Activity for cr0
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit | Post #39641 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #39633 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #39601 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
| Edit | Post #39598 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
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A: How to find ticks in your hair? TL;DR: comb your scalp systematically with your fingers, wash your hair to remove them from hair (be careful with laundry carrying ticks home too), and try to catch/prevent them getting into your hair in the first place. Great question. I worked in the woods with long hair under a hard hat, and wo... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: Are there US Forest Service maps of historical logging? @JamesJenkins answer is pretty good. I'll add two points based on my experience as a forester. I think the 2nd point especially will help you find the info you're looking for, which is, TLDR: Forest stand maps can be very useful for planning woodland activities, serving as a great clue about where yo... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: Camping alone in the wilderness in the USA In the east there is less wild land and more people exploring the natural areas that are available. I'm big on pathless forests, and to find these places I've learned to either seek out privately owned forest properties with welcoming landowners who don't mind my kind of wandering and bushcraft activ... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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Are wattle and daub primitive shelters suitable for the Adirondacks? Sometimes natural building techniques just aren't suited for a certain environment. For example, an exposed cob oven in vermont vs. a stone oven would turn out very differently, the cob falling apart in VT's heavy rain. With that in mind, is wattle and daub suited for the Adirondacks? Similar to in... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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Is there clay soil in the Adirondacks suitable for earthen primitive building? An example of the earthen material I have in mind, this video shows some daub prepared for a wattle-and-daub house at timestamp 7:45: https://youtu.be/wPWLlVVVDN0 Cob, cobb or clom (in Wales) is a natural building material made from subsoil, water, fibrous organic material (typically straw), and ... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: At what wind speed is hiking considered unsafe There is already a good answer to this but I'll add a slightly different perspective, especially since you noted in your question you want more general answers. For working in the forest - as in forestry, logging, land surveying - the safety guidance about wind I was taught as a professional is as f... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: What animal could entirely strip the bark of a birch like this? With the little information provided the safest educated guess would be porcupine having a wintertime meal. An extension.org page on barkstripping discusses the issue and lists likely culprits and telltale signs: Identifying the cause of the bark damage is fairly easy. Beavers and rabbits c... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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What in the forest is suitable as a foundation to primitive structures such as log cabins, in northeast USA? Cedar is a great example of a log that makes a good log cabin foundation. Solid and naturally rot resistant. Are there other species' logs suitable as foundations in northeast USA? Rocks can also be stacked though that is a much more permanent build than many primitive structures. What other logs or ... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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What does it take to become a wilderness skills guide as a business? I see lots of schools around different states and countries that teach wilderness skills and they seem to vary a lot in their basis (that is, what qualifies them to do what they do). Some are led by an organization with a handful or more paid staff, some are volunteer individuals, and everything in b... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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What are uses of red spruce (picea rubens) by humans in a wilderness, primitive, or frontier setting? What are uses for red spruce (picea rubens) by humans in wilderness settings (e.g. in primitive technologies, bushcraft, wilderness survival, low-tech rural livelihoods, frontier homesteading)? While this could fall under other StackExchange categories (e.g. DIY, chemistry), I'm interested in uses th... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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What woods have been used to build primitive shelters in northern climates, especially around the Adirondacks Mountains? I'm exploring primitive shelter building in northern cool temperate climates. I mean primitive as a compliment: the prime, first, original, indigenous, low-tech/base-tech. Things like the Haudenosaunee or Viking Longhouse seem to be the most 'standard' approach to cold climate primitive shelter build... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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Do emergency space blankets actually work? Inspired by a space blanket being included in emergency winter kits, I wonder if there's any rigorous study about whether these things actually work and in what ways to best use them. In my own experience, they do make nice reflectors. For example, making a tarp-leantoo and a long fire, a space blan... (more) |
— | almost 6 years ago |
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A: What gear should I carry along for winter emergencies? As usual, skills are the lightest and most effective thing one can carry. From how to bushcraft useful things from natural materials, to clever ways to satisfy needs like signaling or navigation, to keeping a healthy state of mind. Nonetheless, some useful items greatly increase chance of success / ... (more) |
— | almost 6 years ago |
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A: Why is it undesirable for the New Forest to convert to a mature forest? This is all about forest succession and natural resource management goals. Both are implicit in your question, forest succession defining new forest converting to mature forest and management goals define what's desirable. If the goal is to have arable land, room to settle (build and live) on, and r... (more) |
— | about 6 years ago |
