available to the survivalist. A rock can do just about anything that an axe, knife, or piece of sandpaper can, and the earth provides us with a wide assortment of stone shapes and textures from which to choose.

Rocks can, for example, be struck against one another to form sharp fragments or edges good for scraping and cutting a variety of materials. They can also be used for grinding and whetting, since their many variations in grit and texture make them fit for a number of such tasks. You can even form a rock into a dish or metate, for grinding wild grains, by hitting it with a hammer stone (a small, easily held rock that's harder than the one you're shaping) in a circular, pecking motion. True, the procedure will take a long time . . . but any tool that you can make of rock is likely to improve your chances of getting out of a survival situation alive and in good health.

Bones can also become good tools. By selecting suitable ones (such as the cannon bone from a deer) and sharpening them on a rock with a simple abrading motion, you can produce serviceable knives, scrapers, and awls.

Cooking Techniques

All animals that you intend to eat should be thoroughly cooked to insure that any parasites they might contain will be destroyed . . . in other words, treat all meat as though it were pork. Each creature should be eviscerated, skinned, and carefully checked for any diseases or abnormalities prior to cooking. Some plants, too, must be cooked to render them edible, because many contain poisons that need to be destroyed by heat.

Here, are half a dozen reliable backwoods food-preparation methods.

Rock boiling. This is not only one of the oldest forms of cooking, but probably also the most useful in situations when you're forced to employ a container that can't be heated directly over a fire. Using hot rocks, food can be cooked in one of the hollowed-out wooden vessels described in this article . . . and much of the nutrition contained in the raw ingredients will be retained.

The best rocks for this purpose are small and rounded, about the size of golf balls. However, because some stones store water in tiny cracks and fissures, it's best not to take them from streams or other damp areas. Heating such a rock can cause the water it contains to vaporize and expand, often exploding the stone dangerously. For that reason, only bone-dry rocks should be used. I also recommend that sandstone, flint, obsidian, quartz, and any other hard, fire formed silicate types be avoided, as they tend to shatter when heated and then placed in water.

To cook your meal, collect from six to ten small stones and heat them in a fire for about two hours (when in an actual survival situation, it's a good idea to keep a number of them in your fire at all times). Place the edible plants and animal parts you intend to cook in your hollowed log, cover them with water, and then remove a rock from the fire with a forked stick or a set of twig tongs and put it in the cooking pot. The water around the rock will begin to boil at once, and, as you keep heating and adding stones, all the liquid in the container will eventually be bubbling. When the boiling begins to slow, remove the first rocks and replace them with fresh ones, continuing the process until your dinner is ready.

Spit Cooking. Another ancient form of food preparation, open-fire roasting, is quick but does tend to waste much of the nutritional value of the food. A gutted, skinned, and cleaned animal is simply skewered on a spit made from a thin (nonpoisonous) sapling, suspended over the heat, and turned frequently. (It's best to cook over coals, since open flame will char the meat.) Roots and tubers can be added to the spit and cooked along with the meat, shish kebab style, or wrapped in wet leaves or grasses and roasted in the coals

Pit Cooking. This method is as effective and nutritious as stew cooking, but requires considerably more time and effort. First, dig a hole in the ground (for a rabbit, as an example, your pit would measure about two feet square and one and a half feet deep), line the bottom with flat, dry rocks, and build a fire over the stones, allowing it to burn for at least three hours (until the rocks are hot and glowing). Then, about two and a half hours before you plan to eat, scrape out the remainder of the fire and the coals, and line the pit with at least eight inches of green, nonpoisonous grasses. On top of these, place the food to be cooked: meat, tubers, roots, or other hearty fare (herbs and such are likely to burn up if you try cooking them this way). Next, place another eight inches of grasses over the food . . . then seal off the pit with slabs of bark. Finally, cover it with at least six inches of earth and allow the meal to cook for about two and a half hours. When it's time to eat, just scrape the dirt away, remove the bark, and pull out the greenery . . . being careful not to burn yourself, since the grass will be hot and steamy. Your food will be well-cooked, and should have retained most of its natural juices.

Fry-Rock Method. A fry rock is simply a flat, thin rock that has been cleaned of all dirt and debris (I like to scour mine with some horsetail or dried grasses to remove the dust and grit). Place the fry rock over the fire, propped on three or four small stones, and allow it to get hot. You'll find you can cook just about anything with the same results you'd get from a metal frying pan. But while it's a quick and easy cooking method, rock frying will deprive you of many of your food's essential nutrients.

Rock Oven Baking. You can make an oven alongside your fire pit by building a rectangular structure of rock with its opening facing the fire. Close off the back, sides, and top with dirt and sod, and the box will catch and retain some of the heat given off by the flames, allowing you to bake food in it as you would in a stove's oven. The temperature can be controlled either by shifting the position of the fire, or by letting it die down. (When removing your meal, keep your hands well away from the rocks. They'll be very hot and could cause severe burns.)

Board or Rock Reflector System. This simple method uses a rock or slab of wood (again, be sure it's from a nonpoisonous tree) propped, at about a 45° angle, in such a way that the heat from the fire will slowly bake meat that's been placed against the reflector. The food should be turned often for even cooking.

Backwoods camping And Cooking Equipment

2009-10-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

Camping enables you to enjoy a different kind of vacation experience because you’ll be roughing it out in the backwoods, cooking by the campfire, hunting food or fishing or bathing in river waters, and so on. It’s an experience that will enhance your survival skills and shape up you personality like nothing else can.

One of the most thrilling aspects of camping is cooking by the campfire. However, in some campsites you cannot have an open fire for cooking and so you have to bring along Camping Cooking Equipment to do your cooking.

You might need different kinds of Camping Cooking Equipment for different purposes. For example you will need Steel Tripods for handing the kettle, Dutch Oven for No Open Fire Cooking, Stove for Heating or Cast Iron Cookers for Toasting Sandwiches and so on. The right Camping Cooking Equipment can make all the difference in the way your cooking turns out. Here is a look at some tips on how to choose the right equipment:

* Look for equipment from well-known brands. This way you can be sure that the equipment will work as expected and that it will last for quite sometime.

* Buy equipment that is lightweight and which is easy-to-carry-around. You don’t want to carry a ton with you when camping.

* Make a list of the kind of foods you want to cook. Check if a couple of them can be made with the same type of cooking item. For example, frying pan can server many purposes. This enables you to carry minimal camping equipment.

* Check out the space available for placing cooking equipment in your vehicle or your backpack. You should carry only as much as you can take with you. So, don’t dump a lot of cookware into your luggage.

* Look into the cookware material. Aluminum, Non-Stick Cookware is expensive, but easy-to-handle, while Cast Iron Cooking Equipment is good for cooking, but heavy. You can opt for staginess tell equipment also, which is durable.

* Many people opt for discounts when getting their cookware because they feel it’s only cooking stuff, so why bother about getting a standard rate when it available at low rates. The thing about such offers is that low rates means low quality and if the equipment does not work in the backwoods as expected you have to fend for yourself through other ways.

* In case you are planning to get used Camping Cooking Equipment, be sure to check this like the fuel container, the knobs and the overall maintenance of the cookware before buying. This ensures that you get one that fine and which you can rely on for using while camping.

Look into these points and you can be sure of finding the right kind of camping equipment for your cooking requirements. You can also look into the latest kinds of cookware and cooking equipment to get something that offers a bit more than what you generally have seen in cooking equipment so far. The best way to do this is to check the cooking equipment section of camping gear store and online sites that sell camping gear. You can check out features and make price comparisons before deciding what to buy.

How To Pick A Tent Spot

2009-10-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

It's said that we can learn from our experiences good or bad -- or at least have the opportunities to learn. My most embarrassing campsite-selection experiences certainly drove home a few lessons.

Years ago, I camped out on my way from the Mississippi to the West Coast looking for a job. My bad habit of driving until near dark led to a few questionable campsite choices.

One misty night, with no flashlight batteries , I set up my borrowed tent in the dark. I fell asleep thinking that climbing into the tent had been awkward.

The next morning, nearby campers watched and grinned as I exited the tent and learned why it had felt so odd. In the dark, I had pitched the tent on its side.

A couple of nights later, I pitched it -- correctly -- in the dark on a strip of land that allowed camping.

I woke in the middle of the night, ground shaking and the air split by a roar. I unzipped the tent, peered out and discovered that I was 70 feet from railroad tracks -- and a speeding train.

The third experience was I set up the tent in a dry stream in west Texas with a storm on the way. The storm came and the stream started running I had to take up camp in the middle of the night.

That's an exaggeration, but you get my point: Before you leave home, waterproof your tent if it's been in use for a few years.

Here are tips about choosing a campsite after a hike. Of course, take the ten essentials plus common sense.

Be realistic about how far you can hike. When you're exhausted, any site will do, even if there's a price to pay.

If you're not in a designated site, camp away from the trail and out of sight of hikers so your voices and other camp sounds don't carry to hikers.

Before you pitch your tent, look up. Dead trees and branches follow the laws of gravity, and widow-makers are named that for a reason.

Stay away from grassy meadows, which are easily damaged, especially at higher elevations. A soft grassy spot probably has mosquitoes, dampness and lumps.

Pick a flat site or you'll be dealing with gravity all night.

Weather should be a factor in site selection. If it's sunny and hot, pick a shady, cooler area for protection and to keep the tent cool.

Because cold air sinks into valleys, consider a hillside site if the weather is crisp. If mosquitoes are beyond annoying, pitch your tent in a breezier area.

And if there's wind and rain, large rocks and trees can help protect the appropriately located tent. Place the back of the tent toward the wind.

Minimize your impact. In many parks it's mandatory to camp 200 feet or more from a water source to avoid contamination from overuse, soapy water and toilet drainage. And still water is mosquito-breeding territory.

Do not dig a trench against rain runoff. It's up to you to find the appropriate site and not dig up the landscape.

For a natural alarm clock, orient the tent toward sunrise. This is the side that will be warmer. If the tent is out from under trees, the sun will evaporate some of the dew before you pack it.

Backwoods: Primitive Hunting For Survival

2009-10-02T06:02:00.001-07:00

In a backwoods survival saturation food is the last thing you should worry about. Shelter, fire, water and signaling for help are far more important. Remember the rule of 3's... You can die from exposure to the elements in 3 hours, you can die from lack of water in 3 days, but it takes 3 weeks or more to die of starvation. 3 weeks is a long time, so plan for your essentials first. If you have your other bases covered, then you can start planning for food. Snaring and fishing are your best bets, as they allow for you to "set and forget", which means that you conserve energy. All hunting should be done with as little energy expenditure as possible. Find a comfortable spot and wait for dinner to come to you.
The Hunting and snaring skills that I will cover are very different from what most people might be thinking. There are no spring steel bear traps or scoped hunting rifles discussed here. All of the tips and tricks involve primitive weapons and snares. Primitive hunting tools are often the most effective. One could spend a lot of time building a bow and some arrows, but unless your arrows are masterfully crafted, they will fly everywhere except where you intend them to go. Even a modern bow with modern arrows requires a modicum of skill and a lot of practice to be an effective hunting weapon. .

Throwing Stick

One of the most ancient, yet effective tools for hunting small game is the throwing stick. A throwing stick is thrown sidearm so that it spins The stick is typically 2 to 3 feet long depending on the size and strength of the user. It is also very thick (about as big around as the wrist of the user) and heavy (typically made of hardwood). The ends can be either blunt or sharpened. I prefer to put a very slight point (a skull crusher or pommel point, as it is known). The whole point to the throwing stick is that (thrown sideways) you only have to be within 2 or 3 feet of your target to actually hit it. This is a very effective tool for hunting rabbits and other small ground critters.

Caveman Throwing Star

An ancient, yet effective tool for hunting small game is the throwing stick. An improvement on that tool is to effectively double it up for a heavier tool with more points. It probably had a name (something like Grunt, Ugh), but I call it the Caveman Throwing Star. Like the throwing stick, the Caveman Throwing Star is thrown sidearm so that it spins. He whole point to the Caveman Throwing Star is that you only have to be within 2 or 3 feet of your target to actually hit it. You have 4 bone crushing tips, and the chances of one hitting it's target is high. This is a very effective tool for hunting rabbits and other small ground critters

Spear Weapons

Spears are what you typically think of when you consider primitive weapons. They are very primitive as far as weapons go, but they do have the unique advantage over a knife of allowing you to keep a distance from quarry or as a defense against predators. A good spear might be something to consider making if you are lost in bear country! As far as using a spear as a survival tool for hunting, I would strongly recommend against it unless you are lost with a bunch of your friends, and plan to drive bison over cliffs with spears and torches... not bloody likely. As I mentioned above, it might not be a bad idea to have a spear/walking stick as a defensive tool depending on where you are, and what critters may be about. In that case, do not make it super long. About as tall as you and heavy hardwood is what I'd recommend. A nice fire hardened tip is fine. Don't waste your time trying to whittle flint spearheads, .

BACKWOODS: Prepartion of fish and game for cooking and storage

2009-09-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

You must know how to prepare fish and game for cooking and storage in a backwoods survival situation. Improper cleaning or storage can result in inedible fish or game.

Fish

Do not eat fish that appears spoiled. Cooking does not ensure that spoiled fish will be edible. Signs of spoilage are--

Sunken eyes.
Peculiar odor.
Suspicious color. (Gills should be red to pink. Scales should be a pronounced shade of gray, not faded.)
Dents stay in the fish's flesh after pressing it with your thumb.
Slimy, rather than moist or wet body.
Sharp or peppery taste.

