November 2010 | The-Atlantic-thefemalesurvivalist

Hunters Visit the Cabin

8:02 AM | Labels: hunters, suvival shelter, trash

The cabin in its early stages. It now has many insulating layers of leaves.

The survival shelter I built, which I've named "the cabin" to distinguish it from other nearby landmarks, has been visited by a hunter.

I found a jar perched on the framework this morning. Inside the sealed jar was a note reading

"Hunting Bear in God's Country. BoBo 11/24/2010 10:30 a.m. Put note back in Jar"

Inside the cabin was a broken blue cigarette lighter. In the virgin fire ring a wad of unused toilet paper.

Now, I love the fact a hunter could use the shelter. However, no one gets to leave junk.

At the intersection was a piece of paper with similar information. That also goes in the garbage.

If you ever have to pick up someone's trash, an easy effective germ free way to do this is use a walmart plastic bag. Place it over your hand like a glove. Reach for the offending object, pulling it into the bag while keeping the bag on your hand. Once the item is all the way in the bag and your hand is now in the open, tie the bag shut.

I clean trash from the woods periodically because it makes for a much nicer wilderness experience.

Praying for Survival

8:56 AM | Labels: god, power, praying, will to live

The story is out: three teenagers adrift at sea in the South Pacific prayed for rescue. They survived 50 days, hanging onto their aluminum boat, sipping rainwater that fell into it, eating flying fish that landed in the boat, and killing with their bare hands one silly bird that landed on it.

I don't have a problem with praying. I don't really Pray. Many folks have suffered horrible outcomes regardless of the time they spent begging their god for help.

But, if praying keeps hope alive, if praying keeps someone focused and in the moment, its a great tool.

We tend to bargain with the great spirit, as though anything we'd do in the future could convince him-her-it to change the circumstances.

Watching world events unfold, I have lost confidence in a god that takes much stock in any one individuals suffering. Seems like god is a being that likes to test us by stirring the pot to see what happens.

My friend thinks the reason we can't be sure there is reincarnation is that we'd just give up when it gets too miserable, commit suicide, and take a chance on the next life being better.

I'm not really sure how the spirits work, the gods, or supreme powers.

But I say, if praying helps you, then do it.

As any true survivalist will tell you, the most important thing is the will to live. Praying, bargaining, repenting, and forgiving may give you a larger purpose than just making it out alive for your own well being.

Its good to feel something out there is larger than ourself, and may have an interest in our future.

HIgh Peak USA Website Link

6:29 AM | Labels: business opportunity, High Peak USA, South Col four season tent

High Peak USA, the manufacturer of the South Col tent that I'm reviewing has a lot of great looking gear.

Check out their website for more information.
http://www.highpeakusa.org/

Many companies market through other distributors and don't do direct sales to indiviguals. Their website assists you in finding these outlets.
According to their home page, they are presently looking for dealers east of the Rocky Mountains. There is an e-mail link if you might be one of those interested in this.

Patagonia Fleece-Gear Review

5:59 AM | Labels: Fleece buying tips, gear review, Patagonia

Fleece comes in various weights and fabric content.
The quality you'll find with brand names is worth the money. Although I bought some wonderful fleece jackets at Old Navy in 2009 in one of their blow out sales, when I really need a serious warm layer, I pull out my Patagonia.

It's a wonderful woodland green with one chest pocket. It doesn't have a hood, my only regret. It's a pull over, and weighs 15 ounces, a winter weight. The sleeves are plenty long, a key factor in choosing an insulating layer.

I love that even after many years of trail use, living in it for days on the Colorado Trail it is in very good condition. It still doesn't "pill", a sign of high quality fleece.

Brand names are costly. Look for them at thrift stores, on sale or as gifts. Think of them as an investment. Unlike cheap fleece, they will last a very long time.

South Col-Four Season Tent-Review

11:03 AM | Labels: Brad Johnson, gear repair, gear review, South Col four season tent

I received my South Col Four Season Tent yesterday and set it up this morning. I was really looking forward to seeing this signature tent by Brad Johnson, a man with over 35 years experience in mountaineering.

