- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,290
Ive been spending some time building a base camp for semi-long term use in the Eastern Woodlands. I wanted a place I could go to no matter how hot or cold, anytime of the year. The winters could be brutal here and I was looking for a place not too far, but secluded enough so that the recreational hiker wouldnt stumble upon me, however, not too far as to not be able to get there in the deep snow. I needed a close water supply and wood, but then again those things are both plentiful in these woods. I was paying attention to the 4 Ws when looking for a place to make my camp. About 98% of the build was dead hardwood.
Among the Beech, Maples and Oaks
The 4 Ws
Water
Wood
Make camp near a few good deadfalls that have not started rotting. You'll find that most wood will be easy to retrieve with a decent pair of gloves.
Wind
Hard to predict, but the wind usually goes up the canyon/hill/mountain in the day and down at night. But don't live by this...it's wind--blows wherever it wants. Try to set up tarp where the wind is parallel or at the back.
Widow makers
Hard to control because even green live trees are susceptible to wind and blow over often. Obvious dead branches, leaning over trees and dead trees in wind prone areas should be avoided.
The extra W is wiggly. Obviously, setting up near ant colonies, termite mounds, bees/yellow jackets nests, or snake holes should be considered.
Possibles Pouch & Coffee Cup
I made sure to get a cup that fits into my newest Possibles pouch. The contents are mostly stored inside the cup, in the pouch.
Horace Kephart wrote that all man needs to thrive in the woods are tools and water. How about tools, water, coffee, and food Horace?
Tools and tool making
I used a corona 10 pruning saw for most of the big work and a small fixed blade (between 3-3 ½ blade). They helped make all tarp stakes, pot hangers, Burtonsville rig, pack hangers, tongs, pole bed, tripods, pot movers & lid lifters, a mallet, split-stick pan holder, and fire.
Corona Razortooth 10 Saw
In the two years Ive been using this saw I am always impressed with the speed in which it tears through oak, maple, dogwood, sourwood, hemlock, and beech. This is my winter saw, but perfect for building.
Tongs
Tarp stakes (only two)
These are my favorite type of stakes to make. I never sharpen the bottoms, just simply cross-grain baton the ends going into the ground at a steep angle (with a knife, axe, machete, or tomahawk). Simple and effective.
Burtonsville Rig
Mallet Making
A fun, super simple way to ensure you have a decent baton.
Carving away to smooth it out.
Split-stick pan holder
Again, another simple project to add a handle to a pie tin and use it as a frying pan. I split a stick (about broom-stick thickness) four ways and jam the rim of the tin into the splits, kind of by twisting them. This makes it grip the rim of the tin very securely. I can lay it flat on coals or prop it back letting the fire/heat warm the bottom.
Fire and all woodcraft was done with
Sooty mold fire tinder
The beech blight aphid is a small insect in the order Hemiptera that feeds on the sap of American beech trees. The aphids form dense colonies on small branches and the undersides of leaves.
Unlike punk wood, cattail heads, or cotton fabric, theres no need to char the sooty mold for it to catch and hold a spark. The black mass already appears charred and has plenty of nooks and crannies for increased surface area to hold sparks off a ferro rod. I have not tested it with flint and steel yet.
The forest is kind (poplar bark and Sooty mold fire tinder)
Once ablaze, I set the tinder bindle under the Lean-to fire lay
Boiling for some cajun chicken pasta, while Fridays left over chicken warmed on a rock near the fire.
Mors Kochanski inspired Simple-Bed
Mors says to make the bed first and put up the overhead shelter (tarp/natural thatching) last. This definitely gives room and freedom to move and make adjustments before the area is reduced and constricted with a roof.
Forked-sticks tripod and wedged ridge pole
Bed and stored wood for a later fire
Reflector wall is really just a wall to hide the flames of my fire. I t will keep some warmth in my camp area in cold weather, but its mostly for camouflage.
Among the Beech, Maples and Oaks
The 4 Ws
Water
Wood
Make camp near a few good deadfalls that have not started rotting. You'll find that most wood will be easy to retrieve with a decent pair of gloves.
Wind
Hard to predict, but the wind usually goes up the canyon/hill/mountain in the day and down at night. But don't live by this...it's wind--blows wherever it wants. Try to set up tarp where the wind is parallel or at the back.
Widow makers
Hard to control because even green live trees are susceptible to wind and blow over often. Obvious dead branches, leaning over trees and dead trees in wind prone areas should be avoided.
The extra W is wiggly. Obviously, setting up near ant colonies, termite mounds, bees/yellow jackets nests, or snake holes should be considered.
Possibles Pouch & Coffee Cup
I made sure to get a cup that fits into my newest Possibles pouch. The contents are mostly stored inside the cup, in the pouch.
Horace Kephart wrote that all man needs to thrive in the woods are tools and water. How about tools, water, coffee, and food Horace?
Tools and tool making
I used a corona 10 pruning saw for most of the big work and a small fixed blade (between 3-3 ½ blade). They helped make all tarp stakes, pot hangers, Burtonsville rig, pack hangers, tongs, pole bed, tripods, pot movers & lid lifters, a mallet, split-stick pan holder, and fire.
Corona Razortooth 10 Saw
In the two years Ive been using this saw I am always impressed with the speed in which it tears through oak, maple, dogwood, sourwood, hemlock, and beech. This is my winter saw, but perfect for building.
Tongs
Tarp stakes (only two)
These are my favorite type of stakes to make. I never sharpen the bottoms, just simply cross-grain baton the ends going into the ground at a steep angle (with a knife, axe, machete, or tomahawk). Simple and effective.
Burtonsville Rig
Mallet Making
A fun, super simple way to ensure you have a decent baton.
Carving away to smooth it out.
Split-stick pan holder
Again, another simple project to add a handle to a pie tin and use it as a frying pan. I split a stick (about broom-stick thickness) four ways and jam the rim of the tin into the splits, kind of by twisting them. This makes it grip the rim of the tin very securely. I can lay it flat on coals or prop it back letting the fire/heat warm the bottom.
Fire and all woodcraft was done with
Sooty mold fire tinder
The beech blight aphid is a small insect in the order Hemiptera that feeds on the sap of American beech trees. The aphids form dense colonies on small branches and the undersides of leaves.
Unlike punk wood, cattail heads, or cotton fabric, theres no need to char the sooty mold for it to catch and hold a spark. The black mass already appears charred and has plenty of nooks and crannies for increased surface area to hold sparks off a ferro rod. I have not tested it with flint and steel yet.
The forest is kind (poplar bark and Sooty mold fire tinder)
Once ablaze, I set the tinder bindle under the Lean-to fire lay
Boiling for some cajun chicken pasta, while Fridays left over chicken warmed on a rock near the fire.
Mors Kochanski inspired Simple-Bed
Mors says to make the bed first and put up the overhead shelter (tarp/natural thatching) last. This definitely gives room and freedom to move and make adjustments before the area is reduced and constricted with a roof.
Forked-sticks tripod and wedged ridge pole
Bed and stored wood for a later fire
Reflector wall is really just a wall to hide the flames of my fire. I t will keep some warmth in my camp area in cold weather, but its mostly for camouflage.