Eating spoiled or rotten fish may cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps, vomiting, itching, paralysis, or a metallic taste in the mouth. These symptoms appear suddenly, one to six hours after eating. Induce vomiting if symptoms appear.

Fish spoils quickly after death, especially on a hot day. Prepare fish for eating as soon as possible after catching it. Cut out the gills and large blood vessels that lie near the spine. Gut fish that is more than 10 centimeters long. Scale or skin the fish.

You can put a whole fish on a stick and cook it over an open fire. However, boiling the fish with the skin on is the best way to get the most food value. The fats and oil are under the skin and, by boiling, you can save the juices for broth. You can use any of the methods used to cook plant food to cook fish. Pack fish into a ball of clay and bury it in the coals of a fire until the clay hardens. Break open the clay ball to get to the cooked fish. Fish is done when the meat flakes off. If you plan to keep the fish for later, smoke or fry it. To prepare fish for smoking, cut off the head and remove the backbone.

Snakes

To skin a snake, first cut off its head and bury it. Then cut the skin down the body 15 to 20 centimeters. Peel the skin back, then grasp the skin in one hand and the body in the other and pull apart. On large, bulky snakes it may be necessary to slit the belly skin. Cook snakes in the same manner as small game. Remove the entrails and discard. Cut the snake into small sections and boil or roast it.

Birds

After killing the bird, remove its feathers by either plucking or skinning. Remember, skinning removes some of the food value. Open up the body cavity and remove its entrails, saving the craw (in seed-eating birds), heart, and liver. Cut off the feet. Cook by boiling or roasting over a spit. Before cooking scavenger birds, boil them at least 20 minutes to kill parasites.

Skinning and Butchering Game

Bleed the animal by cutting its throat. If possible, clean the carcass near a stream. Place the carcass belly up and split the hide from throat to tail, cutting around all sexual organs. Remove the musk glands at points A and B to avoid tainting the meat. For smaller mammals, cut the hide around the body and insert two fingers under the hide on both sides of the cut and pull both pieces off.

Remove the entrails from smaller game by splitting the body open and pulling them out with the fingers. Do not forget the chest cavity. For larger game, cut the gullet away from the diaphragm. Roll the entrails out of the body. Cut around the anus, then reach into the lower abdominal cavity, grasp the lower intestine, and pull to remove. Remove the urine bladder by pinching it off and cutting it below the fingers. If you spill urine on the meat, wash it to avoid tainting the meat. Save the heart and liver. Cut these open and inspect for signs of worms or other parasites. Also inspect the liver's color; it could indicate a diseased animal. The liver's surface should be smooth and wet and its color deep red or purple. If the liver appears diseased, discard it. However, a diseased liver does not indicate you cannot eat the muscle tissue.

Cut along each leg from above the foot to the previously made body cut. Remove the hide by pulling it away from the carcass, cutting the connective tissue where necessary. Cut off the head and feet.

Cut larger game into manageable pieces. First, slice the muscle tissue connecting the front legs to the body. There are no bones or joints connecting the front legs to the body on four-legged animals. Cut the hindquarters off where they join the body. You must cut around a large bone at the top of the leg and cut to the ball and socket hip joint. Cut the ligaments around the joint and bend it back to separate it. Remove the large muscles (the tenderloin) that lie on either side of the spine. Separate the ribs from the backbone. There is less work and less wear on your knife if you break the ribs first, then cut through the breaks.

Cook large meat pieces over a spit or boil them. You can stew or boil smaller pieces, particularly those that remain attached to bone after the initial butchering, as soup or broth. You can cook body organs such as the heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys using the same methods as for muscle meat. You can also cook and eat the brain. Cut the tongue out, skin it, boil it until tender, and eat it.

Smoking Meat

To smoke meat, prepare an enclosure around a fire. Two ponchos snapped together will work. The fire does not need to be big or hot. The intent is to produce smoke, not heat. Do not use resinous wood in the fire because its smoke will ruin the meat. Use hardwoods to produce good smoke. The wood should be somewhat green. If it is too dry, soak it. Cut the meat into thin slices, no more than 6 centimeters thick, and drape them over a framework. Make sure none of the meat touches another piece. Keep the poncho enclosure around the meat to hold the smoke and keep a close watch on the fire. Do not let the fire get too hot. Meat smoked overnight in this manner will last about 1 week. Two days of continuous smoking will preserve the meat for 2 to 4 weeks. Properly smoked meat will look like a dark, curled, brittle stick and you can eat it without further cooking. You can also use a pit to smoke meat.

What Is The Best Backwoods Survival Gear

2009-09-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

What is the most important backwoods survival gear campers must take with them on outdoor adventures? If you’re trying to survive in the backwoods three things are critically important: first) fire or cooking gear second) shelter and third) clothing and equipment. So fire-making and shelter building skills are vital if you ever find yourself stranded outdoors.

1) Build a Fire – If you’re ever lost or stranded in the backwoods, building a fire is your number one priority. The fire will help to keep you warm, keep predators at bay and provide something to cook food on. Your fire should be built in a sandy or rocky area or near sand and water. So some of the most valuable backwoods survival gear you will ever own are: your matches!

Waterproof, strike-anywhere matches are great as are a cigarette lighter. You can also get a spark going using the flint and steel method. Make sure to aim the sparks at a pile of dry tinder. Electric sparks from a battery will ignite a rag dampened in gasoline. Any items that will help you start a fire are your most important pieces of backwoods survival gear.

2) Build a Shelter – Building a shelter which is insulated from the bottom, and protected from wind and snow can save your life. Any tools that can help you construct a shelter are critical backwoods survival gear. These may include string, rope, plastic, your tarp, or space blanket and anything you can use for digging. If you need to explore a cave make sure that you use a piece of string to guide you in and out.

You can enlarge a pit beneath a fallen tree and line it with bark or tree boughs or build a rock shelter in the shape of a U. The roof can be covered with driftwood and a tarp. You can also build a lean-to with poles or fallen trees and cover it with plastic, boughs, thick grasses or bark. Natural materials can function as backwoods survival gear during an emergency.

3) Clothing and Equipment – Backwoods survival gear includes any items that can offer you protection from the wind, rain, cold or snow. Natural fibers are best and can be layered. Wear your hat and make sure you have a waterproof outer layer.

4) Equipment – Backwoods survival gear and equipment should be easy to carry or use and help you to survive. If it doesn’t fit into this category leave it behind. Fire starters, waterproof matches and/or lighter, a pocket knife, goggles, compass, small first-aid kits and trail food are all essential and useful items.

5) Survival Kit – You can pack important backwoods survival gear in a waterproof container. This container can be used as a cooking pot and water receptacle and attached to your belt. A good backpack is also important. Pack a flashlight, extra jacket, socks and mittens, a pocket saw, gas camp stove, first-aid kit, emergency food, and a tent and fly. Whistles and flares are useful items in an emergency.

Survival Food In The Backwoods

2009-09-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

It is good to know what survival foods are out there. Although such knowledge can save the lives of lost backpackers and hikers, it isn't likely. Most survival situations are short-term, and the primary concerns are shelter and water. Knowing how to readily obtain food too, however, is a great psychological comfort, and can help maintain a sense of calm and a clear mind. These can be important to survival.

There are several basic categories of survival foods in the backwoods. Which ones you'll want to use depends on where you are and what tools you have. Here are the foods most likely available.

Wild Berries

This is the easiest survival foods to obtain. If it is the right time of year, you can often find several different edible berries to choose from. If it looks and tastes like a blueberry, strawberry or raspberry, it is. Others you may want to learn to identify include wild currants, June berries, bear berries, wintergreen berries, bunch berries, wild cherries, thimble berries, blackberries, cranberries, and rose hips.

Fish And Other Foods From Water

All freshwater fish in North America are safe to eat. Sometimes you can catch fish with your bare hands. Try waiting where they swim by, and quickly pinning them to the bottom with your hand. You can sometimes chase fish into shallow water and trap them as well. If you can fashion line and a hook from items you have, use worms or grasshoppers for bait.

Often it is easier to obtain other survival foods from lakes and streams. Shell fish, like mollusks or clams can often just be picked up (boil or cook them over a fire). Crayfish can be found crawling around on the bottom of lakes and streams, as well as hiding under rocks and logs in the water. The only part with any usable quantity of meat is the tail, but they are delicious.

Insects And Other Bugs

Not all insects are safe to eat. To be safe, stick with grasshoppers and wood grubs. The former can be caught by hand in many grassy areas. The latter are found by breaking open rotten logs. Cook both of these before eating. Remove legs and wings from grasshoppers.

Birds

It is difficult to capture or kill most birds without a gun. Survival weapons like a bola can be used, but unless you have previously practiced using them, it is unlikely you'll have much success. There are some that nest on the ground, though, such as ptarmigan or grouse, which can possibly be taken with a well-aimed rock. Since they often return to the same place, you may get more than one chance. Eggs from ground-nesting birds are also a good survival food.

Larger Animals

Without weapons it is very difficult to kill most animals. Even with spears and other survival weapons it isn't likely that you'll have much luck, unless you have previously practiced using them. Don't waste time trying until all your other needs (shelter, water, signal fire) are met. There is one animal you can kill with a rock or large stick, the porcupine. Be careful of the sharp quills, cut and clean them from the underside. The porcupine are slow (and tasty), making them one of the better survival foods.

Finding Food and Water to Survive in the Backwoods

2009-09-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

If you find yourself stranded backwoods, the key to your survival is finding three specific things: shelter, food, and water. Now, in some backwoods situations where the elements are not too severe, you can survive without shelter. But it is impossible to survive without food and water. Knowing what to do in the case of an emergency situation can go a long way towards making sure you get home in the best health possible.

A normal person can go three full days without water, and three weeks without food. So if you find yourself stranded, the first thing you need to find is water. Keep in mind that water in stagnant sources is often contaminated. In order to protect yourself, always travel with water purification options, such as halazone tablets or iodine drops. If you find moving water it is less likely to be contaminated. You can still add purification measures to the water to stay safe.

Always carry a container that you can fill with water. When you find a water source, fill your container. You will be more mobile if you have a water source you can carry with you. If you cannot find naturally occurring water, there are other ways to find water. Try collecting the dew off of plants. You can also collect rainwater. The juices of fish are a source of hydration, although not an appealing one. The thing to keep in mind, however, is that your ultimate goal is simply survival. Also, avoid doing too much physical activity if you are limited on water availability. The more exercise your body does, the more water it will need.

Finding food is less crucial, because you can live three weeks without food. There are places that you can find food in the backwoods fairly easily. If you brought emergency rations with you, save those until all of the natural sources of food have been exhausted.

What you eat will depend a lot on the amount of water available to you. Remember that it takes more water to digest protein than it does to digest carbohydrates. Also, naturally occurring carbohydrates, such as fruit, have water in them. So if you are in a limited water situation, fill up on carbohydrates, avoiding meat and other protein sources.

Make use of whatever fruits and berries you can find. If you are not familiar with the fruit you find, a good rule of thumb is to avoid any berries that are red or white. Most of the poisonous berries are either red or white in color. All grass seeds are edible. If you find a plant with an edible root, remember that there is tremendous nutritional value in eating the roots of plants.

Avoid eating wild mushrooms, unless you can clearly identify them. Most wild mushrooms are perfectly safe to eat, but there are several varieties that are poisonous, and if you do not know how to identify the safe ones it is best to stay away. Remember that insects such as grasshoppers and locusts are edible. You can eat them live or roast them. Frogs, lizards, and turtles are other sources of protein that are fairly easy to catch. While these foods might not be your first choice for lunch, remember your goal is survival!

Backswoods Survival - Have you got what it take?

2009-09-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

Backwoods survival isn't about skills and knowledge alone. These help, but you also need to have the will to survive. Then you need to prioritize. Here are the most important priorities.

1. Attitude

One thing you'll notice right away if you read many stories of backwoods survival, is that many people are alive who shouldn't be. Perhaps they crash a plane and then wander into the backwoods where they can't be easily found. Sometimes they almost freeze to death even though there are plants that could be used to cloth and shelter them. Why are they alive? A strong will to live.

The will to live is a great start. It has been responsible for survival in the most terrible conditions. But you also should develop the real belief that survival is possible. How? By thinking of your favorite stories of survival against impossible odds. By focusing always on the things you can do. Don't ignore something that can go wrong, but don't think about it for a minute without also deciding what you can do about it.

2. Body Temperature

Hypothermia- the loss of body heat - is the primary killer in backwoods survival situations. Staying warm means staying dry, having enough insulation, and staying out of the wind as much as is possible. Consider all your options. You can sleep during the day and travel in the cold of the night in some environments, and thus stay warmer. You can stuff dried grass between layers of clothing for more insulation, or make a fire.

In hot environments you might want to travel at night or early in the morning, and sleep in the shade during the heat of the day. You can also fashion an umbrella of any materials available, to shade yourself as you walk. water that isn't drinkable can still be used to cool you, by soaking clothing in it. A wet handkerchief around your neck will cool you noticeably.

3. Hydration

Water is far ahead of food as a priority. You can generally live just a few days without water in a survival situation. Once you have shelter, you should immediately locate a water supply, and find a way to purify it. If obtaining water will be a continuing problem, try to reduce your need. You can stay in the shade more, breath through your nose instead of your mouth, and use water only for drinking, not washing.

4. Safety

I like the "Man Against Wild" television show. It's entertaining, and I even learn something now and then. But the host loves to show off his skills and daring more than his careful thinking. Don't jump off a cliff into water or climb down a water fall to save a bit of bush-whacking (he did both in recent shows). Go around obstacles, move slow on dangerous terrain, and generally try your best to stay uninjured.