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A: How does dental floss compare to fishing line in a survival situation? When it comes to survival gear in wilderness scenarios, one needs to consider A) the utility of the equipment, and B) how difficult it is to find or craft the equipment from materials in the field. Using this framework to consider dental floss and fishing line as survival gear, the main uses that are... (more) |
— | about 6 years ago |
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What is this blob found at the edge of a puddle on a forest logging road? Exploring the woods of the Adirondack Mountains, this gelatinous blob was found near the edge of standing water on a logging road. The entire length of this thing is probably just under 10 inches and it seems to be about an inch thick (didn't measure). The road was used about a year ago, maybe more, ... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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Timing on building a small log cabin I'm interested in building a small Lincoln-log style cabin (more like a shed, <200 square feet) in hardiness zone 4/5 of northeast USA. Available timbers are mostly red spruce, some eastern hemlock, a little bit of white and red pine, and precious little cedar. My question is about the timing of c... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Where in USA can I buy high end telescopic surf rods for fishing? Not a very specific answer but I can share that I've noticed friends who are big on (fly) fishing purchasing direct-from-maker for high end or specialized equipment, whether domestically or internationally. They find an example of what they're looking for and reach out to the source to see where it c... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: How can I safely wade through swamps/bogs? I'm reiterating and expanding on highlights from other answers and adding a cautionary anecdote. First off, as noted in a comment, please confirm with local environmental protection agencies if you are permitted to enter these bogs. Regardless of their answer, know that these are inherently quite se... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Is it possible to acclimatize to a cold weather in a short time? For these kinds of issues I like to look at how militaries handle it, since they are heavily invested in optimizing personnel performance in a wide range of climates and conditions. Some anecdotes from looking into that in the past, I don't have a citation for now: it is more difficult to acclimate t... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: How to find water in thick tropical forests? Great question. As you noted the guide had native knowledge of that environment which helps a lot. In my local environment (temperature / boreal forest) I'd be decently equipped to find water in a local forest that is new to me because even if the exact area is new it is not completely unfamiliar. I ... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Effective breathing techniques for high inclination, tougher hikes Adapted from my answer to Correct breathing while bouldering with slight modifications for dealing with differences between bouldering (more stop-and-go, brief high intensity moves) and high inclination hiking (more steadily challenging, with longer stops when one does take a break). In various sp... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: My car broke down in Siberia. What do I do now? One of the best things you can do in this situation is actually what you could do before it happens: bring preparations. Other comments have already mentioned different items already and ultimately you need to have brought those with you for them to be of any use, or what you lack in items you need s... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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How to avoid getting cold when diving? I've done a few scuba dives and really enjoy it, except (diving or not) I get cold quickly when submerged. I have very low body fat and relatively low blood pressure (though I am healthy overall) so it's not a surprise I get cold quickly. Even swimming in tropical waters, it doesn't take long for me... (more) |
— | over 6 years ago |
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A: Shooting into tree By puncturing the cambium of the tree with bullets you are on the way to girdling it. Girdling a tree happens when enough of the circumference of the tree has been damaged just beneath the bark so as to interrupt water and nutrient flow, effectively strangling the tree. This is a slow death. In most ... (more) |
— | almost 7 years ago |
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A: How can I protect a room from bugs without using mosquito-nets or visible barriers? The CDC recommends... Take steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside your home Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Use air conditioning when available. Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not a... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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How to confirm/remove ticks in tough spots when alone? When in tick country, tick checks are critical. Easier with a buddy who can look where the sun doesn't shine, but even alone, diligent inspection (especially with a mirror of some sort) can go a long way. This question is about what to do after spotting what might be a tick in solo inspection. If on... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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What's the fastest way for a single person to setup a tarp umbrella/leantoo in the rain in a nothern temperate forest? Tangentially related to Pitching a tent in the rain? I want to know what the fastest way is for one person to setup a tarp as a big umbrella over a section of camp or as a leantoo for folks to gather under. The setting is in a northern temperate forest with plenty of deciduous and coniferous trees an... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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How to minimize limitation/pain from blisters caused before a camping trip? I have a short camping trip coming up. This week, from using a wooden tool, I got blisters on my hands at the base of some fingers. In the future, ideally, I would take precaution to not get blisters before a camping trip. Alas, I have them, now what can I do? During the trip I expect to cut wood wit... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: Are there sound-based alternatives to whistle signals for group communication? I spent a summer with two brothers from the Dominican Republic and they would call out to each other with a loud howl-like "FOOOOOOOOOOOO" sound that carried very well through fields, forests, and over a lake. Later in life I spent some time with a friend of a friend who was essentially squatting an... