Hobo Sterno Type Stove-Directions

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.

Dual Survival-A Stategic Lesson

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.

Keeping Watch-A Book Review

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.

Scanning for Safety-a Bear Story

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.

Alternative Fuel Discovery

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.

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

"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.

Stop Obsession Now

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.

Make Hard Tack

This website has tons of other do-it-yourself projects.

I've made and used hard tack before. Its very easy to do, cheap and packable. Vary the flavors with spices or sweetner for some varitey.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hard-Tack/

Its also fun to read the comments below. It will give you other ideas and insight.

There Are No Rules-Just Owner's Manuals

It's been said there are two immutables, death and taxes.

I'm hoping for reincarnation.

We all know rich bastards who know all the loopholes and pay no taxes.

John Boswell's book, What to Say to Get Your Way

is full of handy little phrases to soften your first line in conversations. Especially where a difference of opinion can escalate, where a business deal could be messed up, or job related performance reviews, saying the wrong thing can loose your audience.

Published in 2010, the mood of the book is reconciliation, compromise, and a tad wimpy.

Its a fast read, some of the 146 pages simply contain two phrases, like:

"Don't say: "I hope I've helped." Say: "I'm sorry I can't be more helpful."

or

"Don't say: "I feel your pain." Say: "I can't imagine how you must feel."

Really?

Please. Sometimes we just need to talk. Others phrases make sense, like

"Don't Say: "Stop being so critical." Say: "I feel like I'm being attacked."

I can handle that. It says, never tell your interviewer to hire you, they won't regret it. That works.

But as Ecclesiastes writes: to every thing there is a season.

May I add,

A time to back down, a time to assert.

A time to repair, a time to throw it the hell away.

A time to buy local, a time to buy online.

Successful survivalists are quick to anticipate and adapt. We know there are no rules, every thing can change with a single breath or lack of breath.

A new version of Windows could come out tomorrow, a new Ipad, Ipod or or other Icontraption.

My new mantra:

There are no rules, just owner's manuals. If you get stuck, read.

Stick of Butter

I've been asked, "Why do this to yourself"

Why would anyone force themselves to get out daily, rain or shine, snow and ice, enthused or not, and hike in the mountains?

There's a bunch of reasons, the prevailing one: so I don't turn into a stick of butter.

We all have heard the adage, if you don't use it you lose it.

I don't want to loose any bone mass, any muscle mass, any will to survive.

If anything, I quest for more strength in all areas.

Fresh air is good for moods. Some people become seasonally depressed when there is less sunlight. Combat this syndrome, whether it's real or not, with a good hour jaunt in the woods. I firmly believe many people are diagnosed with syndromes they don't possess just to get them on medication. Fresh air and exercise is a cure worth trying.

I have my most profound thoughts while hiking. Why that is I couldn't tell you. My trail friend, Alexa, on the Pacific Crest Trail used to carry a little notebook with her. Suddenly, she'd stop, pull out the pocket notebook and scribble away.

I tried that. Once my brain saw the lined paper, all genius left me.

My solution is to mull the thoughts, and memorize key points.

As soon as I walk in the door, I recall and write down anything with true depth. Or, more likely, whatever I can remember.

Virgin snow is fun. A lot of that around here. I learn to track, reason out why some splots go just tree to tree, tire tracks backing into the neighbor's yard, rare human print.

If you ever wonder about this blog, maybe a temporary lull, perhaps I had a town day and all brain matter was used up surviving traffic, lines at Walmart, Thrift store bantering, and librarians.

I Shouldn't Be Alive Series Review

Last night we watched two episodes of this thought provoking series.

The first involved a man who decided to take a really decent inflatable raft down the Colorado River, into the Grand Canyon. He equipped his boat with all the essentials, wore a wet suit and life vest. He put in at Lee's ferry, and told his friend to call for help if he didn't make the destination by the appointed date.

He went solo, which is not an issue if you're experienced and take the river seriously.

He did so well, that after passing Lava Flow without incident, he took off the wet suit and relaxed. Little did he know, his adventure had just begun.

One thing led to another and he finds himself on the bank, drenched, without any gear (flipped and lost it to the river ).

Its winter. As the reenactment continues, we see the big white man fire, no signage for helicopters to sight, and growing depression.

This would be a good time for the two fire survival technique, and creating a huge S.O.S out of rocks. He stayed next to the river, a smart, important decision.

