Hobo Sterno Type Stove-Directions

12:15 PM | Labels: , , ,

This stove weighs only 8 ounces, yet it gives complete autonomy in fuel supply.

All you need is a small tin can with no rough edges.

Melt old candle wax or paraffin in the can, adding 100% cotton balls for the wick and combustible fuel.

As the fuel depletes, add cardboard, other cotton balls and bits of candle or paraffin to replenish.

Just be sure to have some cotton exposed which is soaked in wax. Pure cotton will not be hot enough to melt the wax and it will just burn out. You can't light wax without a wick. Both of them work wonders together.

The directions for making your own wax alternative fuel sticks is found in this blog, on January 23, 2011

I love this hobo stove because it is so easy to make, an ideal project for scout troops.

It utilizes materials easy to find and recycles materials.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown

Dual Survival-A Stategic Lesson

11:26 AM | Labels: , ,

Last night we watched another episode of Dual Survival.
This time Dave and Cody were in the jungles of Belize heading for the coast.
As night approached, we saw both men preparing their shelter and bed.
Cody built a bed off the ground, under the leaf thatched hut they made together.
Dave built a hammock. Both agreed it was important to get off the ground where snakes, poisonous spiders and other night creatures would more easily hinder their sleep. Of course, those creatures can climb, but are less likely to do so.
With 40% of the canopy in the jungle being vines, they showed us how to utilize this valuable resource.
Both had unique ways of trying to make fire. Unfortunately neither was successful the first night.
Cody tried by using a slice of rock and striking it with the steal blade, sending sparks into fine dry tinder.
Dave used the silver half globe of a flash light to focus a tiny sun beam to try tinder located in the center where the bulb had been. Not enough sun in the jungle, but this method did produce a coal and subsequent fire on the beach once they arrived.
After the jungle, they reach the savannah. While bushwhacking through the Savannah they eventually found two boa constrictors mating. They each picked one up, talked about the future of snakes and decided to let them both go so that they could continue the species. Dave is such a hunter, but did not want to kill them because he said he wasn't hungry enough. I loved that. This is strategic planning. By letting them live, and continue the mating process, they thought about the big picture.
Once they arrived at the ocean, they found coconuts, an iguana, and containers. Dave shows us how to capture a treed iguana via noose attached to long pole , coaching Cody as he snags it.
Cody also shows us how to open and extract coconut milk.
If you get a chance to watch these guys, you'll be rewarded with much entertainment, but mostly fantastic lessons in survival.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown

Keeping Watch-A Book Review

9:09 AM | Labels: , , ,

Published in 2003, this riveting novel tells the story of a Vietnam Veteran who, after nearly a decade of self destructive behavior post war, become the savvy rescuer of abused women and children.
His tour of duty is described so vividly and with such candor that those of us who personally know and love a Vietnam Veteran can finally feel some of that terror that most will not speak of.
There are horrors our hero performs as well, he is not an innocent. Yet the true warrior can not live in a civilization as ours for long without action.
He uses his skills, patrolling the perimeter, the greens of nightmare jungles revisiting even his waking moments.
He moves through the cities, adopting a camouflage of normalcy so profound no one will remember his passing. Always avoiding the novelties of color or action, few witnesses need be feared.
We meet the second main character, a boy of 12, and see how well the author, Laurie R. King, understands the love hate relationship of a victim with their abuser. Although the father does atrocious things, his son craves his approval, hating and loving his father, and then later, his rescuer.
The plot is well developed. Our minds are treated to delicious details of both war and civilization. There are strong women, smart use of technology. Totally believable and an excellent read.
Lessons in survival can be gleaned from the pages as well. The hunted is always alert, covering tracks, waiting patiently. The hunter must think like his prey, without showing his hand.
Laying a plan for action is better than jumping too soon, or assuming facts without any basis. Blending in, not standing out.
I highly recommend the novel, and will look for more of her work.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown

Scanning for Safety-a Bear Story

9:18 AM | Labels: , , , ,

I have this method of scanning when I'm hiking or backpacking. It really doesn't matter whether its on a long hike, bushwhacking or even in town.
I first learned it in driver's ed. They teach you to scan continuously: left, right, rear view mirror, up, down, complete range of periphial vision. Movement is what catches your eye even more than color. Both help remarkably.
Hearing helps, one reason I only listen to music with one ear, and only on the tried and true four mile mountain trail used for morning exercise.
One day on the Pacific Crest Trail I was hiking alone when suddenly, 15 yards ahead, a creature began emerging from a big tree stump. A furry brown head, with a black mask of color around the eyes. He looked really sleepy, and my initial reaction was to stop in my tracks. That's one huge raccoon, I thought. But, the animal kept coming, and I realized it was a bear! I stood there, watching, not certain what would happen next.
Seemed the bear was trying to ignore me, and once free of his crib, jumped onto the trail and bounded away.
I paused. What to do next, my trail led in the direction he ran. I gave him 5 minutes head start, and continued hiking, singing softly.
That night some trail friends showed up and we all camped together. Alexa said she'd seen a bear "scared to Jesus".
Coulda been my bear.
I try not to make a lot of noise while hiking so that I see more wild life. If I know a bear, especially a mother and cub, are up ahead, I will sing, or purposely hit rocks with my hiking poles.
Rangers have told me most bad encounters come from surprising a bear.
If you want to make noise without talking and exerting too much energy, simply tie a metal lid from the cook set to the handle of your hiking pole.
If you've ever heard the bear bells they sell at National Park Stores, they sound like birds on the trail. You can't even hear them near water, a prime location for feeding wildlife.
When hiking a winding trail with bear, the automatic noise making of metal on metal will alert bear and prevent unwanted encounters.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown

