A reader (Paul – thank you) has gazumped me in the ultralight saw stakes after viewing my post Ultralight Saw Experiments with a ‘saw’ that probably weighs under 5 grams but could still be used to make Ultralight Tent Poles – or similar items of camp furniture. In his own words (and picture): “I have […]
We may prefer to think we will always be able to camp by some peaceful verdant stream but sometimes our path leads us elsewhere – sometimes indeed there are splendid adventures to be had and beautiful vistas to see where there is no water at all – some treasured remote and solitary spot which we
Avenza has morphed into a really great mapping tool. I used to use the previous free version (PDF Maps) in conjunction with bought versions of Vicmap topographical maps but abandoned it in favour of Paper Maps a few years ago. Today I took a fresh look at it. Now it has a vast swathe of
Baden Powell, the hero of Mafeking was right. Even though I have never been a scout, having long followed Groucho Marx’s dictum that I would not be a member of anything which would have me as a member – besides I prefer to travel alone – nonetheless I am an admirer of such proverbs and
I deem that shelter is the most important primary need which you can supply yourself. You certainly must master the secrets of shelter if you want to be confident of enjoying yourself in the outdoors and surviving. No doubt all of you have heard about Maslow’s ‘hierarchy of needs’. You will (perhaps) note that amongst
How to prevent the rain from putting out your fire? I have been toying with this idea for some time. My solution is the ‘fire umbrella’ or ‘fire canopy’ – as shown. This is a prototype which doesn’t need to be set up thus or quite so close to the tent (if you are worried
I just bought a new trowel which I am very happy with, a BoglerCo Ultralight Trowel. Mine weighs 13.45 grams on my scales. It is made from (hardened) aircraft-grade aluminium. It is intelligently designed so it does not wear a hole in your hand which is a decided improvement on most such things so that
It is highly desirable to carry a fixed blade knife mainly for those rare occasions when it is necessary to split branches to produce dry kindling and shave them to produce ‘excelsior’ (wood shavings) which are the best fire starter. Lighting a fire when it is very wet and cold is the most important time
Getting a fire going (in the rain and wet) is the most important thing you need to know – ever. If you don’t know it, one day you will die from your ignorance. It will always be unexpected. Folks are always heading off for a day’s drive wearing shorts and tee shirts into the High
Let it be a golden rule with you that you always carry some form of shelter with you when you are out and about. You can lose heat very quickly in cold. soaking rain and soon be in desperate trouble unless you have some form of shelter. The humble garbage (or trash) bag is quite