After a week, he is found. His raft ended up 20 miles down stream, alerting rangers of someone in need of rescue.

The second episode dealt with two mountain climbers who fall into a crevasse while descending Mt. Rainier. Seems they did everything right. I was impressed by the strength and ingenuity of the less experienced mountaineer who survived. Sadly, his best friend did not, but his body was recovered.

While our survivor climbs out of a 80 foot crevasse, he admits his inexperience, yet continously makes safe, cautious decisions. He feels his dead friend is coaching him all the way. I learned a lot about mountaineering watching this reinactment, among them the value of the ice anchoring systems, or ice screws, the value of ropes and various slings, of partnering and chosing north facing slopes when possible for descents.

Not that I am going winter mountain climbing any time soon!

I don't criticize or judge any "mistakes" adventurers make in these true stories. Instead, learning and filing away these lessons, I think of alternative actions which might come in handy.

Free Range Kids-Check It Out

"Children, like chickens, deserve a life outside the cage. The overprotected life is stunting and stifling, not to mention boring for all concerned."

From http://freerangekids.wordpress.com

Interesting views on raising kids in today's crazy world.

Maybe its just all the crazy getting a lot of media coverage.

Thru Hiking Pages

A group of hikers met Cobweb and Me near Muir Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail and took this photo. They recognized my trail name, Brawny. I had my packless system, complete with ice ax strapped to the outside. This stretch was 192 miles without a resupply because I left Kennedy Meadows, summitted Mt. Whitney, returned to Crab Tree Meadows, and lived off the supplies in my pack until I reached Vermilion Valley Resort.

Trudging through snow, cooking on a soda can stove, and layering all my clothing, I learned many things. My journal can be read at

http://trailquest.net/BRindex.html

I've been writing a lot about planning a long trail lately at my

http://brawnyview.blogspot.com

January is the month many hikers start getting serious about gear, itineraries, money and partners.

I've spent many months living out of a backpack, learning stuff from others, keeping my eyes and ears open. Mostly keeping my mind open to new ideas.

With every thing you see, with every story you hear, there are potential lessons to be learned.

Many things I've learned the hard way, sometimes creating personal hardships that next time around, I could avoid.

Writing about long distance hiking allows me to share these lessons.

My purpose is to share with those who can read with an open mind and file away useful information. The greatest piece of gear is your brain. It will hold gigabytes of useful information, but it must be loaded onto your hard drive first.

Happy Trails.

What Kind of Active Are You?

Proactive people anticipate need and take charge of the situation. The are change oriented, and make things happen. This really comes in handy when things are going downhill. They are the heroes that step up to the plate, invent, leave legacies,and build the life of their dreams. If their ship doesn't come in, they pirate one.

Reactive people react to things around them. Its a victim's role, a defensive position, blaming other people and circumstances for the chosen course of reaction. Wikipedia says a reactive response is due to stressful stimulus or emotional upset. To turn this around, a person has to start taking responsibility for their life, safety, and well being.

Interactive people compromise and try to involve others in decision making, believing in majority rule. They're good adapters, and productive. This is good for communities, but the independent thinker can be left out entirely.

Inactive people do nothing.

I read about Michael Sherwood, a retired dentist in Nelson County, Virginia who initiated a dental clinic, volunteering his time to make life better for those around him. Others began pitching in, donating money, time, space, an old trailer for office space. The Interactive people of the community are so important in making the world a better place.

The reactive people may take advantage of the resource. Maybe they will complain about possible loss of income for other dentists. Maybe they will worry about bad outcomes and legal obstacles. They will voice an opinion.

Then there's the inactive. They just plain don't do anything.

A huge thanks to all the proactive people who are trying to make the world a better place. They are proactive for their families, planning ahead for disasters, proactive in business, creating jobs and finding better ways to do things, proactive at work, initiating change when necessary.

Independent thinkers are proactive.

A big thanks to Dr. Michael Sherwood.

Two Fires Winter Survival Skills

Eight inches of snow fell in North East Georgia, so of course I had to get out and bushwhack up to the favorite overhang and test this concept.

I'd always heard about the two fires. Instead of one big white man fire whereby you burn your front off and freeze your behind, or visa versa, you create two small safe fires. The trick is to build the fires with a sitting/sleeping place between them. The whole thing is done with a safe zone, so that the fires can not escape or threaten to overwhelm the person tucked between them.