5. Get Found

Your goal in most outdoor survival situations will be to be found while you are still alive. If you have reason to think that people are looking for you, you generally want to stay where you are. Have a signal fire ready to light to help searchers find you. If you have good reason to try to get out on your own leave a note and mark your trail just in case.

6. Food

From a strictly physiological perspective, food is a low priority in most outdoor survival situations. Almost all survivors in the backwoods, whether lost hikers, boaters or plane wreck survivors, are rescued or dead from other causes long before starvation can kill them. On the other hand, having something to eat can help you maintain strength, warmth, and a sense of comfort.

Unlike water, which cannot be rationed too severely (many have died of dehydration with water still in their canteens), you can stretch out what little food you have to make it last. Virtually all mammals and birds are edible if you have the means to cook them. You can also learn to identify a few wild edible plants if you think you might someday be in an backwoods survival situation.

Backwoods Cooking: A Few Methods

2009-09-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

Backwoods Mince
You can cook mince meat inside all sorts of vegetable containers: orange peels, hollowed-out potatoes, onions, butternut, gem squash, or even cabbage leaves.

Cabbage hot dogs
Lay sliced onion on a cabbage leaf, add a sausage or two and place more onions on top. Wrap up the cabbage leaf tightly and secure with a number of green sticks. Place in embers for about seven to ten minutes, turning occasionally.

Steamed fish
Make a fire that is long enough for the length of the fish and more than wide enough. Let this burn down to a good bed of embers. Meanwhile prepare the fish and clean thoroughly. Cut a lot of grass to use for steaming. Place a good layer of grass on top of the coals. Put the fish on top of the grass and place more grass on top. Then cover the fire and grass with dirt and pack it down. Wait for about thirty minutes and uncover.

Other methods for fish
Wrapped in cabbage leaf, or grilled on a grid make from twigs. Or pin the fish flesh side forward on a plank or piece of flat board and cook by reflected heat from the fire. For real style, place a knob of butter on the fish when it is cooking and later a splash of lemon.

Kebab
Use a green stick to spear slices of bacon, carrot, peppers, mushrooms, and pieces of pork. Support the skewer over glowing embers turning occasionally. Eat when the meat is crisp and golden brown.

Banana hot dogs
Take a banana and cut a slit in the peel down the inside of the curve, and open it outwards. Remove the banana and feed it to a passing camper or a nearby Scout. Now put sausage inside the banana peel and cook it directly on the coals.

Egg in orange
Cut an orange in half. Scoop out the flesh inside and eat it or give it to a near by camper- be careful not to cut through the skin! Now crack an egg into the skin and place on the embers of the fire until the egg is cooked.

Spud Egg / Egg in potato
Cut the top off a potato and scoop a hole in the middle. Crack the egg into the hole, put the top back in place and secure with small wooden pegs. Bake until the potato is cooked.

Food For Camping In The Backwoods

2009-09-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Organizing camping food can be hex-tic. To get the most from your food on the trail, balance your calorie intake with the energy it takes to carry the load. Most hikers find dehydrated and condensed foods make the highest calorie-to-weight ratio and so make the best camping foods; however, the repetitive nature of these foods often means a week of the same meals and even a loss of appetite and digestive problems. But while the basic food structure is fairly rigid, there is no reason why you can't vary your flavors and create excellent meals on the trail.

Pasta is the almost universal base for dinners on the trail. Its light weight and high carbohydrate count make it ideal to replenish and refuel your body after a long day of hiking and its complex starches will give you energy to spare for the morning. Use different sauces to add variety to your pasta dishes. Pesto, marinara, cheese and even meat sauces can be purchased or made in dehydrated and concentrated forms and only take water or a dash of oil to reconstitute on the trail. Add dehydrated vegetables, peppers, onions, herbs and spices to give added flavor and texture.

Many trail menus overlook vitamins in favor of high calories contents, but this is not necessary. Dried fruits not only provide the vitamins your body needs to stay healthy during activity but also give a large dose of energizing sugar and carbohydrates. Fill a bag with your favorite dried fruit and add a handful to every meal.

Oatmeal has long been the counterpart to pasta for hikers, and makes an excellent trail breakfast. Flavored instant oakmeal packet make a quick, convenient and energizing way to start your day on the trail. Purchase a variety pack to avoid morning gruel fatigue, or substitute granola, which although heavier than oatmeal, provide more carbohydrates and fats.

Backwoods - How To Prepare A Camping Tent

2009-09-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

A good night's sleep can make or break a backwoods adventure in camping. Choose the right spot and set up your tent properly and you can be ahead of hiking in wet gear, while battling sleep sufficiency or coddle a happy back. In the backwoods particularly, selecting an excellent tent site is an important safety exercise.

Although modern tents should be user-friendly, they still require endurance to assemble, something you may not have when you reach the site at the end of a long day. Make sure you know the inside and outside of your tent before you hit the trails, practice assembly at home and, if possible, read up on your preferred campsite earlier so you know what to expect in territory and weather.

Select a good campsite. In public and personal campgrounds, this conclusion has been made for you, with a level tent-pitching area clearly elected, and a fire pit, and possibly a picnic table, provided. In the backwoods, you are on your own to find the best site. Look for a flat, level and rather well-drained piece of ground, one with naked dirt or grass into which you can easily drive tent pegs and guy lines (ropes that help fasten your tent to the ground). Choose a spot that has sufficient room to allow for aeration and placement of any guy lines that widen from the tent.

In stormy locations, try to find a tent site that is downwind from undergrowth, low trees or other land features that offer a windbreak, but upwind from your campfire and its resulting smoke. If you are camping during rain, snow, or a spring or summer thaw, make sure your tent site is away from or at least protected from overflow.

Clear the tent site of garbage such as rocks, branches, twigs or nettles anything that makes the ground uneven or may stab a hole in your tarp or tent floor. As with any venture into nature, try to leave as little impact on your intended campsite as possible.

Unfold the waterproof tarp in the center of your site. The tarp should be at least a few inches larger than your tent floor. Plan to place your tent on the back of the tarp so that any additional canvas area is in front of the door; this limits the possibility of tracking fragments into the tent and provides a dry area for storing items external yet still within weapons reach.

Backwoods Survival - A Few Simple Backwoods Survival Skill

2009-09-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Backwoods survival. Are we talking about staying dry and warm? Backwoods safety? Or getting enough food to eat?

Survival in the backwoods can mean different things to different people. For some people, especially someone that has never been outside the city limits the thought of having to stay alive in the heart of nature can be very intimidating.

For some reason people tend to be overly anxious about having enough food to eat. The fact is that we can actually go for weeks without food, while we can only a few days without water...

The human race is much more hearty than we realize at times!

As far as eating is concerned, and keeping from starving in the backwoods... as a father of 3 boys, I have tasted almost every kind of critter smaller than I am, and some bigger...

We have learned that while gopher is okay, and rabbits can be a bit tough, our ultimate favorite is the ruffed grouse, which you can actually get close enough to plunk on the heads with a rock as they are fairly tame.

So what all is there to eat in the woods? anything slower than us. If it is faster than us, then we need to trap it or hunt it us.

We can catch fish if we are close to a lake, trap or snare small animals, net birds, collect shellfish, gather plants.... and the list goes on, as it varies to what part of the country we are in at the time.

Cooking what we catch...Essential in backwoods survival skills!

If we have no means to cook the meat, such as no pots and pans, etc, then the easiest way is to roast it. However we will get more nutrients and vitamins if we can actually cook it.

If you have tin foil or even large green leaves, make sure they are edible plants you can also wrap small pieces of meat, such as fish or chopped up pieces of venison, etc, into the leaves or tin foil and lay into your hot bed of coals.

Cover with dirt or sand. Let it cook till done.

Backwoods survival can actually be fun and relaxing if we gather some knowledge about it all.

How To Make Campfire Cooking Grilling

2009-09-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Cooking is one of my specialties. While growing up in the kitchen with mom I learned about Cooking. Indoor, outdoor and campfire cooking was fun and easy with cast iron cookware. I remember the outdoors and the smell of campfire cooking, accompanied by the chorus of the squirrels, crickets and birds, during camping.

The most ordinary form of outdoor cooking is campfire cooking. For families it is particularly well fitting, it is an activity which presents an opportunity for pleasant evenings and outings. It has its own taste and fancy. Skill and knowledge is required, but both are easily acquired. Campfire cooking is a tradition in itself and some cooks have years of experience both on camping and at home. It is one of my favorite things in life. It is great; however, most campfire cooking is done in campgrounds. Credit to improvements in camping cooking gear and a horde of easy-prep and in-store ingredients, it need not be limited to burgers, dogs and smokes. Another unique way of campfire cooking is to cook some food items inside of other foods. Another unusual campfire cooking method is cooking in paper. An unfussy and simple way of campfire cooking is to set a large coffee can on the coals. The days of utilitarian campfire cooking of yesteryear are gone. Try out a few odd techniques the next time you’re out camping.

If you’ve never done any campfire cooking or camp cooking before, one of the things to be aware of is that you’ll need to monitor food closely from start to finish because it can burn quickly. Placing a marshmallow or hotdog on the end of a good stick and holding the food at just the right distance from the heat. One of the disadvantages to campfire cooking is that cookware gets much dirtier than it does when cooking with a stove. So most likely campfire cooking will require more clean-up. Although campfire cooking can take a little more time than simply firing up the stove, it is more rewarding. If on the other hand you’re in the mood to take your time and enjoy the experience, campfire cooking can be relaxing in a way that a stove can’t begin to match.

Here are some items that you will need to have to be prepared for campfire cooking: Camping Cookbooks containing all the unique and fun camping recipes to make campfire cooking enjoyable. A large barbecue grill or rack will let you enjoy the full flavor and aroma of campfire cooking, using either wood or charcoal briquettes. On a Campfire a simple and easy way of campfire cooking is to set a large coffee can on the coals.

Campfire cooking is the most common form of outdoor cooking. There is definitely more to campfire cooking than just scorching marshmallows and making smokes. Have an outdoor party. Guest or spectators may soon become participants as the host or hosts divide their guests into teams and turn them loose for an afternoon of supervised campfire cooking Spurred on, in part, as they are getting hungry. Campfire cooking is gaining in popularity and or bringing friends and family together at the same time.

Attend a campfire cooking class. There are conducted nationwide tours of campfire cooking clinics held every year at different campgrounds across the country.

While some view campfire cooking as a survival skill, most people do it for other reasons. Campfire cooking is a way to bring groups together. It is a method in which to lure kids away from their video games or as a way for divorced dads to entertain kids on weekends, campfire cooking is an ideal way for families to reconnect. Everything tastes better roasted over an open fire maybe that is why kids campfire cooking is so popular. When you are done with your kid’s campfire cooking, make sure the fire is totally out.

How about Breakfast Muffins, fried or poached eggs, Chopped Ham, Shredded cheese, Diced potatoes, for example. Try cooking in a black skillet or even a 12 hole muffin pan. Salt and pepper half of muffin tin placing 6 eggs in 6 holes with 6 muffin mix muffins in the remaining 6 holes. Campfire popcorn can be popped in foil: Popcorn Kernels and oil or butter with salt for seasoning. Tear off an 18 inch square of tin foil. The first lesson to be learned about campfire cooking is that you do not cook over an open flame. Try to have all the latest and greatest campfire cooking gear on hand. Purchase only cast iron products. Browse products of campfire cooking gear to find those goods that will work the best for you. Dutch oven Campfire Cooking is almost an ancient form of making food and very prevalent today.

Select the relaxed comfort of your living room fireplace; staring into the embers as your banquet cooks, or watching the flickering flames dance and play while toasting your choice dessert; campfire cooking is a great way to generate memories with your family.

Whether camping with the family, hunting with friends or merely achieving that wood-grilled flavor at home, campfire cooking is delicious and easier than you might think. Dutch oven campfire cooking is one of the best ways to make meals on camping trips. The secret of any campfire cooking is to try and maintain steadily glowing coals, but once you have your fire in this state, you can gauge its approximate temperature by using your hand. The single most indispensable piece of gear for campfire cooking is the cast iron skillet. Cooking Campfire cooking is something of a science, much like cooking on the stove at home. In the days of automatic coffee makers and microwave ovens, campfire cooking is somewhat of a step back.

Backwoods Camping For Beginners

2009-09-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

A sound off of important yet easy to forget elements in a first time camper's preparations, including details of terrain, and equipment must-haves
As with any hiking camping trip, an excursion along a backwoods trail demands that attention be paid to each of the above in great detail. Even among seasoned hikers there is no such thing as immunity to forgetfulness, while for the beginners, simple lack of experience necessitates a near-compulsive attentiveness while planning.

That Hill Looked Flatter on Paper . . .
Indeed it did. The problem though, is that when most backpackers first pour over a park map, they focus on the indicated length of the trail, and not the terrain it runs over. Always remember: Most park-maintained trails are designed to offer the path of moderate resistance, and that winding red line measures the distance from A to B as the crow flies - while you'll be walking.

A ten-kilometre trail traversing a park's hill-strewn highland region can easily prove more taxing than a fifteen-kilometre route through gently rolling lakeland. Attention must be paid to the topographic contour lines that overlay the indicator for the trail itself, yet they are so often and easily overlooked by someone judging a trail difficulty on horizontal distance alone.

Cutting Weight Versus Cutting Corners
Anyone who's ever carried so much as the lightest hiking pack on their back knows that lighter is the way to go, but some kit pieces are unquestionably worth the extra poundage. This is particularly important to keep in mind, as a few of these are often among the heavier items you'll need along with you.