Unfortunately, the first time I set it up, one of the long aluminum poles broke right in the middle of the section. I created a repair sleeve from an old hiking pole of mine, carefully sanded it down and threaded it over the dome pole. Directions on how to make your own pole repair sleeve can be found at
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com

This is a beautiful tent. Weights as follows: 9 pounds 7 ounces for the entire shipped weight, which includes 23 serious winter stakes, generous carrying case, body, fly and poles. I divided up the sections to see the weights into three, the capacity of this nearly square dome:

body is 3 pounds 3 ounces, fly is 3 pounds 6 ounces, and the rest of the equipment would add up to 2 pounds 12. The carrying case could be replaces with a simple silnylon stuff sack, saving nearly 3.5 ounces.

Its easy to pitch this tent, even for one person. Stake down the 4 corners, select and prepare poles for tent by laying diagonally across body. Place ends in grommets, gently curving and raising poles, clipping body to poles near bottom so they don't fall over.

The fly has two doors, just like the body. Sweet for couples sharing a tent.

This gear loft clips into place via decent plastic hooks. Of course, limit the weight suspended in this loft to minimal things or you'll risk a collapse. After seeing how easily one pole snapped, I am hoping that was a freak accident, but have placed extra repair sleeves in the stake bag.

This carrying case has handles and a length wise zipper. Roomy enough for winter pack ups when cold things expand and a person doesn't want to fight with a minimalist bag.

Its easy to see the designer of this four season tent appreciated wind. There are many staking points, guying points both at top and bottom. The heavy bungee cording at guying points shows the designer had significant experience with wind. This tent will stand up to bad weather because of the added flex, where for some tents there would be rigidity.

I'm really looking forward to a trail testing of this South Col tent. Lets pray for snow.

Too Much Information-A Trail Story

11:18 AM | Labels: Appalachain Trail, safety, trail story

I'd been hiking alone for awhile when I met some older gentlemen crossing a field up in New Jersey.

Contrary to what you'd think, the Appalachian Trail is not always crowded. Depends on how much rain there is and how close to roads.

It's nice to meet humans once in awhile, chat, share news.

Sometimes, though, if you've been alone awhile, you end up sharing a little too much information.

These guys wondered where I was going, how long I'd been on the trail and offered a bunch of unsolicited day-hiker type advice. Deferring to their age, feeling no threats, I assured them I would make it to Katahdin, later this summer, having hiked a good 1400 miles already.

They asked me how far I planned on heading this evening. I mentioned the next shelter's name as a possible campsite.

We said our goodbyes, I hiked on. After a couple miles, I crossed paths with another guy hiker. He knew all about me, and repeated several things I'd told the old guys. He had met them crossing the road.

Lesson learned, too much information.

Even if it seems harmless chit chat, my safety could have been jeopardized by my sharing so much with people I'd dismissed as harmless. In their continued sharing of my information with others, the wrong person could have been my camp mate.

I believe in a power I call Trailgods. They taught me a vital lesson that day.

Size of Blades or Knives in Survival Situations

9:38 AM | Labels: knife, survival shelters, survival skills, Ultralight backpacking

My Razor knife, shown above, is the only blade I've used on my long distance backpacking trips, including the Pacific Crest Trail, and thru hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Read my journals at http://trailquest.net/BRindex.html

I built this and other shelters without any tools. The bow saw shown in this photo was brought on this trip to clear blow downs on the trail leading up to this mountain hideaway so my camera man could do some filming.
It was not used to cut any limbs or branches for this debris shelter which is large enough for two.

I took a survival quiz and one of the questions I got "wrong" dealt with the size of the blade.

As a minimalist, I've learned many techniques which do not require any blade. I've analyzed my packing/hiking/shelter building skills and realized I've never used a large blade. What is the ideal length and weight of the Ideal Blade?

Its the one you have with you. Regardless.

It must be sharp. A heavy dull blade is worse ( having little value and is actually dangerous) than a razor sharp two inch knife. Whatever length you normally have with you is the one you will work with in a survival situation.

The longest outdoor knife I've ever owned has a 4 inch blade. It fits my hand. I seldom bring it because it's heavy by ultralighter's standards. I've made stoves using a small blade, cut and sewn gear using a razor knife.

When building a camp fire, don't waste time cutting firewood into lengths with a knife or blade. Two ways to deal with long logs is feed them in, or build the fire with the middle of the logs in the center of the fire.

As far as hunting and skinning animals, or self defense, the best knife is one that feels comfortable in your hand, which can not be wrested from your grasp. For me, that's a small blade. I have learned to identify edible plants which are bountiful, knowing that actual hunting in survival situations can be time and calorie consuming. More on that later.

