Author Archives: Wolf Pack Woodcraft

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Overcoming the paradox of fire

The Paradox of Fire – What Fire Prefers

The Paradox of Fire basically means the more you need fire, the harder it is to make fire. One of the basics ways of learning how to start a fire even with the paradox against you is by understanding what fire prefers. Here is a list of what fire prefers and some tricks in getting it started.

Fire prefers warmth – Having a warm spot where the heat can build is key. Laying down sticks to keep your fire off the cold floor is one trick. Blocking the cold wind can help as well.

Fire prefers dry materials – Moister can kill a fire and make it extremely hard to start. Some tricks for this is to split wood and collecting the dry center. Also, having an idea of trees around you can help in finding natural resins that will ignite even when wet. Such as pine resin or birch bark.

Fire prefers to climb – Fire likes to climb and build upward. That is why the Teepee fire lay is the most popular. It allows the fire to climb straight upward into the peak, which builds more heat and drys everything faster the closer it gets to the top.

Fire will always prefer the inner fibers of any wood – so split wood or carved wood will always burn better. Some tricks to this are by making feathersticks or curls that are thin and have a large amount of surface area. This will expose the most amount of fibers of the inner wood and make the fire grow at a much faster rate.

When it comes to Building or Making a fire those are skills that we will talk about in future posts. This is just to get you familiar with what it may take to get the fire started. Always carry Sure Fire to make sure that no matter what the situation you will always have a flame in any emergency.

kids playing

Kids Camping – Tips and Tricks

When you are camping with kids there are some things that make it much easier. Here are some tips and tricks to help keep everyone comfortable and safe in the woods.

  1. Bring Water Guns – Having water guns not only are a form of the game tag or many other games.  It also helps in keeping everyone entertained and cool as well. The hot sun can be uncomfortable sometimes and the evaporative cooling that comes with a good old-fashioned water fight can help that.kids playing
  2. Bring Small Snacks – Having fun is so easy to do when you are out in nature. Running and playing can build an appetite but who has time to sit and eat? Small ziplock bags of healthy snacks can keep kids energized without stopping any of the fun.
  3. Bring a small Tarp or Rug – Small toys seem to be every kid’s favorite thing to bring.  Make sure nothing gets lost or stepped on, by bringing a tarp or rug that all small toys must be kept on at all times. Not only does this contain the mess but it makes clean up that much quicker.
  4. Camp Toys – Toys that replicate camp activities not only allow your kid to learn camp basics but also allows them to be a part of what’s going on.  Having Their own camp stove and tools will teach them so much. (See Video Below)
  5. Glow Sticks – Using glow stick necklaces at night are not only fun but can help in locating and identify everyone. My sons favorite color is green so every night he puts on his green glow stick. Not only can we find him but we know it’s him from the green glowing neck.

camping list

6. Teddy Bear – always make sure your camping list has your kids comfort items from home. That security blanket or teddy bear could make the difference in how everyone sleeps that night, and how crabby everyone is the next morning!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H7dgWquUBY

Camping Fathers Day Gift Ideas

Fathers Day is just around the corner. If you need some camping gift ideas here is a list of 20 camping gift ideas for this Fathers Day. This is just a quick list I thought up. There are tons of options but just remember one of the best gifts of all is the love we share. Ok, here we go!

  1. A New Tent
  2. Hammock
  3. Tarp for the Hammock camping
  4. Knife
  5. Stainless Steel Water Bottle Kit
  6. Titanium Canteen Kit
  7. Flashlight
  8. Anker Battery Charger – So he can always call home
  9. Stanley Mess Ket – to eat well in the woods
  10. Lucy Light
  11. Sleeping Pad – Only the best for Dad
  12.  Woodcraft Axe
  13. Packable Jacket – for Rain or Cold
  14. Pants
  15. Socks
  16. Ursack – to keep food away from bears
  17. Bluetooth Speaker
  18. Knife Sharpener
  19. Alcohol Stove
  20. Good Book

These are just some camping gift ideas that I have. Make sure to click the underlined words to learn more about each item. Remeber Camping is all about relaxing and being with family. Sometimes the best Fathers day gift of all is just spending time with your dad learning how to love and enjoy nature. Also, make sure to click on the picture and leave all of your great gift ideas in the comments. There are a lot of great dads with a lot of great gift ideas!

Camping List for Beginners

Having a camping list can not only save you time packing but can also guarantee your comfort and relaxation in the woods.  This Camping list is just going to cover some of the basic beginner camping gear that you should bring but like any list, adding and modifying items is always going to be a must. So feel free to leave a comment sharing your camping list and the things you think every beginner needs.

Let’s Start!

  1. Ground Tarp – Putting a tarp under your tent will increase the lifespan of your tent by keeping sticks and pine needles from poking holes in the bottom. It will also help by keeping the moisture from the morning dew from soaking into your tent floor.
  2. Tent – Having a private place to change, escape the elements, and get a good night sleep is a must when you are out enjoying nature.
  3. Air Mattress – A comfortable nights sleep is very important especially after a long day of hiking, swimming, fire building, and enjoying the great outdoors.
  4. Air Mattress Pump – Being able to easily inflate your air mattress saves on a lot of frustration just make sure to the batteries are charged.
  5. Sleeping Bag – Having a sleeping bag that is rated to the temperature you are going to be sleeping through is key to a good night sleep. Sleeping bags that are rated to warm will be too hot all night but too low of a rating and you will freeze. So always make sure to check the weather and plan accordingly remember you can always bring extra blankets.
  6. Pillow – There are many different kinds of camp pillows on the market but just bringing what you have at home is always a good comfortable option just make sure to wash the pillow case when you get home.