Forgetfulness isn't so much a problem here as is inexperience - know what's mandatory and when looking to shed weight, give a thought toward Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Food, water and shelter above all else, followed then by what's required for basic safety. In other words, whatever you do away with, adequate food, a means of producing heat (matches, flint, etc.) water and a pot to boil more in, clothing, tent and sleeping roll suited for nighttime temperatures and a first-aid kit all form the immutable core of your gear - look elsewhere when lightening the load.

Going it alone
Solo-treks are for the experienced and those wrongly accused of murder. While most newcomers are suitably unwilling to go it alone on their first time out, it isn't so much that we forget to bring a friend along as it is that we neglect to bring more.

Put plainly, the larger the group the better, and where a two-member party is the minimum, four would be truly ideal. This offers numerous advantages, including the dispersal of weighty communal items, an increased party-presence that will help ward-off unwanted wildlife, and the reduced chance that a disaster along the trail will leave one member alone and immobilized while another goes back for help.

The Three Most Neglected Items . . .
Knife: There's a reason why the first tools ever wielded had cutting edges. For all intents and purposes, a sturdy, sharpened knife will be one of the most oft-reached for items in your pack.

Matches: It's the worst feeling in the world to sit hunched before your carefully included stove or readied kindling, only to realize you've forgotten a means of igniting it. On their first trip beyond car-camping, no one wants to find themselves re-enacting Quest for Fire . . . or Alive, for that matter.

Rope: You'll be setting lines for your tent, binding things to the outside of your pack, stringing food high up in the trees at night, erecting tarps between fire and falling rain, replacing severed bootlaces . . . in short, you'll need rope, preferably about 30 metres' worth of the polypropylene variety.

Perhaps most important of all things to remember is that when embarking on such a self-sufficient endeavor as backwoods camping, care and consideration are paramount, as barring that of Nature, the most common Law in the life of a hiker is, often enough, that of Murphy.

A friendly reminder to all who love the backwoods
To ensure that everyone has a pleasurable experience in the backwoods, please respect Mother Nature by bringing out more trash than you take in. This will ensure that others who come after you will have a clean place to enjoy the outdoors for generations to come.

Backwoods Campfire Cooking: Skewer Cooking

2009-09-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

Camp fire cooking comes in different forms but skewer cooking has got to be the easiest. With a minimum of supplies and equipment you can be roasting up several tasty treats over your campfire or fire pit in no time. While you can't cook everything on a skewer there are several great, basic foods that you can cook on your open fire with a skewer.

What do you need? - Most important you need a skewer of some type. That's it! No fancy tripods, grills or other equipment. A skewer can be anything from a long stick to a specifically designed skewer.
What kind of skewer should you use? - Two important tips: (1) Ideally, use a metal skewer. A wooden one can catch on fire, especially with longer cooking times. (2) Try to find skewers for your camp fire cooking which have at least 2 prongs like the ones pictured here. With only a single prong your food will spin on the skewer and is more difficult to control. Two or more prongs holds the food more firmly and allows you to turn the food easily without slipping. Some skewers have additional features. For example, the pictured skewers telescope for easy storage and so they don't take up much room in your backpack. Also, these skewers have a ring that allows you to spin the skewer rod with your fingers without having to spin the entire skewer. This is not necessary but just helps make the cooking process easier.
What kinds of food can you cook on a skewer? - Keep two things in mind. A skewer cannot hold very heavy items and it can be tiring to hold and turn the skewer over your fire for long periods of time. Therefore, you should stick to foods which are smaller and which do not have very prolonged cooking times. Pre-marinate and/or season your foods just as you wood otherwise. If all else fails, everything is enhanced by a generous dash of salt and some pepper. Some examples of good skewer camp fire cooking foods are listed below:
- Sausages
- Hot Dogs
- Small Poultry/Game Birds (Quail, Pigeon Squabs, Partridges, Poussin, Game Hens, etc.)
- Cut-up pieces of larger meats
- Firm-fleshed vegetables
- And don't forget the classic...Marshmallows!
How do you use the skewer? - Simple! Just skewer your food, making sure to pierce the thickest portion of your food and to push it back onto the skewer as far as possible. This will help to prevent slippage so that your food does not fall off and into your campfire! After your seasoned food is in place, simply hold the food over or near your fire and slowly rotate until it is cooked to your liking. One important tip is to realize that most foods do not cook well directly in the flames. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to simply sit your food in the middle of the fire. This will burn the surface of the food quickly to an unappetizing char. By the time the middle is cooked the outside will be coal! So be sure to hold your food at some distance from the actual flames. Don't worry, if you have a good hot fire then your food will cook nicely as long as it is in the vicinity of the heat. Be patient and slowly rotate the food so that it cooks evenly.

Backwoods Campfire Cooking Technique

2009-09-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Mosley everybody enjoy camping. It is the perfect time to bond with families, kids, old friends and loved ones. Many people think that it is an excellent place for children to learn how to cook. They will be very enthusiastic in learning since they do not get to camp out every day. Unlike in the real kitchen, they redundantly see their moms move around and cook.

There are plenty of campfire cooking techniques to choose from. You do not have to necessary do one cooking procedure. Just remember that food can always be cooked in different ways.

The usual campfire cooking is grilling, barbecuing and using the Dutch oven. But did you know that there are unique and fun ways to cook when you are camping? Check the list below and see what works for you:

1) Use empty coffee cans. Yes, coffee cans. Sounds wired? You may use an empty coffee can to cook your food. This will serve as a pot.

2) Cook straight on the coals. You may cook food by placing it directly over the coal. Some food taste a lot better when cooked that way.

3) Cook using paper. This may seem out of the ordinary because you might think that paper will normally burn when used in fire. But did you know that cooking fish is possible with this cooking technique? Just keep the paper wet when you place it over the coals and it will not burn. It is possible to boil liquid too by using paper cups.

4) Using leaves. If you want to use this method, you may try cooking your meat by using large cabbage or lettuce leaves. It is very effective and will leave your meat flavourful too. Always make sure that the leaves that you are using are not toxic.

5) Cook using a rock. You may cook food on a rock surface. The heat is released from the coals to the rock surface in order to cook the food evenly.

6) Cook food inside a food. This is another rare campfire cooking method that everybody is missing. You may cook something inside while the outside food is being cooked as well. It also adds more flavour into your dish.

7) Clay cooking. If you are in an area and the soil is mostly made up of clay, you may try wrapping your food with it. It does not only lock in moisture but it also protects your food from burning.

Campfire cooking offers many possibilities. You may use a Dutch oven for your stew or cook scrambled eggs on a skillet. But the most important thing is that there are a lot of cooking options that you can try with your family and kids which they will definitely enjoy.

How to Build and Outdoor Survival Shelter

2009-09-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

The debris hut is an example of a good outdoor survival shelter. A debris hut is just a pile of dead leaves, branches and whatever else is around. If done correctly, there is enough space under it for you to lie under the pile comfortably - and still breathe. It should take about one to two hours to build a hut, so don't wait until it gets dark to start building.

- Find yourself a long sturdy pole of a length about one and a half to two times your height. This will be the main beam of your hut.

Another option is to find a fallen tree that will fit to build this hut. Look for something to hold the main beam of the hut off the ground. A rock, stump, tree with a forked branch, or anything strong enough can be used for this support. The height should be a little taller than you are where you are sitting.

Make your shelter just large enough to accommodate you, especially in cold climates, because you are going to have to heat it with your own body heat.

- Lean smaller poles against both sides of your main beam at about a 45 degree angle to make a framework. Place them close together and fill in around them with smaller branches.

- Cover this framework with materials at hand such as dead leaves, dry fern, evergreen branches, or grass. Use whatever you can find. Once you have sufficient debris in place, at least 3 feet thick, you will need to place a layer of small, light branches over the outside of the hut to keep all your insulation from blowing away.

- Depending on how thick your insulating layer is, and that your debris is reasonably dry, a debris hut can keep people dry and warm in frigid temperatures.

- Place a one foot layer of debris inside the shelter. Try to choose stuff that you would like to sleep on. Your body heat can be lost very quickly lying on the bare ground.

- At the entrance, pile insulating material that you can drag there once inside the shelter to close the entrance, or build a door. Try to place the entrance away from the wind. Wind and rain blowing towards or into the entrance will take the heat away from your shelter.

You can make a door by gathering finger size dead wood and lashing it into a grid pattern. Make two grids and place debris between the two grids. Lash the grids together and you have an insulated door. This simple outdoor survival shelter can make the difference in a backwoods survival situation.

Building a Survival Shelter

2009-09-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

Building a survival shelter is an absolute priority, if you face a survival situation in harsh or unpredictable weather condition. A good shelter must protect you from the elements and be comfortable enough for resting and sleeping. Most people cannot survive unprotected from rough weather for more than a few hours.

Finding Shelter Site

If possible choose ground:- that is dry, well drained and reasonably flat.

- that is near water and has a supply of firewood.

- that has building materials for your shelter.

- that will provide protection against strong winds.

If you are lost and people are looking for you, make sure your shelter site is easy to be seen and found by search and rescue teams.

Unsuitable shelter sites:

- A site too close to water may lead you to be troubled by insects.

- Rivers presents a constant threat to safety. Heavy rainfall in nearby hills can easily create flash floods. Avoid dry riverbeds.

- Avoid loose rocks, dead trees or other natural growth that could fall on your shelter.

- Low ground, such as ravines and narrow valleys, could be damp and collect the heavy cold air at night and are therefore be colder than the surrounding high ground. On the other hand, the tops of mountains are exposed to higher winds. The best area to seek shelter is somewhere in between.

If you have added a shelter tarp, an emergency blanket or an extra poncho to your gear, you are almost done with your shelter building. However, if you lack equipment, local conditions and materials will determine the type of backwoods shelter you build.
Look for natural formations that could provide shelter. Examples include caves, rocky crevices and large trees with low-hanging limbs. If no natural formation is available to provide shelter, you will need to build one.

Shelters made of natural materials

Make your shelter just large enough to accommodate you, especially in cold climates, because you are going to have to heat it. One of the best backwoods shelters is called the "debris hut". When shelter is essential to survival, if possible, build this survival shelter.

If you do not want to spend too much time and effort to build your shelter. Probably, the quickest type of backwoods shelter to build is the lean -to- shelter.

SURVIVAL FOOD IN THE BACKWOODS

2009-09-14T18:56:00.001-07:00

It is essential to understand where to find survival food, even food is the least pressing backwoods survival need. With plenty of water and a comfortable resting place, most of us can live approximately three weeks without food. However, food is important for your mental and emotional state, as well as a source of energy and to maintain a normal body temperature.

In a survival situation, you have to take advantage of everything available to eat. Most backwoods areas are full of natural food, ranging from plants to insects. The food sources you can exploit are determined by the habitat you are in. Vary your diet to make sure you get the appropriate proportions of fat, protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

Meat and fish are good sources of protein and fat and provide virtually everything a long-term survivor would need. However, at the first stage of a survival situation, plants are the most appropriate diet as plants are easily accessible and contain the necessary carbohydrates. Depending of the time of the year you will almost always find edible plants, unless you are in the middle of an arid desert. Knowledge of only one or two wild edible plants can be of great help in your search for survival food.

Your most vital nutritional needs in a survival situation are protein and fat. Most insects are rich in both. Turn off your cultural bias against eating insects. Edible bugs are good "survival food''.

Unless you are an experienced hunter, hunting animals for meat is not advisable in a survival situation. Hunting is difficult and you will expend a lot of energy to get your food. Instead of hunting consider trapping. Trapping requires less skill and leaves you free to spend time searching for other food sources. The wilderness survivor needs simple traps that are easy to remember and easy to construct.

Eggs offer high nutritional value, are convenient and safe. They can be boiled, baked or fried. The first obvious place to look for them is a bird nest. However, not all birds build a nest, but instead lay their eggs directly on the ground or in a hole.Cooking is a skill of great importance for all backwoods travelers. Cooking not only makes many foods more appetizing to taste, but also ensure that parasites and bacteria are killed. You don’t want to get sick from food poisoning.

A compact camping stove is very convenient in the backwoods. However, in many situations, a cooking fire is more practical and allows a wider variety of cooking opportunities. As a survival skill, you should also be able to prepare your food without any cooking utensils.

When you learn more about how to find food in the backwoods you also learn more about the nature itself. The more you learn, the more you will love and enjoy the great nature we have.

Survival Tesk Do The Importent One First

2009-09-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

Walking around in the backwoods without a well thought out plan isn’t going to increase your chances for survival - but it could reduce them. Proper actions taken in proper sequence will enhance your ability to survive.

The first question you should ask yourself in this situation is “what are the most important survival tasks to take on”?

Many survival guides provide some information about backwoods survival skills but dwell on excessive material devoted to finding food in survival situations. Often there is little consideration given to the important component of timing.

This one-dimensional approach to backwoods survival instruction gives many survival students the mistaken impression that finding food is the most important backwoods survival task. In reality, food acquisition is at the bottom of the list for things that need doing in most backwoods survival emergencies.

The proper order of tasks will take into account that which is most important to your immediate survival. You need a list of things to do; as each task is completed to satisfaction move on to the next in line of importance. In this way you will secure your survival in the environment you find yourself.

The remainder of this Survival Topic will provide step by step a list of the main survival skills you should apply in order to increase your chances of surviving in the backwoods.

First Survival Things First

Should you find yourself in a backwoods survival situation you have your work cut out for you. The first twenty-four hours are the most critical. Within this time frame you must satisfy your basic survival needs; only then is your survival usually assured.

Upon the often startling realization your survival is at stake, and assuming your current state of health is not life threatening, the first thing you need to do is do nothing.

That’s right, do “nothing”.