As a chef, I use significant knives while in the kitchen. I leave them there. My minimalist ultra lighting tendencies cause me to carry a small, razor sharp tool. My skills are built knowing that's what I will have with me.

So the bottom line is to get used to carrying the knife you want to have in a survival situation.

M4040 Survival Page-Great Resourse

9:57 AM | Labels: survival skills, woman survival skills page

Check out
http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Primer.htm

for some great information. One of his pages has an assessment quiz which you can take and get scored on your personal survival skills or notions. The writer makes no apologies for style or beliefs, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.

I'm reading and surfing around , while updating and writing some new stuff for women.

The Woman's Page attached to this blog is obviously available to both genders. It deals with things I've learned in my long distance hiking journeys.

How to Buy Fleece OuterWear

8:17 PM | Labels: Fleece buying tips, Frank Ross, outdoor guide

I found this site in my search for some real explanations on the various types and weights of fleece:

Fleece Buying Guide

Its written by Frank Ross, and called Outdoor Information You Can Use.

There's a lot of other articles on that page as well, things about Hunting, fishing, gear reviews, and survival. Follow the link at the bottom of the left hand column and you will be taken to a page with more links than I have ever seen in one place for everything you can imagine for things like building homes with straw bales, making your own bleach, surviving outdoor crisis, urban survival, etc. Amazing lists.

I'm bookmarking it for future reading and research.

Other Fuels for Soda Can Stove

9:20 AM | Labels: alternative fuels, making your own outdoor gear, trail stories

After making my initial homemade fuel sticks, I've collected enough wood chips to make them using an ice cube tray. I'm really liking the results because they will be uniform in shape, be denser, and not need cutting to fit on the soda can stove bottom.
I was able to find paraffin at a thrift store, but old candles, dripped wax, or a combination of all three can be melted together as well.

I wrote the page about fuels which is linked to this blog. Of course, I didn't include the various things I burned to boost the cooking time of Esbit or hexamine tablets when supplies ran low. Once I'd get the tablet going, any peppermint candy wrappers or alcohol soaked cotton balls (used to wipe down body parts for hygiene) or maybe a pine cone would be added to give me just a little more heat. This really comes in handy when its cold out. But let me warn you. Some hiking partners object to smelling this or have "environmental issues".

To each their own.

Freedom or Safety-Food for Thought

12:04 PM | Labels: Benjamin Franklin, don't touch my junk, security

This video is so worth watching, and pondering the long term effects.
I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said" A society which will surrender its freedom in favor of security will give up both and deserves neither".

I admit 9-11 changed the way we fly. The continuing terrorism world wide is infuriating. I don't know the answer. But I do know that its incomprehensible that my daughters and grand kids may have to submit to this personal invasion.

Another great quote by B. Franklin:

"Democracy is two wolves and one lamb voting on who to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote."

I have no plans to fly in the near future.
Food for thought.

Winter Skills Page

11:03 AM | Labels: Appalachian Trail, Brawny, Winter skills

Winter is just around the corner and I'm changing some strategies to deal with upcoming adventures.

I added a new page over at my http://brawnyview/blogspot.com

blog, and entitled it Ultralight Backpacking Winter Skills.

This link should take you right there:

http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/p/ultralight-backpacking-winter-skills.html

These techniques I've learned on the Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, etc.

Although I've hiked mostly in three seasons, once you get about 8,000 feet, and especially above 10,000 feet, the mountains make their own weather. Be prepared.

Flash of White-Gun Shots

8:43 AM | Labels: hiking, hunters, safety

Today I saw a flash of white while hiking. I knew it was a white tail deer cause it was running.

Wait. How do I know it wasn't a person with a white shirt on, running?

I've heard of several accidents happening during hunting season because the eager hunter was just as sure as I was of what I saw.

Turns out a person was hanging laundry up on the clothes line. A flash of white.

A girl was taking a bathroom break, a flash of white panties.

While hiking on the Colorado Trail, suddenly shots were heard nearby, and then a bullet hit a tree. Wearing earth tones and blending in was suddenly dangerous. Not even hunting season, I guess the persons firing were just practicing. We got out our red bandannas, a bright blue sleeping pad to tie outside the pack, and called out loud, "Hello!"

There are many hiking trails which cross hunters' stomping grounds. Its very important to take inventory of your gear colors to be safe.