In reality, this is not hard. If you were sleeping near one big fire, you would know how to do this. Clear all dry leaves, possible natural fuels, or gear from close proximity. If possible, surround the fire with large stones, creating the fire ring. This is very important if the ground is not perfectly level. As the branches burn in half, they can break and roll off the fire onto surrounding area.

As the video shows, its not hard at all to maintain two small fires. Of course, a great bed of coals goes a long way in warming and securing long term comfort.

A person can eat snow if they are warm enough. But, its pretty nice to drink warm, if not hot, beverages in winter conditions.

The survival can, with plastic sheeting, matches, petroleum jelly fire starter, a knife, compass, and other treats is always nice when playing in the woods.

Revealing Quote by Millionaire Karl Rabeder

Reader's Digest published an article on Austrian millionaire Karl Rabeder, written by E. Jane Dickson.

He was born into a poor family, but with a gift for business, he grew his wealth through his own insight and determination. He admits we buy stuff to make us happy, it doesn't make us happy, yet we continue to buy. The clincher, the quote I want to share is:

"... and it makes us easy to rule. We are like sheep with a barking dog to the left of us, making us anxious about the global financial crisis and the fact that we could lose our jobs, and another barking dog to the right, warning us about the need for expensive insurance in case we fall ill. So we work for the future without ever being able to live for the day."

He says that's how he lived his life for 25 years.

But, now he's downsizing. Selling it all to live in a hut in the Alps. Its just him, his wife left years ago.

He plans to live on less than $1,200.

I love it. I love that this "revelation" is published in a widely read, conservative, and well respected magazine.

This crazy stuff we're expected to buy, designer this and that, crap that is mass produced in China with no useful purpose is not making us happy and in fact makes us easier to rule.

Downsizing is the key to freedom.

Thigh Holster Demonstration-Use at Your Own Risk

This clip shows how to wear a thigh holster. Directions are given in this blog on January 3.

Of course, my pistol is not loaded. If you chose to make this holster, or to wear one, please be extremely careful. Having a pistol strapped to my thigh would take some getting used to.

If I was going out, had a concealed weapons permit, and chose to carry a firearm, I believe I'd be wearing pants.

That's just me.

All information in this blog is at a Use At Your Own Risk. Practice at home any new skills before trying them in public.

Glock Firing Power

The noise and firepower of a glock is amazing. In this video I react to the first shot, then recover and continue filming.

My life partner created this shooting range which is at the end of a natural opening to a "hollar", a sort of valley walled in on three sides. In this hollar, all rounds are spent in a safe manner and can not travel or harm anyone.

Filming a practice session allows one to see if you're flinching, squinting, or doing anything which would endanger or impede hitting the target.

I was able to watch my instructor fire three types of firearms. I think the semi automatic Ruger is the weapon for me because its used for self defence at short range, especially until I can control my shock reaction to the deafening sound.

How to Make A Thigh Holster

I've been working on my firearms skills. A video over at you tube showed how a woman could carry a pistol while wearing a dress.

So, I made a thigh holster with leather and hardware. I used the original one as a pattern, tracing around it and adding half an inch for seam allowance.

Its a fairly simple procedure. Once I get the video up at You tube demonstrating how to wear it, and safety precautions, I'll post that here as well.

Failed Test Creates Mini Fuel Logs

After creating the Hobo Lamp using a twig wrapped with a strip of cotton fabric stick for a wick, I asked myself, "What else is like this?"

A brand new tampon is cotton, surrounded by a cardboard applicator. I followed the same procedure in building this lamp, substituting the wick. I poured the motor oil on the tampon wick.

I was disappointed with the initial results, but then saw a way to utilize this new product. The failure turned into a success.

I dumped the can out, re lit the tampon wick, and watched it burn for quite awhile. These mini fuel logs can be made by simply unwrapping a tampon (not those which have plastic applicators) and laying them in a dish. Pour the motor oil over them. Allow to set overnight so they absorb the oil. Remove and wrap in a scrap of newspaper to facilitate lighting.

People of Purpose-a Huge Resource

I stumbled upon this huge resource while following back referrers to my website.

Amazing list of links and information available in one place, plus this mission statement:

"The purpose of this web page is to provide people with the information they may need to successfully adapt to the looming threats of peak energy, climate instability, economic irrationality, toxic politics, wars and violence."---Bob Waldrop

http://www.energyconservationinfo.org/compendium.htm

I plan to surf this site extensively.