In spite of the often overwhelming urge to take immediate action in the early stages of a survival situation, usually the best thing you can do is take it easy. Have a seat and relax for a few moments. Lay down if that makes you more comfortable. If there is food and water available, have something to eat and drink. Make especially sure you are fully hydrated.

Take it easy. Quell any fears that may be welling up from within to pollute your mind. Remain calm and collected because you will only have yourself and your survival skills to rely upon until rescue arrives.

Take stock of your situation. You’ve been reading Survival Topics so you’ve got a good survival kit, you know what to do, and you and how to do it. Everything will be fine and soon enough you will be home telling all your friends about this great backwoods adventure.

Take Inventory of Survival Supplies

Once you have complete charge of your thoughts, quickly inventory your situation. Consider the environment you find yourself in and the materials such as clothing water, survival kit, and other survival gear you have available.

Every situation is different, but try to look about you with the eye of a MacGyver. Take stock of other items you can repurpose for survival. Depending upon the situation you may have parts available from your vehicle or aircraft such as mirrors (signaling), foam insulation from seat covers, wires, gasoline, batteries and other man-made materials.

Observe the natural resources you can utilize to help you survive. Sources of fuel for fire, water, and survival shelter are especially important. Try to locate yourself in an area where these survival resources are close at hand so that you expend a minimum amount of time and energy in gathering them.

Build a Survival Fire

Now that you have your head on straight, I suggest you build a fire. Fire has many uses beyond warmth, light, and signaling. Just the act of making a good campfire has a calming, morale boosting effect that will psychologically save you from yourself. This is very important; in any backwoods survival situation your mind is both your best asset and your worst stumbling block.

Once you make and maintain a good survival fire you are assured of ample warmth, light, and an increased ability to signal for help. The boost to your morale that a camp fire causes will immediately be felt. With a good fire going, you can safely tackle the next important survival tasks.

However in many survival situations successfully making a fire can be problematic even if you have proper fire starting materials. Fuel is often wet or of poor quality. It may be raining or snowing and there may be high winds. Only through the experience of making many fires in a variety of situations will you master this most essential survival skill.

When you need it most, as in this situation, you will be glad you have honed your fire making skills by repeated practice. Survival Topics recommends your survival kit contains at least three methods of lighting a fire. For example waterproof matches, firesteel and butane lighters, so that if one method fails you still have two backups. Fire is so important to backwoods survival this redundancy in fire making gear could very well save your life.

I also recommend your survival kit contains a fire starting aid. Petroleum jelly fire starters or wax firesticks will be of great help in making a survival fire if the wood is green or damp.

A survival fire is relatively small; gathering fuel is time consuming and energy intensive. You do not want to unnecessarily burn though material faster than you can gather it. Keep your small fire going while you move on to the next tasks.

Make a Survival Shelter

The next backwoods survival priority is shelter from the elements. Without a proper survival shelter you may be exposed to a variety of threats including heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, and pesky insects.

Do not make the mistake of relying upon current conditions to persist throughout your entire survival situation. It may be warm, sunny, and comfortable now, but in the middle of the night you do not want to be awakened by a raging storm totally unprepared.

If possible you have advantageously selected an area for your fire where shelter is already fully or partially integrated, and where there are plenty of building materials nearby. For example a rock overhang may make an excellent shelter and by making a fire a few yards away you may have a very comfortable setup.

If you have your survival kit, you can use your tarp to construct a protected area or even as the basis for a debris hut or snow trench shelter. The type of shelter you construct will depend upon climate, available materials, and your abilities. Once again, the backwoods survival skills you practiced before an actual survival emergency will serve you well.

Obtain Water

Many people do not fully understand the importance of adequate water intake. You can survive for weeks or even months with little or no food, but go without water for even just one day and your ability to carry out the tasks necessary for backwoods survival is greatly compromised.

When you become dehydrated your efficiency is reduced in many ways. You will tire more easily. You will become susceptible to injury and the effects of cold or heat. Morale will drop and a host of other problems ensue.

Try to locate your shelter and fire near a good source of water. This will save you having to travel far to replenish your water supply. Areas near streams, lakes, and ponds are also likely places search and rescue is likely to look for you. In thick forests these areas are often more open than the surrounding countryside, which improves your ability to signal and to be seen.

Always consider water as suspect in quality. Although many people now carry water filters, but boiling water is by far the best method to destroy disease causing organisms in drinking water.

Do not boil your water for ten minutes or longer as many misinformed sources erroneously expound. The myth of boiling water for inordinate lengths of time is stubbornly cherished and recirculated for years. Boiling your water for any length of time merely wastes fuel and evaporates water. Simply bring your water to a boil; this is more than enough to destroy any pathogens that might do you harm.

Signaling

With your immediate physical needs taken care of you can turn your attention to signaling for rescue.

There are many ways to signal for help. A signal mirror can be used to flash aircraft and ground personnel from surprisingly great distances. Often a survival signal mirror can be fashioned from a piece of shiny metal or plastic. Some compasses have a mirror as part of the compass casing.

Every survival kit should contain a shrill survival whistle. The blast of a whistle can be heard further than the shout of a human voice. And importantly, you can blow a whistle at regular intervals all day but you cannot do the same with shouting; in very little time your voice will become strained and you will be unable to maintain the effort.

A smoky fire makes an excellent survival signaling device that can be seen and often smelled for miles in all directions. Keep a ready pile of green vegetation next to your campfire and throw it on should you hear the drone of an aircraft.

CAMPING TENTS PICK THE RIGHT ONE

2009-09-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

The most important aspect of an enjoyable camping experience is having the right tent. Camping is one of the most fun outdoor activities, but using the wrong tent can dampen the whole experience.

There are some questions that you should ask yourself in order to ensure that you choose the perfect tent for both you and your family.

First of all, a basic but important question to answer is how many people will be using the tent? This will determine the right style and size that you need.

You might even want to consider buying a tent slightly bigger than what you need. For example, if you need a tent for five, consider buying a eight person tent. That way you should have plenty of room for everyone plus their gear.

What conditions should the tent be able to handle? Will you be camping in the summer? Spring and summer? Or will you camp year round? You want to purchase a tent that can handle the various conditions you're likely to encounter.

There are family camping tents made mostly for fair weather and there are three or four season family tents.

How often will the tent be used? You want a durable family tent if you're planning on camping frequently. If you're camping with very active children, you definitely want a durable tent!

How much interior space do you want or need? If you want to be comfortable, you need to take sleeping space and storage into account. Do you want standing room? Consider buying a family dome tent.

Will you be hiking or backpacking? You should look for a lightweight tent that you can easily transport.

Family camping tents are available in different shapes and can be small enough for three and large enough to hold ten plus.

Cabin tents can be sectioned off to create two or more rooms and usually allow multiple entry and exit points.

The rounded shape of a family dome tent adds strength, good wind resistance and good interior space.

A-frame tents have a simple, lightweight design. They're usually freestanding and easy to set up. There's good room at the floor but less room up top for standing.

Umbrella style tents have spacious head and floor space, can hold many people, and have good ventilation.

There are two, three and four season family camping tents.

Two season tents are fair weather tents that are usually very inexpensive.

Three season tents are the most popular and are able to handle rain.

Four season tents have heavier construction to fight off wind stress and snow loads. They're made of higher grade fabrics and contain more poles for added strength.

Four season tents can possibly feel hot and heavy if used in moderate weather.

Backwoods Camping Let Campers Really Rought It

2009-09-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

If your idea of a great getaway is being pampered, backwoods camping is not for you. Since these camps generally offer a variety of high excitement activities with not much in the way of modern conveniences pampering is not an option. However, during a week or two at a backwoods camp, children can learn important lessons such as survival skills, first aid and backwoods safety. As a plus, kids will also be forced away from the television and video games for a spell so they can connect with nature.

One of the first and most obvious aspects of backwoods camping is, of course, the backwoods. These campers do not visit already set up camps with cabins, kitchens and bathroom facilities. Along with leaders experienced in backwoods survival, they set out to make their own adventure and their own camps.

Backwoods campers generally carry all of the things they need to live during their camping trip in a backpack on their backs. Their packs will hold their clothing, food and eating utensils as well as tents and bedding. Depending on their activity, they may make and break camp each day, or they may set up one camp site and stay there during their entire camping trip.

These campers generally travel to remote places where there is no electricity or plumbing. They must learn to cook all of their food over a fire and also set up a tent and campsite that will be protected from the elements. Campers will be taught how to pick a good campsite and how to pitch a tent properly. They will also be taught fire and cooking safety.

During their camping experience campers will also learn the basics of backwoods safety. This will include training in which plants, animals and insects are poisonous and what should be done if someone should become poisoned by a plant or insect. Campers will bring the lessons they learn while backwoods camping back to their everyday lives where they will know how to properly handle emergency situations.

In addition to the skills they will learn, most campers will tell you the exciting activities they can participate in during the trip is the focal point of backwoods camping. Backwoods camping will generally focus on an activity that can no be experienced in any other type of camp.

These activities can include mountain climbing, white water rafting, glacier hiking or backpacking in the forest or jungle. Backwoods camps are available in locations in both the United States as well as foreign locations, so your child can choose the adventure that is right for them.

Participating in a backwoods camp can help children learn the skills they need to survive and help others survive in the case of an emergency. They will also learn the extent of their own inner and physical strength as they participate in the adventure of their lives. Additionally, backwoods camps will also force kids away from video games and television for awhile and help them focus on nature and the world around them.

BACKWOODS BAKING OR GRILLING

2009-09-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

Another very simple way of baking or grilling is to use a large log which has been partly burned through in the center. Turn it upside down and place the food on the hot ground under the glowing arch.

A Maori oven is made by digging a hole one and a half to two ft. deep in the ground and lining it with medium - sized stone ( flat stone if possible). In this hole, make a fire and build it up to just above ground level with hard wood. When it has burn down, scrape out the ashes and either stand the pot on the stone or line the stone with large leaves and put the food directly on top of these. From another fire take some more already heated stone to place on top. Cover the hole with damped material, green timber or slabs of stone and rake at lease twelves inches of dirt over the top. This is a very slow method of cooking, but ideal for cooking breakfast overnight or for leaving a meal to cook when you want to be away from camp all day. After five or six hour out and about you can come to camp tried and hungry, open up the oven, and there is your meal luscious and piping hot. If you use the Maori oven to cook something in a pot like porridge stew bring the contents to a biol before placing in the oven.

BACKWOODS SURVIVAL GEAR: A prerequisite to a great backwoods adventure

2009-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Many people are avid outdoor fanatic. If you are one of this type of people then you are aware of the thrill and excitement of backwoods trekking. Whether you participate in hiking, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, or some other activity, though, you need to make sure you bring the right equipment along. Going in the backwoods without backwoods survival gear may turn out to be more of a forgettable adventure than a fun adventure.

No matter what activity you are engaged in, there are a few important tools which you should not overlook. Firstly, you should not forget to bring a quality first aid kit with you. You never know what injuries you or a companion could sustain miles away from medical assistance. So include in your baggage bandages, antiseptics, braces and other important first aid materials. Secondly, bringing a quality knife in your your adventure is a priority. A knife can serve several key purposes. Among other things, it can cut firewood, remove clothing from an injury, and help clear a path through the woods. For backwoods survival gear, one good option is a knife and hatchet combo. These tools are very handy, with the knife fitting into the hatchet's handle, and can be easily holstered to your gear. Given these two items, you can respond better to precarious situations along the way.

Aside from these two necessities, other vital backwoods survival gear includes signaling devices, like flares and markers, that can help rescuers find you should you need help. A quality compass proves to be an indispensable tool when you are lost and need a guide for an alternate direction. Finally, for long-term outings, extra food and water rations are a must have. This includes water purification tools to ascertain potable water in the backwoods.

Ultimately, the best way to ensure you have the backwoods survival gear necessary to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors is to create a survival kit. You have the option to buy the items individually or take as one packaged set. Just be sure that the kit is complete with all the necessary components for your journey. The best backwoods survival gear kits will have items to keep you warm, healthy, and well-fed while signaling for help to arrive.

BACKWOODS SURVIVAL GEAR

2009-09-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

Into the Wild will you explore the beauty of nature or take a stress-free adventure. Before getting to such a risky itinerary of your life, you must secure yourself some backwoods survival gear. Even pilots and forest trekkers are wary about getting their safety. So you must be on the lookout of your welfare as you discover Mother Earth's greatness. Backwoods survival gear will keep your cool. It's not anything that you must only have when emergencies take place. It is a necessity that you take along with you. Your survival kit comprises sustaining gear, paraphernalia and stuff that are all designed to keep you out of danger. These are all secured in a single bag that comes in handy.

To survive your day or days out in the backwoods, you require the basics such as water, shelter, food, fire and first aid kit. But backwoods survival gear includes beyond these. You need a tent, sleeping bag, stove, backpack, etc. You will also require a map, compass or GPS for navigation purposes. Without these, you will lose track of your destination. Or worse, you can end up running around the bush without hitting your targets.

With backwoods survival gear, you will have higher chances or sustaining life when stranded or stuck in place where there isn't any food, shelter or water. You can purchase some pre-packaged survival kits online if you a complete set of quality emergency tools, medical first aid kits, emergency supplies and outdoor devices that may allow you to survive the days in backwoods.

To mountain hiker and foresters, the things a backwoods survival gear would include are whistle, signal mirror, spark light, fire starter, water and food. Either a tent or emergency blanket will serve as your backwoods shelter in case there is nothing out there to sleep the night off. Hiking the boondocks can be fun but risky, so always make sure you have your survival kit with you.