One morning I was skirting the lake up in Connecticut on the Appalachian Trail. I heard shots. I couldn't figure out if they were coming towards me, or away. Taking inventory, I knew I had no white on, but neither did I have red. Hike quickly, hope for the best, and sing out loud.

I was making breakfast in camp while hunters with high powered rifles watched our clearing. A big buck was roaming near us, but seems he knew the hunters would not shoot into camp. As we packed to leave, the buck eased off into the woods. We provided the screen. No shots were fired.

If you're planning a long distance hike, a weekend foray, or just a day hike, be ready for hunters. Novices are probably our biggest concern, an eager youth wanting to bag his first kill.

Keep that orange cap on, no matter what.

Celebrate Our Economy, Buy Nothing

1:26 PM | Labels: buy nothing day, economy

As minimalists, this is not hard to do. In fact, I usually only buy stuff one day a week.

Unless, as this website points out, you use electricity, burn propane, or call someone on the phone.

http://www.buynothingday.org/faq.html

Be warned, BuyNothingDay.org is a website with large colorful ads. The links on this black background site at the top has the meat of the website.

I buy stuff online, like at Amazon.com. If you're looking for a particular book or DVD, you can get good deals on almost new media. One book in particular I'm loving is a 1100 page 2007 Culinary Text book which cost $6.99, which included shipping.

Ok, back to my subject. I found this website in a free local advertiser's 100% recycled paper newspaper. I love the concept of buy nothing. How about a website on MakeDo.com?

Find something free to enjoy, stay home, play with the toys you already have, and deal with the new reality.

Watching the news, reading and listening to the "experts" I feel we've finally come to acceptance.

They say with a crisis there are four stages: denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance.

We denied the economic crisis, even our leaders denied it long after we saw the writing on the wall.

Anger has been expressed with politicians getting the boot, incumbents losing to unknown contestants.

Bargaining is still going on with stimulus packages, buy outs, hand outs, bail outs.

But, finally, even Suzie Orman, President Obama, and the news teams (take your pick) have to admit, its the new normal. Learn to love the little stuff. Acceptance.

Veterans Day Appreciation

12:46 PM | Labels: food chain, survival, Veteran's Appreciation, World War 2

Today HBO is playing the ten part series The Pacific. Executive Producer Tom Hanks does such a remarkable job. My Vietnam Veteran life partner says it is very realistic. I believe it.

If you get a chance to see this series, do it. Not only do I appreciate the sacrifice of young men on the battle field, but also the men and women who were nurses and doctors, cooks, therapists, and mothers and fathers who saw their young men go off to war. They survived the impossible.

I am not a war hawk, nor do I believe in violence as a solution. Self defense is another story. All creatures have the right to defend themselves. In a perfect world there would be no aggressors and no need for self defence. Yet nature shows us that the food chain causes prey to become stronger and predators see to it that the weak, old and sick are removed from the herd. This leaves more resources for the rest, and preserves the species.

Is this how war fits into human civilization? Especially in times of economic crisis, perhaps we revert back to the food chain model of preservation. Perhaps civilization becomes optional.

One saying I've lived by is "don't be big and strong, be hard to find". When that doesn't work, be prepared to defend yourself and those you love.

Thank you Veterans for all your sacrifice, your time, heart and soul.

A Sleeping Bag Trail Story

4:43 PM | Labels: Brawny, Pacific Crest Trail, sleeping bags, trail stories

All this talk about sleeping bags brings to mind a couple of stories.

Preparing to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, I bought a Junior, or youth synthetic bag, rated 20 degrees. It fit, a snug fit. I would get in it, bend my knees, zip it up and stretch out. Tight. It fit my newly divorced-budget at the time, and I determined not to let that stop me.

The first season, 825 miles from Sonora Pass to Crater Lake, the bag did wonderful. Wonderful enough to take this bag, weighing just two pounds out in the spring to finish up the Pacific Crest Trail. I would be out for 5 months, and it never occurred to me that it was fairly trashed, and had lost most of its loft already.
While hiking through the desert I didn't notice any issues. But once into the High Sierras, I was freezing every night. This was early June, there was still snow banks at 10,000 feet.
I was using my Packless system, so determined to buy something at the next trail town, Kennedy Meadows, and strap it to the pack.
Within a few days we arrived at Kennedy Meadows, and I bought an old army blanket from the owner of the store there. I cut it down with my razor (5 gram) knife, sewed it into a mummy bag liner and carried it along with the sleeping bag.
The moral of the story? One way or another you will get a good sleeping bag.
My hiking partner sent me my fleece liner so that I could ditch the heavy, over 2 pound army blanket. With this combination, I finished in Canada on September 17th.
You can read my trail journals which are linked on my home page at:
http://www.trailquest.net/BRindex.html

I have all my gear lists for the trails as well, too numerous to list here.

