Yeah I had got a weird security warning from the old forum, and decided to jump on my phone. Then I saw all this new forum talk. Decided I better see what's up.
Hopefully DJ Jr will not get kicked out of his book contest for this prop he did. Judging is tonight. That book has always been relevant but even more so in the current environment.
I vastly underestimated the amount of time required to build a shelter. The heat was an unexpected challenge as well. I learned a few things from the shelter we built in rat class last time and i learned a few more on this one. Took these three tools but honestly used them very little. The axe is a local product that i was there for its construction as the artist is a friend. Mostly used trees to break my sticks as its easier and i dont normally carry an axe. The knife is the esee 4hm that i modded the sclaes to fit my hands. The folder is a spyderco manix that just got to ride around in my pocket. Had a few ideas of what i was looking for in a site but never found them so i just stopped and made do with what i had in front of me. My assistant in the pictures had some paracord but ended up finding a vine that worked great. Shored up underneath the cross beam with sticks to be safe. Used two trees to break most of the sticks for laying on the beam. For debris i used my poncho to help me carry it.
For the fire portion i used the esee fire steel and a rock i picked up on the hike in. Used char cloth made from an old t shirt last season. The tinder bundle was dried cedar bark if it can be dry in 90% humidity. Took wayyy longer than expected. About 30 minutes and a minor questioning of my skills i had an ember. There are a few feelings close to the rush of hearing the fire envelop the bundle. That heat on your hands. The smoke in your eyes. Beautiful.
For the camp item i made one then felt it was too easy. Made another and felt better. First is a way to keep my water pot above the fire for boiling. Next ive always wanted a set of chop sticks for the woods so i found a dead cedar branch and went to work. Was shocked at the beauty inside. Really like these and added them to my food kit for all time. Edit: took some 600 grit to them and some mineral oil and they will have a sewn carry case very soon. Should have done this years ago!!! Leave no trace. Thank you for hosting this and the things ive learned are that many tasks can be done with limited tools like the primitive you tube fellas. Also, the shelter needs more debris and id have liked it deeper and lower. Looking at the height before i thought it was gtg but id be happier if it was 6" lower and about that deeper. The fire was difficult. My flint and steel skills have degraded and my sweaty hands and dripping face didnt help. Humbling.
Dave, Just saw this. You're a gentleman! Gonna try and get out this next weekend. We were hiking yesterday and almost didn't make it back! Strig, Good stuff. Excellent assistant. Nice write-up and documentation. Gonna be hard to beat but we'll take a stab at it if this is still running next weekend.
I'm going to keep this going for a while. Originally a month, but might extend it for some cooler weather because I understand how miserable it is out there. @Strigidae you did an excellent job, and way to persevere on the firemaking even though the weather was working against you. This whole thing is about practicing skills and perfecting them as much as possible. I know my primitive fire skills are lacking, and I wish I had the time right now to perfect them. Keep up the great work everyone!
So we can use char cloth and a manufactured fire steel? You might as well go ahead and send me the lighter. Appreciate the extension.
Lots of smoke and no fire gents. Get out and sweat like a man! Thanks dave! It was a struggle. Got to practice more and more.