Backwoods survival gears are supposed to be lightweight, handy and not bulky so that it's convenient to be tagging the supplies along with you. Choosing the appropriate gear is significant to secure yourself. But the most vital gear there is to prepare is your inner strength and prepared mindset aside from knowledge in first aid and backwoods skills.

In choosing your backwoods survival gear, you must choose according to your type and taste of backwoods adventure. Are you just up for plain camping? Or are you going into the wild to do some hunting and logging? Custom-fit your gears and equipment based on your itinerary. Test your gadgets and equipment if they function well before bringing them with you. Make sure you have the know-how to manipulate them.

BACKWOODS SURVIVAL SHELTER TIPS

2009-09-11T09:50:00.001-07:00

Exploring the backwoods can be a lot of fun, if you're prepared. Sometimes, though, things don't always go to plan, and you find yourself in a survival situation. One of the absolutely necessary thing for survival is shelter, and no matter where you are you'll want to find or build shelter. While different situations call for different approaches, there are some general tips to keep in mind when you're relying on what's at hand.

Pick a spot that makes it easy to build your shelter. Two trees close together makes for an easier lean-to.
Use available spaces, such as rock faces that curve out, and other locations to shelter you when possible. Check for signs that wildlife do not use your preferred spot for shelters.
Don't build your shelter in a game trail, or any other place the local wildlife may be likely to investigate, such as a berry bush in bear country, for example.
Try to find a space close to a source of water and where you can forage easily.
Keep an eye on changing conditions. That convenient stream may turn into a rampaging river if there are heavy rains upstream.

A fire good, a shelter is good, a shelter on fire is bad. Strike a balance between the fire being close enough to keep you warm, yet not so close the shelter starts to burn. A couple of well-placed logs can keep you from rolling into your fire.
Likewise, a couple of well-placed warm rocks can help you stay warm.
Gather twice as much firewood as you think you will need. You will need it, and then you don't have to look to your shelter for firewood. Building a shelter, even a simple lean-to, takes more time than you might expect. Start early.

Be looking for good places to shelter as soon as you know you'll need one. Once you find a place, start building.
Night and storms can both come on quickly, and neither are conditions you want to build your shelter in, so watch the sky.

If you're in a pine forest, a bed of pine needles is better than the ground, and the boughs can help keep the rain off.

If you're surrounded by sticks, build a lean-to.
If you're out in the snow, dig a snow cave. (Or, if you have the right kind of snow and know what you are doing, an igloo works too. But snow caves are easier as long as you remember to put in a cold sink, which is a trench below the level where you will sleep which traps colder air.)
If you have a tarp or a poncho, but no stakes, sticks make a good substitute.
A tarp or sheet of plastic makes a good addition to the roof in case of rain.

A hatchet may not be quite as powerful as an axe, but it fits a lot better in a backpack. Though if you're planning on heading into the backwoods, take the axe.

Twine is also something lightweight and easy to put into a pack, plus it has the added use of being great fire-starter if you take the time to spread out the individual strands.
Matches, or a lighter, can be of enormous psychological value, not to mention handy when it comes to lighting a fire.
A knife, preferably of the Swiss variety, or some form of multitool, should be standard in every pack, even on a day hike. Borrow a lesson from the Scouts and "be prepared."
A poncho can be used as a roof or a blanket in an emergency. For that matter, many emergency or "space" blankets are lightweight enough to be worth packing.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TENT

2009-09-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right camping tent can be the determining factor in whether your next backwoods camping trip that packed with great memories, or a soggy disaster that you want to forget. There are so many factors to consider when purchasing your next camping tent, such as size, style, shape, weight, ventilation, fabric, poles, etc. Here are things to consider before you buy next camping tent.

Tents come in different classifications, each designed to meet different weather conditions and
camping needs. Two-Season Tents, designed for mild weather, are affordable. Made with lightweight fabric, they provide good ventilation, but don't have much protection from the elements. Do not purchasing a two-season tent if you plan to use it in cold, wet weather. Three-Season Tents are probably the most popular tent design. They provide well-ventilated shelter in spring, summer, and fall, and can withstand most bad weather except high wind and heavy snow accumulation. Choosing a three-season tent with a mesh inner body will have less condensation build-up inside the tent. Depending on your preference, and the weather, this tent works well with or without the fly. Designed to provide shelter in heavy weather, the Four-Season tent has a low, curved shape to prevent a large build-up of snow. It often has a full coverage fly and vestibule, and has more poles, more guy-points and lines for staking. It is made of heavier duty fabric than two or three season tents so it can withstand heavy rain and snowfall. There is less ventilation with a four-season tent, and these tents weigh a lots more than the two or three season tents. The four-season tent is ideal for camping in the mountains or in extremely cold weather, but offers poor ventilation for warm or moderate weather camping.

Tents also come in several shapes and styles: Dome tents offer good interior space. Its rounded, streamlined shape provides durability and strength against the wind. It is easy to set up and take down, and it can be freestanding or staked down. Cabin style tents provide much more usable interior volume. Because of its straight walls, it offers more head room and allows campers to push camping gear and cots closer to the walls. This style of tent is great for family camping and can accommodate several people, and provides good ventilation. A-Frame tents are smaller, lightweight, and easy to set up. They offer good floor space, but not much headroom. They provide good ventilation, and are freestanding. Screen Houses are very roomy, and provide a great place to relax and entertain while giving shelter from the sun, rain, and bugs.

Another consideration when buying your tent is the number of people that will be occupying the tent. There are Solo Camping Tents, which are compact, lightweight, and provide a comfortable area for one person. Backpacking tents come in various sizes from two to four people. These tents are also lightweight, durable and versatile. Family tents come in different sizes, ranging from four to nine people. Family tents are large, and have large windows and doors, which provide excellent ventilation. Outfitter Tents come in four to six persons, they are made for heavy duty use such as with an Outfitter, Tour groups, or Scouts. Four Season/Expedition Tents are relatively small,They usually sleep 2 to 3 people, they are made to withstand extreme weather conditions and be comfortable at the same time, ideal for mountaineering or expeditions.

In Summary there are a lot of quality camping tents to choose from, for all different kinds of camping, hopefully with this information it will help you choose the right tent , so you can Experience camping in the Backwoods.

ULTRALIGHT THE NO TENT APPROCH

2009-09-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

Backpacking and hiking have become an increasingly popular pastime, but ultralight backpacking, and ultralight hiking have become a bit of a special art. Keeping down the weight of what you carry on your back, means that you can travel with ease. Or you can travel at a more leisure pace, giving you time to enjoy your surroundings.

Ultralight backpacking and hiking is really only suited to the warmer times of year, such as late spring through to late summer. This is because the biggest weight saving will be on things like your tent and sleeping bag, which are usually two of the heaviest items in your backpack.

For instance instead of lugging around a heavy tent, you could consider taking just a small single skinned tunnel tent. Just large enough for one person and their gear it offers good protection from the elements, as it is both waterproof and breathable. It can however be a bit claustrophobic, and you may feel shut off from the outdoors, unless I leave the door open.

Another alternative to a tent is a lightweight tarp. These are very versatile, and just with the aid of your hiking poles can be erected in various ways. Used in conjunction with a waterproof, breathable sleeping bag cover, this is about as light as you can get. If used in a sheltered location away from strong winds, they give you a true sense of sleeping in the wilds. It is quick and easy to set up that it can even be used for a shelter from the rain during the day, or even just to cook under.

One other alternative which is enjoying something of a comeback is the good old hammock. This type of camping is ideal for the ultralight hiker who is more interested in the actual hiking as apposed to the camping side of backpacking.There are some excellent hammocks on the market that come with their own waterproof fly sheet, and are complete with mosquito- midge netting. If you are using one of these you don't even need to carry a kip mat, so saving even more weight.

This is just one area where you can cut down the weight by using ultralight hiking gear. By using similar items that are available these days, such as lightweight sleeping bags, and even ultralight hiking backpacks, you will be surprised just how light you can go.

BACKWOODS COOKING ''THE HUNTER'S FIRE''

2009-09-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

The hunter's fire, for this, select two logs one in. to two ins. in diameter and about eighteen in. long. Lay these side by side about two ins. apart, so that the wind can blow between them. Spread the tinder between the logs, then lay very thin sticks, matchstick size, across the gap between the logs. As soon as one layer is complete, make another of slightly thicker sticks, this time lay them parallel to the logs. After three or four layer, further sticks may be layer from the ground to the top of the pile on both side and at the lee end, leaving the windy end open for the match to light the tinder. The wind will then fan the flame through the length of the fire Remember to leave an air space between the sticks, fire depends as much on air as wood to make it burn.

The fire for the evening meal is usually a more serious affair and the hunter's fire is probably the best method. A large fire will be wanted and, as you can see, the hunter's fire is the best base upon which to build. The fire can be built up quite large before lighting, with two large logs laid along it's length to act as fenders. To from a good bed of embers it is necessary to collect a good supply of hard wood, the best being oak, beech, hornbeam, ash or birch. The fire will have to burn steadily for at least an hour, and don't forget wood will burn better if split. If the fire is made two feet high to start with, it will make the required amount of ember when burn down. When the fire is under way, settle yourself into camp and prepare the food and material for cooking.

A GREAT EXPERIENCE IS BACKWOODS CAMPING

2009-09-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Back Woods camping is when you go camping in a place that has know one else around. You do not have any electricity when you go back woods camping. There are no amenities of any kind when you back woods camp. Neighbors are no where in sight when you are back woods camping. You are very isolated and you can think about the things you want to think about. When you back wood camp you can get back to nature and to yourself. Back woods camping can be great for the person who likes to have some peace of mind . You can go back woods camping alone(not recommended) or with other people the main thing with back woods camping is that you don't have any conveniences.

Back woods camping is a good experience for just about everyone. You get a good feel for what life was like when people did not have electricity or running water. You find out what it is like to do things for yourself when you are back woods camping. Everything that you do with water is a larger task when you are back woods camping like dishes, washing clothes and yourself. You start to miss the modern things if you go back woods camping long enough.

If you are lucky enough to go back woods camping by a lake the experience can be really fantastic. A lake all to yourself is a great thing. Loons tend to be on quiet unpopulated lakes. Loons are fun to watch and listen too. Other wildlife is easier to view on a quiet lake like frogs, turtles and coyotes.

It's getting harder and harder to find a place that you can go back woods camping. The world is getting more crowded making it harder to find a place to go back woods camping. Some states have back woods campsites that are alone and away from all other campsites. Some places call primitive camping a camp spot that has no amenities but you still have neighbors. A true back woods camping experience is when you have no other people in view or amenities.

If you know someone who has some land you can ask to go back woods camping on there land. Or maybe you have land you can back woods camp on yourself. Some states have back woods camping in there state parks. You can hike into the woods in some parks and find a good spot to back woods camp.

BACKWOODS TENT CAMPING TIPS

2009-09-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

When most people first start out camping, start out tent camping. Here are some tent camping tips to help you get the most out of your tent camping trip. The first thing you need to do is select the type tent that is right for you. This may seem like a easy task, but it is a very important one that will make sure that your tent camping trip is an enjoyable one.

Make sure you pick out a tent that is well made and will stand up to years of use and will stand up to harsh weather conditions in case the weather should turn bad.

The size of the tent should be big enough to hold everyone that will be camping along with their clothing and any other gear they may want to keep in the tent. When the tent manufacturer states that the tent will sleep 4 people, it usually means that it is big enough for 2 people and their gear. It all depends on the level of comfort you would like to have.

One of the important tent camping tips is the placement of the tent. While most campgrounds provide you with a good level place for you to set up your tent, there are some with very poor areas that are not very tent friendly.

If the camping area doesn’t have a well laid out tent pad, choose an area that is the most level and is not in a low spot. Arrange the tent so that you are sleeping with you head where the ground is the highest.

Stay away from setting up your tent in a low spot as they can fill up with water if it should start to rain. Because you don't want to find this out the hard way by wake up one morning after a heavy rain to find that your tent had about two inches of water in it.

The use of tarps is not only a good tent camping tip, but should be a priority no mater what type of camping you do.

Before you set up your tent, make sure you place a tarp under the tent to keep moisture from coming up through the bottom of your tent. Even if it doesn’t rain, enough moisture can come up through the ground and turn your clothing and bedding moist.

It is also a good idea to place a tarp over the top of your tent. While most of your good quality tents are water resistant and will keep the rain out, it is still possible for water to seep through your tent on long rainy days and get your things wet.

BACKWOODS PROPANE CAMPING STOVES

2009-09-03T05:04:00.000-07:00

There are both small and large stoves, with various models perfect for experienced campers and those who are just starting their outdoor adventures. With a propane camping stoves single and multiple burner designs, these stoves are perfect for all kinds of outdoor cooking. There also camping grills which can be placed over a fire pit and used to cook steaks, sausages, beef patties, and much more.

Propane stoves are perfect for camping, hunting, tailgating or cookouts in the backyard. Propane stoves have adjustable flame which lets you boil water or simmer beans. Wind baffles let you enjoy the outdoor breeze, not fight it to keep the flame going. There are aluminum steel cook tops and removable, nickel chrome grates let you spend your time enjoying the outdoors instead of on heavy cleanup duty.

Camping stoves make camping not so primitive. Just like home, you can grab a pan, some ingredients, and you can start cooking. Everyone would have what they want such as coffee, tea, steaks, sausages, beef patties, and much more. Propane stoves make a camping trip fun and easy. When you are out for camping, hunting, tailgating or cookouts in the backyard, one of the most important items in your checklist should be what kind of camping stove you must choose. However, there are many factors to be considered before purchasing these stoves, as they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and prices. The choice of the camping stoves depends on the usage of fuel too. When purchasing your stove look out for what fuel supply it uses. The best fuel option would be propane.