Happy shopping.

How to Buy a Sleeping Bag

5:00 PM | Labels: how to buy a sleeping bag, sleeping bags, ultralight gear

I watched Oprah the other day as they prepared to go camping in Yosemite.

It was hard to image she had never gone camping in her life. Ever.

So, in preparation, off she and Gail go to REI to buy stuff. The camera crew comes as well, and they look at tents (they end up with a state of the art pop up camper) and then they look at sleeping bags.

Now I know the show was not really instructional, but more an entertainment and message to blacks: get out more!

Nothing was said about down versus synthetic bags, men or women's sizing, temperature ratings, or care of this major purchase. Of course, Oprah can afford anything she wants, and it appears she and Gail both chose by color only. The sleeping bags looked very fluffy, so I'm guessing an upper end power fill goose down bag rated about 10 degrees. I believe Oprah's was a Big Agnes. I don't recall them mentioning Gail's brand name.

Anyways, I thought I'd offer a little insight into my experiences buying bags.

First off, get one that fits, more like a glove than an over sized sweatshirt. The body must heat all the air space in the bag so the closer the fit the less air space being warmed. I prefer a mummy style bag over a rectangular bag for this reason.

If its too tight, you'll be cramped and end up stiff in the morning.

I always suggest a 30 degree bag for general use. A twenty degree bag is over kill for late spring into fall weather. A forty degree bag means bringing warm clothing in all but low elevations summer camping.

Most bag ratings are optimistic. Many people, women in particular, say they sleep cold.

Sure, a bedtime snack of nuts and jerky will help you sleep warm because of the extra calories, but having a thirty degree bag makes sense.

If you decide to go winter camping, take a fleece liner for your bag, or invest in an ultralight quilt for a topper. I've used a 40 degree synthetic quilt (weighing 16 ounces) over my 30 degree down bag (weighing 24 ounces) for winter camping with great results.

When choosing a bag, spend a little extra money for a high quality bag. You can and should wash it after a lot of use, to restore the loft. Body oils penetrate the bag lining which causes the feathers to clump, which makes the down shift and cause cold spots.

Both synthetic and down bags benefit from washing after several years. Wash in mild detergent, being sure to get all the soap out. A front loading wash machine works great. Then, put a clean tennis shoe in the dry with the bag and tumble to near dry. Follow manufacturers recommendations.

I've always followed the four layers rule for protecting my sleeping bag from moisture like rain and snow when backpacking. Line your stuff bag with a plastic bag. Stuff the sleeping bag into this, twist the plastic bag shut, then close the stuff sack completely. Place into the pack, preferably not at the bottom, and use a good pack cover.

Protect your sleeping bag as you do your life. It is your main defense against hypothermia.

If you follow the 4-Layers rule above, the decision to buy synthetic or power down fill (800-850) will be based upon:

1-Economics. A superior bag will cost several hundred dollars, but will last many long trails. A good synthetic bag can be had for just over a hundred.

2-Weight. Ultralight backpackers will opt for power fill because not only is the weight incredibly low, it packs down so it can fit in a smaller pack, saving additional weight on the pack itself. If you pack it tight, remember to immediately pull it from the stuff sack when ever possible to restore loft. Shake it out, hang it up.

3-Location. Some fear getting a down bag wet, making it "useless", listening to the adage that a synthetic bag is warm when wet. Not true. A damp down bag will dry with body heat. So, on the wet Appalachian Trail people think synthetic, and on the Pacific Crest Trail they're more inclined to down. Once I changed from synethetic to down, I never went back. Again 4 layers.

4-Color. I always chose earth colors because of the stealth and safety factor.

A sleeping bag is one of the greatest investments you'll make in outdoor gear selection. Try it on if you can before purchasing, and be prepared for sticker shock. Remember, with proper care, they will last a long time.

