Mastering the Outdoors

We live in a beautiful spot. We can choose the noise of traffic at night from our city dwelling, or we can strike out and find a quiet, peaceful place where we can stargaze. We can pick a soft bed with a down comforter or a down sleeping bag, ultralight to make packing it into that secluded spot easier. Whatever your preference, sometimes a few little tips on how to master the outdoors will have us reaching for the wild, even if we don't know we're doing it! Enjoy the following, and we'll see you in the woods!

Building a shelter

Your tent burns up; you suddenly have to spend a night outside before getting out of the woods. You will need to build a shelter. Start by gathering a supply of six to eight-foot strong branches. Set two branches vertical in the ground about the height of your body with a third running horizontally between the two. Stack the branches you’ve gathered at a 45-degree angle to build a makeshift tent. Once your structure is in place, cover the outside with whatever insulation is available – moss, pine branches or thick heavy brush. If you find 10 to 12-foot branches, you can also set up as a teepee securing the branches at the top and insulating the same.

Starting a fire with a battery

You’ve lost all your matches and it’s getting cold. If you have anything battery operated, it might save your life. Get your AA batteries out and either a gum wrapper or strips of tinfoil. Make sure the strips are cut thin, less than half an inch. Fold the wrapper into a “V” shape and attach both the positive and negative ends of the battery to the wrapper or foil. The flame will only burn for a short while so have your tinder ready. If you happen to have steel wool with you, place it in a bind of dry grass, remove your cell phone battery and rub it against the steel wool, and presto, you have made fire!

Finding clean water

You’ve made a wrong turn, and your water bottle is empty. Water is essential to survival, but drinking the wrong kind can make things worse. Generally speaking, the faster the water is moving the safer it is to drink, and the same goes for clarity. Green ponds or stagnant streams can breed bacteria. Water should always be boiled no matter what the source. Can’t find any above ground sources? Look for signs of water below by searching for where mosquitoes swarm, or follow a game trail which likely leads to water. At night, hang plastic around your tent for a rain catcher. Even if it doesn’t rain, condensation can build. Make sure the water will drop into a container.

Identifying edible plants

Food is low in supply, and you’re striking out hunting and fishing. Finding edible plants for nourishment can save your life, but it can also end it. Wild fruits and vegetables are available throughout the west, but misidentifying these can sometimes lead to poisoning or make you gravely ill. There are several guides to finding edible plants, and it’s highly recommended that you carry one in your pack. Your local forest service office will also be able to provide information to the specific area you are hiking or camping in. Only consume wild plants if the situation is dire and you can positively identify what you are eating.

Navigating by day

You’re lost and the trail you came in on is nowhere to be found. You should have a map and compass, but if both are gone, there are a few tricks to help get you back on track. Start at a highpoint to get your bearing straight. If it’s a cloudy day and you can’t find which way is north, look at the trees. Moss typically grows the best facing north on trees and rocks in heavily shaded areas. Hillsides facing south will generally have less vegetation and shorter trees. To get out, follow water. Mountain streams lead to rivers which usually lead to roads or people.

Navigating by night

Moving at night in the woods can be extremely dangerous and should only be attempted if the situation is grave. If you are in dense woods and cannot see the stars, you should stay put for the night. If you’re able to find the North Star and are sure of the direction you want to go, proceed slowly and deliberately. As with daytime moving, following a mountain stream to a river and following the riverbank will almost certainly lead you to civilization or roadway. If at any point you are feeling unsure of the direction you are heading, stop for the night and don’t make things worse.

Sending a survival signal

You’re lost and have decided to stay put in hope of rescue. Move yourself into an open area easily visible from the air. Build a large signal fire and cover it with anything around that might be wet or molding as this will create more visible smoke. If you see a plane or far off boat, use anything that’s reflective to attempt to get their attention. If you know you are near some civilization, climb to the highest point and turn on your phone. Even if you don’t get service, search and rescue can “ping” your phone which helps them determine the area you are in.

Using a split-tip gig

You’re out of food but see fish jumping in the lake or stream you’re camped along. Creating a split-tip gig can help you land a meal. Find a dry and sturdy straight branch to fit as your spear. Take your knife and drive it into the base in half about one foot. Do this twice so you create four spear points. Sharpen the edges of each split so you have four sharp spears. Your best odds are finding fish in shallow water, less than two feet deep. Stand still in the water until the fish come into range, constantly moving around will drive fish away. Strike fast and toss the fish on the shore ASAP so it doesn’t slip back into the water.

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