Reasons why a propane camp stove is a great way to do your cooking are because of its safety and portability; even you can regulate heat by utilizing these. Propane cooks hot very fast and is much cleaner than alternate fuel. It is very much like cooking at home on your kitchen stove. In situations like car campaign propane stoves are very easy to use. Propane is available in small canisters and also in bigger canisters which can be refilled and its most important advantage is that it is clean-burning. These stoves usually have at least two burners and are specially used in griddles and group camping.

Portability would be the best feature of a propane camping stove. These stoves would come in various different sizes. A 1 burner, 2 burner and 3 burner propane camping stoves can be available. Most of the camping stoves can also easily fold up and stay compacted until its being used. Propane cost much less when compared to other sources in the market.
So, a propane camp stove is a great cooking device on your camping trips as long as you remember to be prepared with extra propane, extra matches and lighters, Theses are all things that would make your camping trip happier.

HOW TO MAKE WATERPROOF MATCHES

2009-08-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Matches are one of the most convenient and surefire ways to start a fire. However the problem with matches is they are susceptible to moisture from water or even the humidity in the air. If your matches become damp or wet they will not lite and could put your survival at risk.

The solution to the wet matches problem is to include a vial of waterproof matches in the survival gear you use. While you could purchase waterproof matches from your favorite survival supply store, waterproof matches cost a bundle when compared to ordinary non-waterproof matches, may not always be available, and could be of suspect quality.

During a rainstorm is not the time to discover your supposedly waterproof matches will not lite. In my opinion you are far better off knowing how to make waterproof matches for yourself. In that way you can personally control the quality and quantity of this very important part of survival gear.

What are the best matches to make water proof: Although you could try to make paper matches waterproof they will be less durable and reliable than wooden matches. If you are serious about surviving you are better off purchasing at least several boxes strong wooden matches and reserve the paper ones for use at home.

I prefer wooden strike anywhere matches, then I do not need to rely upon a special striker surface to light the matches with. In survival situations the fewer working parts that can fail the better. This is backed up by many years of real world backwoods survival experience.

The process for making waterproof matches is simple and straightforward; set up a double boiler for melting the wax on your stove or even over a campfire. The usual precautions when dealing with hot surfaces and materials always applies.

Once the wax has melted dump in your matches and stir, making sure that the wax has completely covered the matches. Use pliers to remove the waterproofed matches one by one and set them aside to cool so that they are not touching one another.

And there you have it; waterproof matches. The thin layer of wax all around the match ensures the match will catch fire even if it has been immersed in water. As an added bonus the wax will help the match burn longer and hotter.

Store your home made waterproof matches in a waterproof match case and you have gone far toward ensuring you can start a fire when you need to even if your matches get wet.

Backwoods Clean Cooking With Wood Ashes

2009-08-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

When it comes to backwoods survival, large scale disaster, or even just camping outdoors we often try to do things in the same manner as we are use to doing at home. However what works well enough at home does not necessarily translate smoothly to a backwoods or disaster scenario where familiar supplies of every sort are limited or non-existent.

Solutions are available to most outdoor and survival problems, if only we have the knowledge and inventiveness to use them. But because we usually spend most of our time in civilization where specialized tools and products are readily available, we loose some of the edge in our abilities to utilize the common items we find around us in the backwoods.

Often it is simply a matter of key pieces of information missing in our expertise, which once provided suddenly gives us a powerful new way to accomplish necessary tasks. Survival Topics maintains that the best survivalists are experts at reusing what is available to them under field conditions.

Consider the daily duty of cleaning your mess kit after a meal. There can be no doubt that the proper cleaning of your mess kit and cooking gear is an important backwoods or disaster survival task; when it comes to the food you eat and the cooking gear and utensils that come in contact with it, a lack of proper hygiene can lay you low in short order.

In a disaster or backwoods survival setting you will often lack soap with which to wash your camp cooking gear and mess kit. Soap takes up weight and space, which is a very important consideration when every ounce and every cubic inch of your gear must be measured against what is most important for your survival. Especially when you are on foot the less you carry the better off you are; hard decisions must be made on what you bring with you and what is left behind.

On extended stays in the backwoods or during a large scale disaster re-supply from outside sources is usually not available. You are likely to eventually run out of any soap you have so an alternative means for cleaning your cooking gear and mess kit is preferable.

When practicing survival skills in the field I usually do not bring soap to clean my mess kit and cooking gear. To save on bulk and weight, I would forgo using any soap I was in favor of rubbing and swirling a mixture of water, mud and sand on cooking utensils in order to scrub off caked on grease and food particles. Although sanding down cooking gear certainly removes food residues, it often doesn’t eliminate all the grease. And the mess kit and cooking gear sure take a beating.

For many years I was content on using the sand and mud method to clean my cooking gear when in the backwoods. But one evening while sitting around the camp fire after having washed the remains of the evening meal from my mess kit with the usual mud, sand, and water mixture, the smoke sudden cleared from my eyes and the world seemed fresh and new. I had independently made a discovery that had already been known for centuries, Use wood ashes to clean dishes.

With a flash of insight I realized all the soap for washing my mess kit has always been right at hand. What’s more, the supply cannot be used up and I do not have to carry it.

The answer to all my mess kit and cooking gear cleaning problems? Wood ashes. At home I did the necessary research and discovered that cleaning dishes with wood ashes is a sound practice.

Wood ashes have been used for centuries as a source of lye in the soap making process. When lye derived from wood ashes is mixed with fats or oils a chemical action takes place that produces what we call soap. While the chemistry behind this process is beyond the scope of this Survival Topic, its implications are not; if you have wood ashes (from a campfire) and fats or oils (in your dirty dishes) then you’ve got soap!

HOW TO MAKE A CAMPFIRE GRILLING COOKING

2009-08-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Cooking is one of my hobbies. While hanging out with my father I learned about Cooking. Indoor, outdoor and campfire cooking was fun and easy with cast iron cookware. I remember the outdoors and the smell of campfire cooking, accompanied by the chorus of the squirrels, crickets and birds, during camping trips.

The most ordinary form of outdoor cooking is campfire cooking. For families it is particularly well fitting, it is an activity which presents an opportunity for pleasant evenings and outings. It has its own taste and fancy. Skill and knowledge is required, but both are easy to acquire. Campfire cooking is a tradition in itself and some cooks have years of experience both on safaris and at home. It is one of my favorite things in life. It is great; however, most campfire cooking is done in campgrounds. With improvements to camping cooking gear and a lots of easy-prep and in-store ingredients, it need not be limited to burgers, dogs and smokes. Another unique way of campfire cooking is to cook some food items inside of other foods. Another unusual campfire cooking method is cooking in paper. An unfussy and simple way of campfire cooking is to set a large coffee can on the coals. The days of utilitarian campfire cooking of yesteryear are gone. Try out a few odd techniques the next time you’re out camping.

If you’ve never done any campfire cooking or camp cooking before, one of the things to be aware of is that you’ll need to monitor food closely from start to finish because it can burn quickly. One of the disadvantages to campfire cooking is that cookware gets much dirtier than it does when cooking with a stove. So most likely campfire cooking will require more clean-up. Although campfire cooking can take a little more time than simply firing up the stove, it is more rewarding. If on the other hand you’re in the mood to take your time and enjoy the experience, campfire cooking can be relaxing in a way that a stove can’t begin to match.

Here are some items that you will need to have to be prepared for campfire cooking: Camping Cookbooks containing all the unique and fun camping recipes to make campfire cooking enjoyable. A large barbecue grill or rack will let you enjoy the full flavor and aroma of campfire cooking, using either wood or charcoal briquettes. On a Campfire a simple and easy way of campfire cooking is to set a large coffee can on the coals.

Campfire cooking is the most common form of outdoor cooking. There is definitely more to campfire cooking than just scorching marshmallows and making smokes. Have an outdoor party. Guest or spectators may soon become participants as the host or hosts divide their guests into teams and turn them loose for an afternoon of supervised campfire cooking Spurred on, in part, as they are getting hungry. Campfire cooking is gaining in popularity and or bringing friends and family together at the same time

While some view campfire cooking as a survival skill, most people do it for other reasons. Campfire cooking is a way to bring groups together. It is a method in which to lure kids away from their video games or as a way for dads to entertain kids on weekends, campfire cooking is an ideal way for families to reconnect. Everything tastes better roasted over an open fire maybe that is why kids campfire cooking is so popular. When you are done with your kid’s campfire cooking, make sure the fire is totally out.

ABOUT CAMPFIRES

2009-08-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Campfires have been used since humans discovered how to start sparks. They seem not only to kindle warmth but also a good story told has to be one of life most unsung pleasures. There are several different types of campfires and precautions, that should be taken when building one.

People have long been known to use campfires to cook food or to roast marshmallows on long sticks or twigs. This is not only a fun option when cooking but may be the only one if a person is camping unintentionally in an emergency and dose not have a camp stove which is safer and quicker choice for cooking on back wood camping trips.

Most campfires are recognizable by the stone circle or fire ring that holds the firewood in place and keeps it contained. Some fires are built in a clearing in the woods while others are built in designated camping sites. Fires built without man made fuel use tinder such as bark or dry grass, kindling such as thin sticks and twigs and timber or larger cut logs.When constructing a campfire people may choose to structure it in a variety of ways, often mimicking a structure such as a tepee, wagon wheel or log cabin. Though there is no specific size of a campfire, the fire ring is usually no bigger than three feet across and the flames no higher than four feet. A fire that is bigger and taller than a person is usually called a bonfire.

The beach is a great place to have a campfire because there are usually no leaves or dry brush around that could be ignited by the flames. In this case the stars are usually more visible and it is always a fun place to watch the waves. Beware to not build the fire in a place where the changing tides will reach it and put it out before desired.

Leaves or dry brush around that could be ignited by the flames. In this case the stars are usually more visible and it is always a fun place to watch the waves. Beware to not build the fire in a place where the changing tides will reach it and put it out before desired

It is possible for a campfire to get out of control and catch flammable thing such as nearby brush or other things, either on the ground or in the trees. Embers that float into the air or spark up when a log pops can land in trees or on people's clothes and hair. Many places prohibit fires during certain times of the year when the ground and surrounding leaves or pine needles are dry and in many areas they are illegal all year round. Forest fires and personal injury are a major concern

Take care when building a campfire to choose a proper location away from any direct overhanging branches or other hazards. Never leave a fire unattended and take care to extinguish the fire properly by pouring water or sand on the flames and embers until the hissing sound stops. Do not let a campfire get too big or the flames too high. Do not make one in an area where there are fire warnings or where there are signs prohibiting the lighting of fires.

BACKPACKING CAMP TRIP IN THE BACKWOODS

2009-08-19T18:23:00.000-07:00

Backpacking mostly blends hiking and camping out in one trip. A backpacker hike into the backwoods to spend one or two night there, and being prepared with their gear to satisfy sleeping and eating needs.

A backpacker pack all of their gear into a backpack. This equipment must include water, food and protection, or means to get them, but very little else, and frequently in a more close packed and easier from than one would make use of in stationary camping. A backpacking trip camp should include at the lease one over overnight stay. A lots of packing trip camp last barley a weekend, but long outing could last weeks or months, often time backpacker will have access to lodging that is more substantial than a tent and a stay in a hotel.

Packing trip camp are often time more strick than average camps. In region that experience a steady flow of backpackers traffic, a hike-in camp site could have a fire ring and a little wooden bulletin board with maps and a few warning signs. A lots of hike-in camp sites are no more than flat patches of ground without scrub or undergrowth. In really distant area, camp sites don't exist at all, and backpackers must pick out proper camp site themselves. Most backpackers deliberately try to avoid impacting along the land through with which they travel. This includes adopting proven trails as far as possible, not removing anything, and not leaving residue in the backwoods. They leave no trace drive extends a set of guide posts for low impact backpacking.

BACKWOODS WOOD BURNING STOVE FOR THE TRAIL

2009-08-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

Wood burning stoves are a popular alternative to modern stoves like propane stoves and liquid fuel stoves. They're lightweight, cheap and you don't need to carry any fuel because they burn wood. If there's wood around you can use this stove continuously for as long as you keep adding wood to it. This is a very efficient camping stove.

A wood burning stove is simply a piece of sheet metal that is cut and bent to form a chimney. It typically has small holes at the bottom and a large hole on top for the fire to vent when you put a pot on top. In some designs, the top holes are to one side only which causes the fire to burn unevenly. You also can't control the fire like you could in a propane stove or liquid fuel stove because there's no knob for you to control the fire.

Cooking with wood fire also means that you need to use a good hard wood that burn slower and hotter so you want have to feed it with wood frequently. Fires are also harder to start especially in the cold winds of winter. There will be a lot of smoke which some may find annoying if you don't use hard wood. Because wood burning stoves generate smoke and carbon dioxide cooking inside the tent in a fierce storm is out of the question. Another problem with wood burning stoves is that you can only use it where you are allowed to burn and collect wood.

In order to get a wood stove started you first need to have some kindling or you can whittle some wood with a knife to make some fine material which is very flammable. You can also use other stuff as long as it is flammable.

Once you have a sizeable amount of kindling ready, put the stove over the kindling and start to fill the stove with small pieces of wood. Twigs, branches or any wood that is less than a centimeter in diameter would work well. Try to lay your wood upright so that the smoke can move up the stove efficiently. Don't use too much wood at the beginning because it might hinder air circulation inside the stove. The fire won't burn well without the air.