Olive Oil Works Wonders

11:17 AM | Labels: grandma's widsom, home remedies, olive oil

I was researching Olive Oil Benefits and among other sites, ran across this one:
http://www.grandmas-wisdom.com/index.html

I haven't found a photo of Grandma yet, but read about some home remedies and also olive oil. One interesting remedy used on Grandpa was raisins soaked in gin for arthritis knee pain. Eat 9 raisins every day, and the swelling went down. Interesting, and worth a try.

I use olive oil for a skin moisturizer, hair conditioner, and cooking. Usually canola oil is in my pantry for saute and baking. Olive oil is great for making salad dressing with apple vinegar and spices. I carry a small bottle of olive oil for baking on the trail with the slow burner soda can stove. It adds welcome calories, flavor, and what chefs call good "mouth feel".

Other benifits of extra virgin olive oil are that it keeps my curly hair from getting frizzy in humid weather, adds body to cheap lotions, and makes a great all around skin moisturizer.

Today I read that it prevents tumors from growing in mice exposed to UV Rays.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil isn't the cheapest oil in the cooking aisle. But as a beauty secret, its very inexpensive. Compare the prices of hair and skin products and see how far a 32 ounce bottle of olive oil compares.

I love a product that can be used in many ways and is environment friendly.

Natures gift to us, no chemicals, no cancer causing additives, olive oil has been used around the globe.

Eureka Spit Fire Ultralight Tent-gear review

9:14 AM | Labels: Brawny, Eureka Spitfire Tent Review, how to pack up in the rain

This sub 3 pound double wall tent is easy to pitch. Even though 10 stakes are included with the package, it really only needs 6. The other 4 are for serious winds, or spares. The fly is silverish gray, the floor is brown, good stealth colors.
I am impressed with the workmanship, extra features like gear pockets, top fly vent,access zipper to close that vent from inside the tent, extra stakes, and serious straps and buckles to last as long as the heavier 70 denier fabric would.

The side entrance is my favorite tenting design. Also, this particular design makes it a quick pitch: stake out the foot and head ends (one stake each), then get out the shock corded poles, prepare by alligning to form arches, put each end into its proper gromet at base, and clip the body of the tent into place.
Its spacious for me, at 5 foot 2.If you're over 6 foot 2 inches, it could be a little snug.
Next, unroll the fly, and making sure the zipper door is on the same side (and upside right) as the tent body, place on top. The cool buckles allow you to clip this right on at the staking loops in 4 places, then stake out the vestibule. So far I've used only 4 stakes. But, just in case it gets windy, I put in two more at shoulder level.

Stowing my LED light and watch in the side gear pocket was cool. During the night I could easily find either. I slept warm and comfortable and had no condensation.

The Spitfire did perfectly in the rain, although I had to get out and re-anchor the foot stake. If that pulls out, the foot bed falls inward. Next time the ground is that soft, I'll place a rock on top the stake.

Dropping the tent in the rain is not hard.
First, take the stakes out, allowing the poles to fall down. Then, reaching under the fly (leave the fly on top to protect the body of the tent from getting soaked) I unhook the clips and pull the poles out. After collapsing the poles, I place them in the plastic bag. Then, beginning at the head end, I roll the whole tent as one, keeping the body covered by the fly, folding under so it was the same length as the poles. This keeps the water from pooling, and the whole outfit could fit neatly into the tent bag.

I am quite happy with this double wall tent, and feel that for warmth, weight to space ratio, condensation control, packablity and value it can't be beat. The various construction details shows they thought of nearly everything. I am going to add a small staking loop to the bottom of the large side of the door fly, so that I can stake it out seperately , providing a small covered vestibule. Otherwise, it either rolls up all the way, to provide maximum ventilation, or is zippered completly shut. Adding this one more staking point gives that large door one more position for gear protection in light drizzle, etc.

The Gift of Fear-A Book Review

12:45 PM | Labels: Gavin deBecker, Gift of Fear, survival skills

I watched the episode on Oprah a few years back that featured the author, Gavin deBecker, and his exceptional work The Gift of Fear.

His book was published in 1997, and tells many true stories which demonstrate his principles. This is a book dealing with personal relationships as well as management.

One of the most surprising theories is that our intuition warns us well in advance of any violence. Unlike wild animals, humans will try to dismiss these warnings, especially if acting upon them would be construed as impolite. I obtained a copy of the book, which I highly recommend, and incorporated his findings into my strategies for surviving on the road and in strange or new locations.

