There was some interest regarding the Adirondack canoe trip I took last week. So, I pieced together some video and posted it on YouTube.  You can watch the embedded version below or view it here at the source. It is mostly scenery and some wildlife, but I did include a brief bushcraft component as well. Enjoy!

Popularity: 7%

I did a canoe trip last week in the Adirondack Mountain region of Upstate New York. Although the nature of my trip was mostly exploratory, I did manage to practice a little bushcraft while out in the field. I was primarily interested in seeing if I could access the West Canada Lakes Wilderness Area through the Cedar River starting at a man-made impoundment referred to as the Cedar River Flow. Although I didn’t manage to make it to my intended destination due to shallow water and numerous rocks, I did end up camping on the Cedar River to enjoy a few peaceful days of  R & R (with the exception of a pontoon-equipted helicopter that landed very close to my campsite – I wish I knew what that was all about).

Anyway, while exploring the near-by woods, I found some birch bark at the base of an old paper birch tree that was suitable for fashioning some makeshift baskets. I made two baskets like the one pictured here but I accidently stepped on one of them, crushing it beyond repair. I don’t know what name is used to describe this style of basket, but I know it is a common basket-type often seen in the numerous crafts and outdoor-related books available today. I know it is illustrated in Mors Kochanski’s book Bushcraft, along with several others styles. They’re very easy to make and work great for whatever you may need to hold. If made without splitting the bark, this style of container will even hold liquids (even if you accidently do split the bark, you can still seal up the breach with pine pitch or some other resinous material to keep it from leaking). Mine were crudely fastened together with split sticks but they can also be made more aesthetically pleasing to the eye by using root lashing and a wooden rim around the opening. Either way, they are fun to make and it is a handy skill to have.

Popularity: 10%

You can collect fresh, drinkable water from grape vines. I don’t remember where I first learned about this; I think it may have been on one of the forums. This trick only works in the spring & summer when the sap is running. If you take a grape vine in your hand and cut through it,  it will begin to drip sap. If you fold the vine over into a container to catch the sap you can accumulate a good quantity of drinkable water in a relatively short period of time. All North American species of wild grape should work and are potable. For this demo, I cut a thumb-thick vine at about chest height and folded it over into my container. The sap started to flow immediately and it just about filled a 1 liter Nalgene bottle in about 1 hour.  You can then drink it straight as it is. It tastes just like water and requires no treatment. Bear in mind that there are other plants that can be mistaken for wild grape so be sure to accurately identify any plant that you intend to utilize for consumption and always cross-reference with a reputable field guide.

Popularity: 24%

I did a little camping this weekend. The weather was nice and I got to work on some crafts. The onset of warmer weather here means that the bark peeling season is upon us. So, one of the things I chose to work on was this little basket made from the bark of the quaking aspen tree. There are many books that describe this particular basket style, but specifically I used Mors Kochanski’s book Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills & Wilderness Survival to walk me through the project. I usually shy away from making bark containers like this because I have a tendency to cause runs in the bark that often result in a ruined product. But I took my time and things worked out well. I never understood the idea behind adding a rim to the opening of the basket until mine dried out and started to warp. I had always thought the rim was for decoration but now I see its intended function is to prevent the mouth from warping as the bark begins to lose moisture. So I ended up adding the willow rim a few days later. I soaked the basket in water to make it pliable enough to receive the willow. I am hoping I used a stout enough piece to hold the shape when things dry out again. I was lazy with the lashing and used unpeeled spruce roots and there was enough extra lashing material left over to use for the handle. All I need now to make the basket complete is something to put in it.

Popularity: 40%

I have been reading Tony Nester’s latest book, The Modern Hunter-Gatherer. On the front cover of this book is a sort of collage showing various outdoor-related tools and miscellany. One of the items shown is a slingshot. Tony discusses using the slingshot as a practical means for acquiring game in the field. As a kid growing up, I never had the opportunity to use a slingshot, so after reading this particular section of the book, the inner child in me screamed out “I want a slingshot.” So, I had to listen and started collecting the materials needed to put one together. Within a short period of time I had fashioned my very own bean shooter. They’re relatively easy to make and are very fun to use. I will admit that I am a terrible shot and wouldn’t be able to put meat on the table with it just yet. But that is fine with me because it gives me an excuse to go out and have some fun with it. Up until recently, the biggest problem I’ve had with it was difficulty finding suitable ammunition on account of the snow cover. But now that things are thawing out, the rocks in my driveway are more easily accessible.

If you have ever considered packing a slingshot in your survival kit (or at least the surgical tubing to fabricate one in the bush), be sure to get a copy of Tony’s book, as it covers some helpful suggestions for use and practice. And if you are interested in learning more about slingshots and their capabilities, here are a few links worth checking out:

Mr. Bean Shooter Man (YouTube Link)

Slingshot Channel

Popularity: 37%