Alternative Fuel Discovery

6:07 AM | Labels: , ,

I made fuel sticks using dry wood particles and paraffin (old candle wax). You can see the video of this project at my YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/user/brawny03





And, I also have experimented with the cotton ball and petroleum jelly as a fire starter. I especially loved how quickly a spark from the flint and blade caught. Just two strokes. A video of that is also at my channel at YouTube.















I wondered: how about using cotton balls with paraffin? If it works, they would be cheap, easily made at home, and transportable in a simple Ziploc bag.




Place two cotton balls in each compartment of an ice cube tray. This is the same tray I used to make my homemade fuel sticks. Next, melt wax and pour over the cotton balls, thoroughly soaking them.




Allow to cool, and remove from tray. At this time, before they are totally hard, you can separate them into single balls.

I did the time test after the tablets were completely cold and hard.

One cotton ball (half of a cube from the tray) burned for 12 minutes and created a goodly amount of heat. I used the bottom side of my slow burner soda can stove.

These alternative fuel tablets could be used to start a survival fire in damp conditions. Much easier to handle than petroleum jelly, they are just one more option for the survival kit.

Use paraffin, or an old candle stub, easily found at thrift stores.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown

A City Under Seige In Modern Times-Survival Lessons for Today

6:43 AM | Labels: , ,


"People are healthy, in spite of everything, for no one eats animal fat anymore, nor meat, nor cheese--meals are made without eggs, without milk, onions, meat, vegetables. We eat a precious mix of wild imagination."
--from the http://www.friends-partners.org/bosnia/surintro.html

Sarajevo Survival Guide is an unlikely web search for the modern American Survivalist.
I found it by scanning down the very useful links page at
http://www.frank-ross-outdoor-info.com/survival/do-it-yourself.php
In short informative paragraphs, the author details daily living and survival techniques for a city besieged by tanks, mortars and military in April 1992.
Simple ways of using and collecting rain water, stretching one meal into six, utilizing various apartments for the resource it provided are just a few of the examples of information supplied there.
Its an example of what can happen if your city becomes a target, for whatever reason. Things like the value of money, and various forms of documentation being used as a form of currency are discussed in a matter of fact way.
The fate of the Zoo, where only two ponies survived is disturbing. Animals were used as training targets for snipers, the website says. Others were left to die from lack of food and care. Of course, people are more important, and this is not surprising. A breakdown of normal civilization and cultural sensitivities comes with war.
The entertainment factor, exercise and fellowship detailed is almost tongue in cheek. Rock Climbing is replaced with bed sheets facilitating movements through the city balconies, war recipe exchanges, trading collections of spent artillery shells.
Reading this website is a lesson for our day. We seldom hear about real news that matters. Its a given that our attention span is short.
I'm reminded of the four Cs which survival expert on Dual Survival spoke of: containers, cordage, cover, cutting tool.These four were very important in that city's survival as well.

"The besieged city defends itself by culture and thus survives. Groups and individuals create whatever they used to create before the siege. In impossible circumstance they produce films, write books, publish newspapers...,"

a final note of hope.


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown

Stop Obsession Now

11:25 AM | Labels: , , ,

One of the first questions I'd hear upon entering a trail shelter, setting up camp, or even going into a chat room is:

What's your base weight?

another version of this is

How much does your pack weigh? or Whats your big three weigh?

Some people know how annoying this can be. Or, they don't have a light pack, just hike monstrous miles, so they'll ask

How many miles did you do today?

Now, I am an ultra lighter. I love paring grams and minimizing baggage. I'm five foot two, weigh about 115 . So, I'm trying to keep it down for my health and safety. I can hike away from trouble, get into town when needed, not suffer stress fractures in feet, prevent knee damage, and have more room for food in the pack.
And I understand why older folks would want to be ultralight. It feels good.
Plus I'm fascinated with alternative gear and methods. I've done my big mile days: Getting into a cruise mode and just keep going.

But I'm sick of the obsession: numbers that just don't belong in the wilderness experience.
I don't care what some one is carrying. Just have enough so you don't have to beg borrow or steal from someone else.

I'd like to suggest a totally ridiculous idea. How about we ask, with real concern for the answer:
What did you see today?

How was your hike today?

Then, how about we listen to the amazing description, the descriptions that light up the eyes, spark the enthusiasm, and restore the passion for our land?

Sounds crazy, I know. A low carbon way of hiking. Peaceful and sharing.

How about anyone talking stupid numbers gets thrown into a lake, yes a real, bona fide lake.

One of my favorite quotes, found in a trail register at a water cache on the Pacific Crest Trail:
In the end you find, no one wins, and the race was only with yourself.

and this I started adding to it. I don't even know where it came from:

So, take the path of your own chosing, and be not dismayed if no one leads, or follows.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Comments(0)
Posted by Unknown
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)