Use a match or lighter to light the kinding to get the fire started. In a few moments you will have a fire ready for cooking. You might have to blow into the stove if you use wet wood. Once the stove gets going, it will continue to burn until you stop putting wood in.

Place your pot on top of the stove to start cooking. The fire and smoke will exhaust itself through the hole at the top of the stove. Add more wood if the fire starts to die out. With a good fire it takes about 10 minutes to get water to a rolling boil.

SHELTER FOR BACKWOODS SURVIVAL SITUATIONS

2009-08-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

In a backwoods survival situation, most people worry too much about food, water and fire, when they should be thinking about shelter. Most people can probably live four to six weeks without food. Water is certainly very important, but unless you are in the blazing hot desert, you can live anywhere from eight to fourteen days without it. Fire is also very nice and pleasant, but if you have good shelter, you can do without it. Shelter is the second most importance thing to a person's attitude when it comes to things that will help you survive in the backwoods.

Regarding attitude, Fear and panic are your biggest enemies in a backwoods survival situation. If you can keep your head calm, maintain an attitude of natural inquisitiveness about your surroundings, rather than feeling like it's your enemy, you will probably do all right. The key is being in harmony with nature, rather than acting as if it were your enemy.

Now, let's look at shelter. Shelters are quite easy to build using the available materials at hand. Shelters do not have to be worked out with great care and nicely detailed, they only need to be well insulated to keep you warm and dry if it should happen to rain. Shelters can be made with just about anything you find in the wilderness: dry leaves, sticks, branches, pine boughs; all of this are usually readily available and they are great for building a temporary debris hut.

A debris hut is probably the quickest type shelter to build. You want to make it just the right size. You want to build a debris hut that is big enough so that you can fit in it comfortably, but small enough so that there won't be a lot of empty space, so cold air will not surrounding you. The way to start building a debris hut is to start by making a frame work out of larger branches, which you can then place a layer of smaller branches. The ideal situation would be if you could find a tree branch that was about 8 feet long, and a tree stump that was about two or 3 feet tall. You could lean a tree branch on top of the stump so that the large end of the branch was on top of the stump and the small and was on the ground. The stump would be the entrance to your shelter, and the foot of your debris hut would be where the tree branch touched the ground. The next thing to do is use smaller branches to lay a framework in the shape of an A on both sides of the tree branch. Now it's time to start piling up leaves. Use pine boughs, ferns, or whatever is handy. The more insulation you have, the better. Two or 3 feet is not too thick. If it's going to turn cold at night, you will need plenty of insulation to retain your natural warmth while keeping out the cold.

This valuable knowledge of how to make backwoods shelter using the debris hut method will, hopefully, give you the added confidence you may need so you will remain calm and not panic in case you should ever find yourself in a genuine backwoods survival situation.

PICK A GOOD TENT SPOT IN THE BACKWOODS

2009-08-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

With the camping season approaching us, many families will take to the backwoods to go camping. If you yourself have never truly camped in a tent before, you are missing out on the greatest form of camping. Taking a tent with all the goodies to the backwoods is an experience like none other.

However, it is not something that you just up and do one day without getting a few basics . Where to place your tent is very important on your camping expedition. There are so many magazine picture of the perfect campsite that are misleading. A perfectly built fire with the opening of the tent facing the fire which is only a few footsteps away. Sorry, but that is not advisable in the backwoods with real animals and real natural elements such as smoke.

To give you a good idea of where to pitch your tent when camping, I'll tell you about a camping trip that we went on in the backwoods.

We were in the backwoods, not a forested commercial campground. The trail had designated campsites to help with the overall impact of the area. Ours was located in a bend along a small river and came complete with a campfire area with log benches . There was also a 'high hide' for us to string up the food at night. No picnic table, no barbecue grill, no faucet with clean water and no outhouse. It was pure backwoods camping and we were planning on staying four days and three nights.

This type of campsite allows you to choose where you place your tent. We did have some guidelines from a Park Ranger, that we met with before departing, on how to choose our tent site.We chose our tent site based on the pointer outlined by the Ranger. First we didn't want to be too close to the water. Low lying areas near streams and creeks are susceptible to flooding if Mother Nature dishes out a heavy rain storm. Up in the mountains, what looks like a moderate rain storm can compound quickly if the run-off gathers in the stream.

Next we checked the area for dead trees. We certainly didn't want a big gust of wind knocking a tree down on us. We made sure that our tent was not in range of any dead trees. Our fire and food prep area needed to be far enough away from our tent to keep us safe from animals looking for lunch. If a bear smells your campsite, you certainly don't want him rummaging through your tent, too. We kept all food items with strong orders, dangling fifteen feet above the ground. However, we made sure that our tent was a good thirty yards away from that.

The last factor in the decision of where to place our tent was the outhouse. In the backwoods, there aren't any outhouses. You are truly roughing it when you have to find a suitable place to 'take care of business'. But you want privacy at the same time. We didn't want our 'outhouse area' to be too close to our tent and certainly not upwind.

So with all those factors in mind, we came up with a space that was situated out in a meadow, away from the standing dead trees, water, fire, food, and outhouse. Our next task was finding the smoothest, most level ground to setup our tent on. Once we found a good spot, we positioned our tent door away from the main wind direction. We were already far enough away from the fire that smoke would not be an issue for us. The ground would provide adequate drainage in the event of a rain water overflow so we didn't need to dig a trench around our tent.

Our camping trip was awesome and we had a great time. My advice to all of you that want to venture out into the backwoods this summer is plan ahead, follow the advice of the Forest Rangers when given, and use Murphy's law.

COOKING AT BACKWOODS CAMP SITE

2009-08-06T02:55:00.000-07:00

The back woods campers travels light, because everything must be carried on their backs and still leave them room to enjoy their trek. Foods form a large part of the load (flower, for instance, is taken instead of loves of bread). Probably the only cooking gear they carries is a simple pot and pan.The secret to successful cooking backwoods is to build a good fire that will provide hot embers for it is embers that cook not the flames. Cooking fires may be divided into two kinds-the quick and the slow: The quick fire gives all it energy or heat in a few moments and is soon over, while the slow fire goes on and on giving a steady heat for a long time. The quick fire is for boiling coffee or the snack meal, and the slow fire is best suited to the end of the day cooking the main meal and for its comfort. Cooking on a smokey fire as you know is a miserable job, it give a peculiar taste to the food, blackens the pots you'll to scrubbing later.
Cooking without utensils is called backwoods cooking it is not only fun it also cut down on the clean up. You can cook many types of foods on wooden skewers find a thin green stick one that bend but dose not snap. Do not use holly, elm and laurel which are poisonous. Peel the bark off and make a point at one end. you can then push the skewer through the food and hang over the fire or laid with one end on the ground.
After backwoods cooking you have to clean up the pots and pans you have no dish detergent to break down the grease but still want to clean your cooking gear. The answer to cooking gear cleaning problem is at your camp site? wood ashes. Wood ashes have been used for centuries as a source of lye in the soap making process, when lye derived from wood ashes is mixed with fat oils a chemical actions take place that produces what we call soap. The pot that need cleaning put in the wood ashes then add hot water and mix into a thin paste. The hot water will create potassium salt from the wood ashes, which will then mix with the fat or oils in the food residue this from a crude soap. Smear this all over your cooking gear and let it set for several minute then scrub clean and rinse with water.

BACKWOODS CAMPS

2009-07-31T03:27:00.000-07:00

Backwoods camps are where you go camping in a place that has know one else around. There are no amenities of any kind and there are no neighbors at back woods camp.This is intense camping when we say ''backwoods camps,'' we mean ''backwoods camps,'' no 7-11 down the road, no cabin for shelter, no ranger to check up on you. During back woods camping, you pitch a tent in the middle of the woods and completely fend for yourself. In other words, it's primitive camping: get your own food, poop in the woods, sleep out side, and connect with nature.

When backwoods camping never do it alone put plainly, the large the group the better,and where two party is the minimum four would be truly ideal. This offers numerous advantages, including the dispersal of weighty communal items an increased party-presence that will help ward-off unwanted wildlife, and the reduced chance that a disaster along the trail will leave one member alone and immobilized while another goes back for help. Never wonder off the trail or away from the group it will have you thinking like this, its been three miles since I've seen human life, its been two miles since I've seen any semblance of a trail, it's been one mile since I started to panic then you know you're deep in the backwoods and lost so stay with the group and trail.

Here are few things that are very important to take with you, a hat for shading the sun and help out the sunscreen, axe for fire wood, bungee cord to hang a lantern or lock the cooler, rope that can be used for many thing and if you are going to be at a backwoods camp for more than a couple of days a portable toilet or shower will be invaluable. Backwoods campers always carry the essentials - a flashlight with spare batteries, a sweater or jacket, gloves, extra food & water, sunscreen, candles & fire starter, first aid kit, a small emergency tarp and a whistle or other emergency signal. A large orange garbage bag has several uses other than dry storage - as a raincoat, a mini-tent or a bright signal flag.

BARBECUE TOOLS DELUXE

2009-07-26T19:47:00.001-07:00

Its time to prepare for the grilling season ahead of you make it the best one yet ,you'll find that having a good barbecue tool set really make your cook out the best ever.
As you already know, barbecuing is something that has a great deal to recommend it due to the fact that you can start of with raw materials and have something flavorful at the end. You'll also find that having the right barbecue tool set is great for getting the results that you need.
When you are looking to host the perfect barbecue,you'll find that a barbecue tool set can go a long way toward making it happen. you'll especially find that is useful if you're away from home, say, at the park,tailgating,and camping. having a pre-package set of barbecue tool that has everything that you need to get started and keep barbecuing. this barbecue tool set will really suit you.You`ll see how useful it is to have everything right there. This the best barbecue tool set for you!

PICNIC BACKPACKS

2009-07-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

In recent years, the uses of the picnic backpack to carry necessary items, such as food containers ,utensils and other accessories to the picnic site has increase.The all-in-one container for all the picnic items necessary to make the outing enjoyable. This include compartments and pocket for utensils like knives fork and spoon, food container and even bottle of wine or can beverages There are many different style, designs and color of picnic backpack to choose from. There are wine picnic backpack, 4 person picnic backpack and 2 person picnic back, and come with color from red to a rainbow. Almost all picnic backpack are made with insulated materials to keep the food in top condition and and the soda or wine cold. These picnic backpack are comfortable to carry and keep all your items in place until you've made it to the picnic site.

CAMPING TENTS PICK THE RIGHT ONE

2009-07-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right tent for your trip is very important to the enjoyment of the trip. Tent has many provision of protection during a camping trip that include protection from dangerous animal and insects that carry different viruses that can endanger the live of people. they also provide protection from bad weather such as thunder storm or just to get out of the sun.

When considering the right camping tent there are many thing that have to be taken into account. these include the condition of the weather at the camp site that are to be visited because weather is unpredictable but should be considered. Water proof tents are the best type to purchase they protect against most type of weather and are close on all side, although they 're better weather protector many people prefer the fresh air camping tent.

Consider the time of year the camping trip take place is very important this mean on winter trip there a need for protection from the cold and summer the rainfall. the consideration of the type of animal and insect should govern the type of tent chosen. There are many dangerous reptile that that can be poisonous and insects such as mosquitoes that carry virus.

PICNIC ON - THE - GO TOTE

2009-07-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Picnics usually take place on a beautiful landscape such as parks, beside a lake or any other interesting view of your choice. Picnics also can be held at public events such as open air concert and most often people go on picnics in the spring summer or fall. Picnics can be an intimate occasion between two people or a large get to gather such as church picnic and company picnic, but more often they're family oriented. Sometime picnic are combined with cookout usually a form of barbecue. Potluck picnic, a gathering at which each person bring a dish to the table for all to share. The food eaten at picnic is rarely hot, instead take the form of finger food, fresh fruit, sandwiches and accompanied soft drink or wine

TYPES OF WOOD USED FOR THREE TYPES OF CAMPFIRES

2009-07-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

If you plan to take a camping trip this year then its a good bet that you are looking forward to building a good camp fire. When ever you plan this trip think of the type of campfire you want to build and the type of wood you want to use.

First lets look at the types of wood to use for your campfire. You want to use wood that put out good heat to cook or keep you warm, easy to split one or two hit will do, no heavy smoke to keep you moving around to avoid it and throw no sparks that have you jumping around and knocking sparks off. The best wood for your campfire would be red and white oak, birch, hickory maple, and pecan, these woods are excellent for your campfire. There are wood like chestnut,yellow-popular cedar and larch that will throw spark give you medium heat and medium smoke this is a poor wood for campfires.

Second let look at the different types of campfire to build, there are three types wagon wheel, blog cabin and tepee. The wagon wheel shape you will first create a pile of small flammable kindling in the center of your pit. With this campfire design you will lay your larger sticks and twigs across the top and center of the kindling pile. Continue adding additional twigs and branch all the way around so that you have a spoke wheel type shape in the center of the pit.

Blog cabin type of campfire you also start with small kindling in the middle of the circle, make sure you have enough to get a good flam burning. then lay out your sticks and banches in a square shape surrounding the pile of kindling. This make a box like structure, which resembles an log cabin. When you light the kindling pile in the center, the flame from the center will extend to the walls of twigs and branches, thus you have a blog cabin campfire.

Then there the tepee type campfire, it get it name because the sticks are arranging in the shape of a tepee. First make a small pile of kindling in the center of the circle, then stand up numerous sticks in a circular pattern all leaning against each at the top this looks like a small tepee. When the kindling is lite in the middle the fire spread to the outer sticks and you have a tepee type campfire. Make sure you take multiple sources of fire with you such as a lighter and waterproof matches.