I looked up this book at Wikipedia to see what they posted, and copied these 7 Pre-Incident Indicators, to give you a taste of the good advice and lessons in this book. No doubt many people can look back on their lives and remember when these indicators were present before a bad turn of events.

"PINS (Pre-Incident Indicators)

1-Forced Teaming. This is when a person tries to pretend that he has something in common with a person and that they are in the same predicament when that isn't really true.

2-Charm and Niceness. This is being polite and friendly to a person in order to manipulate him or her.

3-Too many details. If a person is lying they will add excessive details to make themselves sound more credible.

4-Typecasting. An insult to get a person who would otherwise ignore one to talk to one.

5-Loan Sharking. Giving unsolicited help and expecting favors in return.

6-The Unsolicited Promise. A promise to leave someone alone when none was asked for, this usually means they won't leave the person alone.

7-Discounting the Word “No”. Refusing to accept rejection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gift_of_Fear

Gavin deBecker works with individuals as well as corporations. His website is
https://www.gavindebecker.com/

I believe as society faces worsening challenges, we must protect ourselves by predicting and preventing personal injuries.

New Hobo Gear Page

7:04 AM | Labels: alternative gear, Brawny, hobo backpacking stove, ultralight gear

My http://brawnyview.blogspot.com/

has a new page added, The Hobo Series. On that page I have embedded five different videos I have made for my

http://www.youtube.com/user/brawny03

http://www.youtube.com/user/brawny03 channel.

My first project was an ultralight wood burning stove made from a tin can.I used simple tools: a hammer, a regular screw driver, and some heavy work gloves.

When I completed the stove, I found it only weighed 3.5 ounces. When I used it on the Foothills Trail, I did not need to bring fuel, a pot support, or windscreen. This was a good trade off in terms of weight.

Because it did rain a little, I had to select my fuel from branches that were off the ground. Once the fire is going, it is easy to maintain indefinitely. This is really handy for folks that love endless piping hot cups of coffee, and a simple campfire which takes little fuel.

You can keep this stove system in a plastic bag which is then placed into a ditty bag. I found it to be very useful.

First Influences-Tom Brown the Tracker

10:23 AM | Labels: Pacific Crest Trail, survival skills, The Tracker, Tom Brown, trails

I can remember growing up reading Tom Brown's The Tracker.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brown_(naturalist)

His influence is still felt today when I'm breaking new trail, trying to retrace my steps, or watching for trail sign. I take deep breaths and recognize the human smells of feces before I even near the trail head. A human camped here a day or two ago. The smell would dissipate in this dry air quickly.

I remember reading how he would get into the mind of the creature he was tracking, would watch for variations in depth or spacing of tracks. When I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail we could tell by the tracks how heavy the load must be of the person ahead of us. A small deep footprint would indicate a heavy load. A long stride would indicate in a hurry. Long thin lines would indicate they are letting the poles drag and drinking water, or perhaps, reading their guide book.

Sometimes, at trail intersections, the meandering prints would indicate the same bewilderment I was feeling when the guide book was nebulous in its description of the way forward.

I loved reading about Tom Browns early adventures with his boyhood friend who also learned not to fear the elements. It is important to adapt with alertness to our invironment, avoiding fear and panic.

Tom wrote about stalking deer, moving only when they were feeding. This is a long painstaking adventure. One must never be in a hurry to achieve such skills. Its easy to give up when things don't go well. Our society teaches immediate gratification and one must look at the big picture often to avoid discouragement.

Tom Brown has written other books and has an outdoor skills school. I've met folks who attended his schools and find that fascinating.

This last week I have been bushwacking and connecting two favorite spots in this corner of my neck of the forest. Its interesting because of all the ridges and "hallars", abandoned logging roads, creeks and blowdowns. At one point I came upon a rock duct I'd built weeks ago which showed I'd emerged from the gully much further east than I'd expected to. I pulled out my pensil and paper, made notes, drew references on the map, then continued. The trail made a horseshoe, mission accomplished. I now have a loop trail which connects the points I love to visit.

Each day I walk this brand new loop trail, I see slight impressions from my bushwacking, and think again of Tom Brown, the Tracker. It would take a dedicated survivalist to see my trail signs, which is my goal as well. Never walk over the same place too many times unless you want to be easy to follow.

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