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: How do you get bear spray off skin and or gear? The key ingredients in bear sprays are capsaicins (reference), which are also the key ingredients of classic pepper spray. Cleaning bear spray off of you or your gear is similar to cleaning pepper spray off you or your gear. First off, it capsaicins can be an extreme irritant, and so you want to min... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: What are some usable sources of iron for producing iron tools in the wilderness? The article Iron Production in the Viking Age on Hurstwic discusses sources of iron available in the wilderness of Scandinavia and Iceland. To my knowledge and experience, similar sources exist in what is now eastern Canada. From that article and other reading I identify two primary sources of iron p... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How do you pace yourself while doing strenuous hikes above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet)? Listening to your body is good advise as others said: try to maintain relaxed, deep breathing, and when it becomes too much for you to do comfortable, you should slow down or stop to reset back to that. Relaxed in this case just means without tension or any struggle to breathe and get the air you nee... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: Correct breathing while bouldering In various sports and even day-to-day life, breathing techniques make a difference in performance. Generally, you want to breathe deeply, steadily, and with your breathing muscles relaxed. Deep, steady, relaxed breathing can be especially difficult during exercise. You may need to adapt your rate of ... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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How to process iron in the wilderness? How do you smelt and forge iron sources from & in the wilderness? People must have started somewhere with this sort of thing! I once saw a video from a primitive technology practitioner on YouTube who smelted iron from a orange bacterial build up in water that served as the ore, using a wildcra... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: If you are faced with surviving on your own for a prolonged period, should a sling make your short list of hunting tools, and why or why not? The question about which type of weapon is best is certainly opinion based. It depends on circumstances. What is not so opinion based, and stays consistent throughout different situations, are some principles: the importance of capability and familiarity with the equipment. Whichever weapon is more c... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: Is it warmer to sleep with an empty bladder? As Ben noted in an answer, "the body doesn't spend the whole night coming into thermal equilibrium with its surroundings." Where the body needs to focus its energy is important because if your body is busy heating your core to avoid death, then your fingers and toes can't get as much warming attentio... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: Why do I always wake up freezing? Putting together a lot of ideas already covered and adding some tips I've gotten over time. I don't have much natural insulation and get cold easily, so these tips have all been important for me. Ensure you have the proper gear. Sounds like you already do, but maybe need a more appropriate sleeping... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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What materials can be used to make cordage in forests of the Adirondacks? Context: Rope, aka cordage, is useful in many bushcraft projects. Cordage can be useful to hang things up, and it is particularly valuable in constructing tools (e.g. bow drills for fire making, making connections between stone and wood in cutting tools) and furniture or shelters (e.g. setting up ta... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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How to improvise a rescue 'throw bag' rope? Dealing with water rescue, it is valuable to have an easily thrown rope nearby. There are specific items made for this, such as this throw bag with 50 ft. of high visibility MFP rope by Scotty. How can one prepare for rope rescue in advance, in case it is needed, without having purchased a pre-made ... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How to keep away animals from my camp without setting a fire? Related to flith's answer, noise can be a deterrent. The same way fires are prohibited in some areas, making too much noise may also be frowned upon, so this may not be a viable strategy depending on where you are. Wilderness survival expert Les Stroud carries a harmonica as a personnel item and to ... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How can I take duct tape with me backpacking? I find it good to have a little bit in various places. Splitting it up this way makes it handier and less cumbersome in all places. Here are some examples of fairly non-intrusive areas you can keep some duct tape (and ranger bands which can serve similar purposes): Wrap two rows of full-width duct ... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: What should one look for in a bivy sack? Disclaimer: I go with tarps or tents instead of Bivy's but have used them before. Necessary: Protects you from water Protects you from strong winds Some ventilation (through openings or fabrics) to reduce condensation and allow fresh air flow Large enough to comfortably fit you and not too much bi... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How to clean vomit from camping gear? It sounds like what you did to clean it up was effective and could be adapted for trekking. For example there are three key things I read you did to improve the situation: wiped up the mess using towels; left contaminated gear in a separate area from your regular activities so it could be cleaned... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: In cold conditions, will you freeze faster wearing wet clothes than not wearing any? It does depend on the circumstances and the other two answers cover it pretty well. A personal experience to back those answers up: I found myself sleeping in a precarious place after a rain storm which drenched just about all my gear - I was unprepared and did not have a dry bag of spare clothes. Ov... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How should you treat an open wound in the backcountry? A good wilderness first-aid reference is included below to give you a better grasp on how to handle different wounds. Here's some key points for a wound like a knife wound you described. Note that the best first-aid will depend on the details of the wound, the wounded, and what conditions are present... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |