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 failed the first time you tried natural tinder in wet conditions? What corrected it?

After today’s exercise, everything had to come inside for preventative maintenance. Not included in the photos are a pair of loppers. I have to rethink those because I don’t hike with loppers. I also don’t hike with the fixed blade Fiskars saw. The hatchet will be added to some kits. I have talked in other topic areas about how much I have learned about fire and shelters. I have not talked about tool use and maintenance. Since the beginning of the year I have seriously increased my knife utilization and the need for knife maintenance. In reviewing my after-action-report from the Wilderness Skills Course, GB2, I wrote that much more knife utilization and practice should precede course work. My hands and knife skills are seriously better today than a month ago. Reps and practice. Yes, I am also thrilled with the two Migizi knives. The Bushcraft / Survival Knife is currently riding in a leather dangler from LT Wright because I need to get it below the winter coat. I am working on a dangler design to use the Kydex sheath provided.