Survival Skills in the Gila

On a recent trip to the Gila Wilderness, I spent three days camping at Gila Hot Springs, just a stone's throw from Doc Campbell s, icon of the Continental Divide Trail's rugged experience. When I gave him a twenty to purchase a 12 ounce bottle of orange juice, he grumbled, "Don't you have anything smaller?"
"Nope," I said, "Sorry."
Begrudgingly he took the twenty, charged me 2.25 for the juice, and counted out three fives, two ones, and three quarters.

Truth was, I needed the bottle. It would fit in my jacket pocket.
So, the point of the trip was to hang out with a friend, try some survival techniques, and perhaps scout some free camping for my new motor home.

Photos and video to follow, but bottom line, the Dakota fire pit built at Apache Creek, centrally placed under a huge tarp, worked pretty sweet at base-camp in driving rain. The holes in said tarp provided a funnel effect to collect water.  Gallons of water were collected in less than an hour.
We tested heating rocks in a blazing fire, placing them in a large kettle and bringing the sealed kettle into the tent. Although you could smell some ash, the radiating heat was quite welcome and lasted until 3 a.m.
Similarly, a large rock was heated to unbearable temps, wrapped in a flannel shirt and slid into the sleeping bag. It maintained heat until 6 a.m.
At the hot springs, I used a water bottle filled with the 160 degree water. Made a huge difference as temperatures dropped 40 degrees overnight resulting in sub-freezing temps.

By scouting the free campground at Apache Creek, off highway 12, we were able to see pictographs, Mexican Wolf ravaged carcass, pueblo ruins and ascertain the viability of lean-to shelter building beneath a massive Ponderosa Pine. A small herd of javalina hogs provided fresh sign.

I learned too, that silence is golden and if you're going to bother talking, make it meaningful. Skip the angry swearing and baby talk. Aggravating as hell.

The Hot Springs is privately owned and costs $5 a day per person, comes with 160 degree potable water rushing from a spout and three separate, immaculately maintained 'tubs'. Those few campers utilizing it like we were also were as gypsies, not certain of where the road would take them. A 40 foot blue bus was among the most interesting campers, and gave me courage to bring my 34 foot rig along those winding roads, should I decide to drive, rather than fly, next time.

Again, once I get home, I'll download photos from camera to web.
Minimalism plays a huge part in maintaining sanity among the traveler. Frost and dew fell heavily, making drying gear a process of stringing up lines. The River added to unexpected moisture there in sub-desert climes.

And like us, everyone staying at this campground had a story to share, one filled with lessons and smiles. I found there was a lot to learn, just listening, and keeping my eyes open.

Size of Blades or Knives in Survival Situations

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

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.

The Gift of Fear-A Book Review

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.

First Influences-Tom Brown the Tracker

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.

Eleven Ways to Make Fire

Making fire is so basic to survivalists that whole pages and websites are built around that very concept. I started a list of ways I've seen fires made with the most basic of materials and came up with eleven.

The page is on this blog, to the right. First and most important to all fire building is dry material. Fire requires fuel, oxygen, and ignition. When fuel is wet oxygen and ignition are nearly impossible.

I watched Cody on Dual Survival put the punky wet wood next to his body, but inside his coat to cause the wood to dry out via body heat. He made sure not to put it on his skin because it would drain heat away from his body.

I knew a thru hiker who never cooked or used a fire. He also ran 100 mile marathons. This is the exception. He'd just hike and eat on the move til he got tired. Then, he'd simply roll out his bed and sleep on the trail until he woke up, and go again.

All the stories and episodes watched on survival can never replace hands on approach. One by one, I'm trying every method, working on my techniques until perfected. Not only does it build actual fire building skills, but it increases my confidence. Confidence and the will to live are paramount in survival. Panic is the biggest enemy.

Mountain Garden Update

My garden is doing pretty good all things considered.

The area I chose to develop into a garden late last fall is 12 feet x 15 feet and the only area which receives more than 8 hours of sunshine per day because of the deep forest which surrounds the homestead.

Previously a jeep had been parked there. That was sold for scrap a couple years ago, giving me a vacant flat spot which I defined by laying down logs.

As I dug into the soil-clay-rock I realized we would face serious challenges in aeration and root development. So, leaves, compost pile, saved coffee grounds, and excavated soil from the driveway embankment were layered and encouraged to rot.

In March I turned the new soil, raked it as much as possible and began planting seeds. The short video of its humble beginnings is posted at

http://www.youtube.com/user/brawny03 entitle Mountain Garden.

Bear prints were seen later that month, and I sorta blame those bears for eating some seeds, or at least rearranging them. I put up a scarecrow, placed moth balls under a nearby board, and never saw evidence of bear again.

Onions did very well, and next year I'll get more onion sets. I worked in Zion National Park for 3 months so my partner looked after the young plants. Mostly, things were allowed to flourish as "green manure" , a way to build soil and nitrogen by composting directly the vegetation grown in it.

When I returned home last month, summer squash and zucchini were producing, a few beans had dried on the vines and recycled into second generation plants shown here in the video. Beans are great soil builders.

We harvested just two small butternut squash. Excellent eating. Next years should be bigger. Simply peel, slice and saute in a frying pan with some onions, salt and black pepper for a delicious side dish.

The marigolds, used as natural pest deterrents, are flourishing.

