The-Atlantic-thefemalesurvivalist

A two-part video series of Mountainman Mike setting up his solar panels at his three acre retreat in southern Wyoming is finally done. From pulling the components from the box to connecting the last cables, Mike very patiently describes the process.

I was very impressed with his inexpensive basic power system. It allowed both of us to maintain our batteries on our laptops. He was able to keep his cell phone charged as well, enabling to touch base with his parents living in Colorado.

Mike understood my work, both the filming and writing aspects dealing with survival techniques and off the grid living.

Come Thursday I'll be off line for awhile. I'll be backpacking for ten days and will update as soon as I have wifi again.

Many thanks to all my great friends who encourage me to write and keep on keeping on. From Backpackers, day hikers, survivalists and people heading out on a road trip, you all make my day by coming on by.

Among my newest friends is Mountainman Mike.
To see what he's into take a look at the thread called: Year End Report. You'll see a real underground bunker/storm shelter way up in the Rocky Mountains.

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=207664


After hiking a spell with my good friend Flo, I might go to a Rendezvous in Encampment, Wyoming. Maybe we'll "dress up" a little.

I made this tepee several years ago. Its been used in several base camps in Georgia and right outside Yellowstone National Park. Youtube had a problem with the background music and suggested I swap out for some of theirs. Well, it totally covered my voice and the information I was trying to get across. There are captions, though, so its not a total loss.

While this shelter does not have a floor, it keeps out bugs and mice because the no see um netting
is 15 inches long. I fold it to the inside and set random pieces of gear along the netting.
Some folks would think you'd fold it to the outside, but that wouldn't be nearly as effective.

I plan to use this tepee to base camp this summer.  With 100 square feet (area of a circle is radius squared times pi) There's lots of space for sleeping, out of rain writing, researching and fun. I have cooked and burned small candles inside this structure. The heat rises, eventually necessitating the door being kept open due to some smoke issues. Its really amazing at night, though, when a tiny tea candle is burning. Looks like a glowing cone.

The value of a no floor structure is that one can cook or leave muddy gear on the earth while stretching a tarp for the sleeping area. The structure is lighter and more versatile.  If you must suspend it from a branch that has a few rocks or roots underneath, no problem. Just stake the shelter and enjoy nature's furniture.

If you'd like to read about building a mountain retreat by hand and enjoy a photo essay of the work in progress, check out this link: Survivalist in Action


So often, people post theories and ideas, defending them to the last, yet they have very little experience. Mountain man Mike shares his experiences, his motivation and inspiration with his readers at http://Survivalistboards.com . He has taken the time to write at length in various threads the pros and cons of bunkers and guns, city vs. wilderness life  and demonstrate his underground bunker.

The checklist posted in the first link for a Defensible Survival Retreat is important. At least half of the preparation for a retreat involves the location and proper mindset necessary to making it a sustainable community.