Summer is right around the corner and we need to get ready for a survival overnight at a local school. My campsite, grandson’s fire with a timely rescue by his dad. Family affair.

I headed out to the training stumps at the fire pit with the concept of practicing flint & steel. If you are going to ignite char and use resources, you should think of the next fire. So let’s make char cloth. I headed out the door with an Altoids Tin, denim patches, a piece of black volcanic glass, the file striker gifted from Bill Cox of Survival Lore, one stick of dried birch with bark intact, and the Hudson Bay Tobacco tin purchased from GB2. Now the goal was a one-stick fire ignited from flint & steel. I knew the tobacco tin had twine and char cloth. Otherwise, my grandson has eaten me out of char cloth. The carving axe and the Migizi knife made short work of the piece of birch. I had some cedar bark close by and now, I don’t think it was completely dry. I used three pieces of very fine char cloth from the kit and despite adding birch bark and then twine to the messy bundle could not get it to flame. Short work for my friend, Mr. Texas Bushcraft ferro Rod. I cooked the denim cloth and proved the char. One photo credit to my bride for coming out to see what was going on and picturing a bundle that looked very promising. The red is cedar, not fire! Last weekend was the fire exercise, Saturday was a nice hike with Buz, and back yard fire today. I hope everyone had a contemplative and respectful Memorial Day. I’m hanging out here, waiting for everyone to come back. Ken - Out

Training Primer: To hike around the family homestead and identify several campsite locations, to complete a shelter - fire - boil exercise. AAR: Buz accompanied me for a hike at the homestead for a hike. We completed a 1.2 mile loop and passed through four potential locations where we can set up a semi-permanent campsite. We definitely identified one that is close to a mass of small expendable white pine trees that we can use for a primitive shelter, several shelter locations and suitable places to hang. It is also very close to piles of fire making resources from land clearing activity. At one of my winter shelter locations I dismounted the pack and started the shelter build. Time stealing error of leaving the #36 bankline against the tree on the inside of the bowline knot. Time. I had collected tinder as I approached location but started the exercise without gathering kindling and fuel. More time. So the boil took 27 minutes. When I repeat the exercise I will definitely remember where the Prussik knots are located. I will also gather fire materials before I start the clock. This site is great for fire because there is kindling and fuel in abundance. I was able to teach my hiking partner some things about knives. He carries a Mora with a rat-tail tang knife. Carves like crazy but I would not normally baton with that knife. I was also able to demonstrate how to remove a boiling bottle from the fire with a dangling toggle and various uses for a shamagh . Equipment maintenance and restocking.

What do you folks put in your bushcraft bag IFAKs? I’m not looking to have a standard ifak in my bush bag, just something more practical

Saturday morning started as planned. I inventoried my Continental Weekender and re-packed it anticipating the over-night. I drove to the conservation area and completed the 3.6 mile hike with the pack. Approximately 25 lbs, with boots, and partially cross country. Two-hours, 13 minutes. I was not unhappy with 1.64 mph especially as I was exploring and collecting resources. I sourced birch bark and Atlantic White Cedar bark all to be dryed out in my hoody pocket and used for a fire that eventing. When I got home, domestically, things completely fell apart. My clothing was quite wet from inside and out, which would have been an issue and a fire would have been essential to dry things out before sleeping. My fire was inside instead of outside and we moved forward. My gear had to be brought in and dried out, although I was extrelely happy with how is survived a wet hike. With just a foam pad and a poncho liner, it would have been a cold night. If I stay with the gathered end hammocks, I should look into a top and bottom quilt. Looking at a couple from OneWind that are not too expensive. All my photos came out in the wrong format. Something else I need to fix.