All told, I'm quite happy with the progress. I plan to keep the seeds from the squash and use them next spring.

I broadcast lime pellets when blossom end rot kept appearing in Septembers crop of squashes. Hopefully, in time to prevent the tomatoes from that fate.

Found Objects

While hiking back to the Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park, I found this camera lens cap. My whole intention was to turn it into the front desk for the lost and found box.

You can always tell when you're near a road or civilization by the trash you find. This lens cap was on the trail used by guests who've booked a horse ride, and a few adventurous hikers.

On the Pacific Crest Trail I would always know when I was nearing a road because bottles, cans, wrappers and other trash would appear. In the back country there is very little garbage because if anyone is back there they haven't hauled in bottles and cans. They seem to respect the land and pack out the wrappers they may have carried in.


An unusual exception to this is the fire rings on the Appalachian Trail. You will find the packaging for instant/dehydrated preportioned meals like Mountain House in fire rings. These expensive meal options are used by inexperienced backpackers. Used by novices, they seem to be the only ones that actually expect this packaging to burn.

I used to maintain a portion of the Appalachian Trail, the last section in Georgia, just before you get to Bly Gap. I'd hike the sections before it as a walk through, and report back to the district manager. Many times I'd pack out garbage from fire rings, and things abandoned in the Plum Orchard Trail shelter. These were items hikers decided (or simply forgot ) were not worth carrying any further. One of the biggest items was a full size fluffy bath towel. I found a black leather jacket laying beside a rock and a 9 x 12 piece of Tyvek neatly folded and laying on the famous tree at the Junction past Bly Gap.

As a survivalist, I pick up some items knowing it could come in handy later. A good piece of cordage or line, a tent stake or ditty bag, perhaps some plastic sheeting. This lens cap, if needed could be put into use as a survival tool if necessary.

Being able to improvise with found objects is a skill one can develop. It takes imagination and experience that can be drawn upon in times of need.

Regardless of what is on your body or in your pack, the most important tool you have is your brain. By getting outdoors often and playing a person can build skills and add to the knowledge.

Home Made and Solar Powered

I found this page that gives directions on how to build a solar oven for under $5. I think I can find the parts at a thrift store even, making it cheaper. But, with the price of electricity and propane going up, $5 would be a good investment in getting off the grid.



http://www.solarcooker-at-cantinawest.com/build_a_simple_solar_cooker.html



It's fun making things, useful things. Once made, and the concepts understood, a person can tailor it to their needs.

Like this day pack: made of silnylon with one outer pocket for water bottles etc, it weighs only 4 ounces and suits me perfectly. There's no hip belt, but even with 5 pounds of gear, it feels very comfortable.

I like black because it blends into the environment and is opaque.

Basically, this pack is a large stuff sack with shoulder straps sewn into the drawcord casing at the top, and the bottom of the straps sewn into the side seams near the bottom. Incredibly simple, this pack can also be repaired on trail, or rolled up and stuffed in a carry on bag for airport travel. Once at the destination, it makes a great day pack.

My youtube channel has a demo on how to make stuff sacks.

http://youtube.com/user/brawny03

This fall I will begin a series of sewing videos to include this how to make this pack.

Ultralighter's Murphy Kit

I started refering to this bag of goodies as my Murphy Kit. My partner Rainmaker called it this because its for anything that can go wrong.

I guess it includes the normal hygiene stuff: toothpaste, tooth brush, floss, toilet paper, comb and tylenol.

But then there's the stuff for all those unusual times when things aren't going so great. Something breaks, something tears, you're hurting, got a thing crawling up your back you suspicion could be a tick, water treatment, or anything needing to be rigged, this kit has stuff for dealing with those situations as well.

Now, some folks might look at this conglomeration and not know what to do with it. Thats when trail skills come in handy.

By getting outdoors, often, in good and bad weather, a survivalist can learn much.

Now Some Practical Stuff

http://youtube.com/user/brawny03

I made this short video this morning. It shows the trail tools I like to carry in my pocket.

A watch, with the band removed and on the same key ring as my retractable knife, a red LED light, a bright white solar powered LED light, and a tiny can opener.

Now I realize some folks might have philosophical reasons to ditch the watch all together. But, years and many miles of experience in the wilderness has taught me to value it greatly.

For instance, in easy to moderate terrain, I can cover about 2.5 miles per hour. If my trail guide or map says the next available water is 6 miles away, I will look at my watch and realize that it will be a little over 2 hours before I will get there. No panic, no second guessing if I have already missed it.

Or, if I need to arrive at the post office before it closes, I can estimate if it is doable, or I decide if I should spend an extra day on the trail, and hit it the next morning.

How many hours left of daylight, how long til sunrise, or how long until the next bus arrives can all be useful bits of information when planning the day.

Sometimes, it seems like I have been hiking forever. After glancing at my watch I see its only been half an hour. A trail watch, put away in the pocket is a handy tool, accessible without reminding me of the hustle and bustle of life like one on my wrist would.

Watches can be used as compasses if one points the 12 o'clock towards north. Three o'clock would be due east, six o'clock is south, and 9 is due west. These skills can be practiced in nonemergency situations. A real compass is handy to have, too. I'm not advocating one eliminates a true compass with a simple trail watch.

As a general all around tool, a watch can not be beat.

More tomorrow on trail tools.