Building a all-winter shelter

[LMT66]

You might consider digging a small [hand width and depth] ditch from outside,under the wall to the fire pit and cover it with flat stones/bark and dirt to make a tunnel/ outside air source for your fire rather than sucking cold air through the door. You can put a flat rock over the outside to control the air flow. Your fire will burn a lot hotter with a dedicated air source and you will be warmer with no cold air flow coming through the door.--KV

This sounds like a good idea and I think it might work well. Hot fire=less smoke. Thanks for the tip.

 

[heresthedeal]

You might consider digging a small [hand width and depth] ditch from outside,under the wall to the fire pit and cover it with flat stones/bark and dirt to make a tunnel/ outside air source for your fire rather than sucking cold air through the door. You can put a flat rock over the outside to control the air flow. Your fire will burn a lot hotter with a dedicated air source and you will be warmer with no cold air flow coming through the door.--KV

is that your idea or did you read it somewhere? if its yours, congrats,:thumbup: if its not what book was it?

 

[Joezilla]

Hey, do any of you guys have a temp gun to keep an eye on the temp in it?

 

[JGON]

My tools, GB SFA, Marchand Puukko, SAK OHT.

Dear LMT66,

I am extremely jealous of your bushcrafting knife/hatchet/SAK set up.

From,

JGON

PS

Although my set up is going to soon be similar, it is not quite to that point yet, but you've got all bases covered in incredible fashion...

I ordered my GB Wildlife Hatchet, and I can't wait for it to come in. How do you like the Marchand Puukko? That is tops on my list for a bushcraft knife. Instead of the SAK, I have a Victorinox Swisstool. More size and weight, but very capable.

 

[Cougar Allen]

is that your idea or did you read it somewhere? if its yours, congrats,:thumbup: if its not what book was it?

That idea is older than books. The Indians used to do it....

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome work, I like those shelters. I've been looking for a place to do a good bender later on this winter.

How is Rick's Bushcrafter doing? Man I love that blade shape! I'd use the Bushlore I got from him a lot more often if it weren't technically my oldest daughter's knife. She and Rick may just have to get over that later on this Autumn. I am seriously considering making here a bushcraft knife and then keeping that one for myself...my thinking being it will never mean quite as much to her as it does to me

Hmmmm, I wonder if I could get him to cord wrap it for me.....

 

[kvaughn]

is that your idea or did you read it somewhere? if its yours, congrats,:thumbup: if its not what book was it?

What Cougar said!--We used to do it as kids. We had a shelter down on the creek that we used, and added on to/fixed continuously for years.I had younger brothers that kind of inherited it when I left home. I think my grandad originally told us about the fire tunnel thing.--KVn

 

[LMT66]

Awesome work, I like those shelters. I've been looking for a place to do a good bender later on this winter.

How is Rick's Bushcrafter doing? Man I love that blade shape! I'd use the Bushlore I got from him a lot more often if it weren't technically my oldest daughter's knife. She and Rick may just have to get over that later on this Autumn. I am seriously considering making here a bushcraft knife and then keeping that one for myself...my thinking being it will never mean quite as much to her as it does to me

Hmmmm, I wonder if I could get him to cord wrap it for me.....

When I got it from Rick is was shaving sharp. I stropped it a little bit and put it to work. It trimmed up many green and seasoned bows for the dome, cut all the rope used (2 rolls@ 100' each) and other small tasks and the edge still grabs my nail my handle to tip. No dings, rolls or chips.
That wrap might not look like it, but it is very comfortable. He wrapped over leather so it has a nice feel in hand. Doesn't matter if it's wet or dry, it is secure. I've never been a fan of knives with no finger guard but I never used a blade with a wrap like this. Very fond of this blade.

 

[Mistwalker]

When I got it from Rick is was shaving sharp. I stropped it a little bit and put it to work. It trimmed up many green and seasoned bows for the dome, cut all the rope used (2 rolls@ 100' each) and other small tasks and the edge still grabs my nail my handle to tip. No dings, rolls or chips.
That wrap might not look like it, but it is very comfortable. He wrapped over leather so it has a nice feel in hand. Doesn't matter if it's wet or dry, it is secure. I've never been a fan of knives with no finger guard but I never used a blade with a wrap like this. Very fond of this blade.

Rick does some great work and great heat treat. Tt took some time to even dull the Bushlore I have a little, I know how that wrap feels, I got to experience it at Blade and the guy that is mentoring me on knives does one very similar. Very grippy. Rick was a big influence on me and my opinions on guards, though I definitely still love them on some knives.

 

[LMT66]

Added a few pictures up front. Have a nice roof overhead and can now start on the cold air channel to the small long-fire pit inside.

 

[Mistwalker]

Looks great, coming along nicely.

 

[stealthchaser13]

That idea is older than books. The Indians used to do it....

actually, the basis of it is similar to the buildings the algonquin native americans used to live in.

 

[solocanoe]

man, that's awesome. congrats.
and thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[newadventure]

Hopefully no bears (or other animal incl humans) will claim it when you are not there,,, looks great, nice work!

 

[TheZenful1]

Update; LMT & I were out at the spot again today. I snapped a few pics...
Here's a view from the nearest road, the spot's hidden pretty well.

This is a view snapped from the top of the ridge looking back toward a body of water nearby.

From a short distance off one wouldn't even really see the structure.

Some red berries growing on a nearby bush. Sorry it didn't come out too clear. Seems my camera had issues with focusing today.

It looks like nothing has been disturbed from the last time LMT was here...

A view of the front as I carefully approached.

 

[TheZenful1]

I cleared away the entrance & went to work with a cheapo Coleman folding shovel. After working with the $8 shovel I decided that I'll invest in an army surplus shovel. Not really pleased overall with it, but it did accomplish the tasks I set out to do today.

We were doing some recon and came across some tracks & assorted scat. 1st set is deer, that I did recognize...

scat1

scat2 & 3

 

[TheZenful1]

A tad blurred Knife pron; my JK Phoenix, she's a beaut!

Seen some other signs of deer in the area too!

More rubbage

Figured I would look into collecting some materials for an itty bitty fire.

Along with some dead twigs & branches in the area I pulled out my new spark set that hasn't seen the outdoors until today. Courtesy of John @ JK Knives.

That thing throws some spark showers! :thumbup::thumbup:

My feather stick wasn't quite good enough, so I tossed in a new fire tinder a friend of mine came up with. Had a little fire going in no time.

 

[grunt soldier]

Thezenful1, love the phoenix, i got one also w/ black micarta and its amazing. the handle has great contours for sure.

 

[kvaughn]

I cleared away the entrance & went to work with a cheapo Coleman folding shovel. After working with the $8 shovel I decided that I'll invest in an army surplus shovel. Not really pleased overall with it, but it did accomplish the tasks I set out to do today.

We were doing some recon and came across some tracks & assorted scat. 1st set is deer, that I did recognize...

scat1

scat2 & 3

The Cold Steel Spetznatz shovels are great.:thumbup:I ve had and used one for years.--KV