Now you should have a nice place to call home for the night or weekend depending on your trip but, what are we going to cook with? There are a ton of options when it comes to camp cooking but just to get you started let’s start this list like this.

  1. Camp Stove – This stove is very easy to use and works much like the propane stoves you find in some homes. All you need is a full canister and you are ready to cook anything you want just like you would on a stove top. Just remember to keep a close eye on everything because it’s hard to gauge how much heat is being put out.
  2. Grill Lighter – Having a grill lighter makes starting your camp stove and the fire pit much easier because you are able to reach down into the center of your tinder. You can find these at any local gas station.
  3.  Cookware – When it comes to pots and pans this really comes down to personal preference. Some people go very minimal with small pans and cups. While others who love to cook go all out with full sized pots and pans and eat like a king in the woods. Both have their pros and cons.
  4. Cooking Utensils – Making sure you can flip your bacon is a must in my book. Again this is different for everyone, some people use a fork while others bring actual kitchen utensils. There are a ton of camping options for this one so make sure to do your research.
  5. Eating Utensils – The minimal spork is always a camp favorite but cheap plastic silverware works just as well and save on time you spend on clean up.
  6. Plates and Bowls – Again there are a ton of lightweight options for packable plates and bowls but paper plates and wax paper bowls will save you time on cleanup and give you more time enjoying the great outdoors.
  7. Cooler – Your cooler is your outdoor mini fridge just make sure you bring lots of ice to keep the food and drinks cold. A trick I use is freezing water in old Gatoraid bottles before the trip. I can use the bottles as ice to keep the cooler cold but as they melt I have water to drink during the day.
  8. Water Jug – It’s time to do the dishes. When you are out camping you don’t always have running water. So by having a water jug, it makes things like clean up that much easier. I always bring bottles of water to drink and just use my water jug for cleanup.

Now that our bellies are full let’s go over some more items I think should be on everyone’s camping list.

  1. Sunblock
  2. Bug Spray
  3. Hand Sanitizer
  4. Shower Bag
  5. Toilet Bag
  6. Towels
  7. Cotton Bandana
  8. Clothes
  9. Swimwear
  10. Knife
  11. Axe
  12. Folding Saw
  13. Camera
  14. Spare Batteries
  15. Flashlight
  16. Map/Compass
  17. Fire Starter
  18. Gorilla Tape
  19. Knife Sharpener
  20. Good Book
  21. Camp Chair
  22. Water Filter

What would you add? Make sure to leave your comments and let others know your Camping List when enjoying a relaxing weekend at camp.

Water Containers

We all know that water is one of the most important things for survival, and we have already covered filtration, but what is the best water containers to carry? It comes down to how long you intend your venture to last as well as personal preference. Here are my top three:

  1. For my short hikes, I love my 32 oz Crystal Drip. The reason that I only use this for short hikes is that the bottle is double-walled and vacuum insulated, which means you should not use it in the fire. Since you should not put it in the fire to purify your water by methods of boiling, it is not ideal for long treks where you have to refill. The best thing about this bottle is how cold it keeps your water, it will stay ice-cold in my experience for a whole day out in the field. 
  2. Another good option that works for both short and long trips, is a good old fashioned stainless steel water bottle, such as the Pathfinder Stainless Steel Water Bottle. This bottle keeps water reasonably cool and is not double-walled so you can place it into a fire to boil water for purification. This makes it the most useful water container on the list because you can refill it, boil with it and have no worries.
  3. For a bit of a longer hike, I take my Platypus Big Zip LP Reservoir. This water bladder comes in three different sizes (1.5 L, 2 L, and 3 L) I have the 2-liter reservoir. This is the greatest reservoir that I have found: it is easy to fill, the big zip prevents leaks and it has a comfortable bite-valve. The Platypus does not take up too much room in your pack and on an extra hot day, I will pair this with my Crystal Drip or Pathfinder water bottle.

Knowledge Equals Survival

When it comes to the outdoors knowledge equals survival, it not only aids in acquiring skills needed to accomplish tasks, but also helps in maintaining and improving on everything we once learned and knew.  Camping is no different there are tons of different aspects and journeys one can take and by having the knowledge of the land plus the skills needed to conquer the conditions it really makes a difference in how you enjoy nature. My main teachers can be found not only on YouTube but also in the books I have read. I want to share with you the books that have taught me the skills needed to be confident and comfortable in the woods.

  1. Bushcraft 101 A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival –  Dave Canterbury started a series of books with this one but of the ones I have read this is still my favorite. It goes through all the basic knowledge of not only camping but true primitive living. The pictures in this book help to imagine what needs to be done to make certain that you understand what he is talking about and how it helps in a woodland environment. I also enjoy the fact that Dave also has a YouTube Channel that you can find videos on everything he talks about in this book to better knowledge yourself and learn in different ways.
  2. The Peterson Field Guides – I myself have the books about Edible Wild Plants, Medicinal Plants, and Herbs, and Eastern Trees.  These field guides are small and easy to bring with into the woods to help identify different plants and trees. Having a knowledge of what the earth can provide for you can help turn an emergency into a minor setback. The books are full of information to help identify and use each plant you come across.
  3. SAS Survival Handbook For Any Climate In Any Situation – This book is FULL of information not only about camping but also survival. The information in this book can keep you alive and comfortable in most cases and I must say the amount of knowledge I have gained from this book is by far worth every penny. I feel everyone should own a copy of the SAS Survival Handbook just to be ready for whatever might come your way.
  4. The Survival Handbook Essential Skills For Outdoor Adventure – When it comes to a good end table read this book fits the bill. There are a ton of big graphic pictures in this book that not only illustrate the knowledge being shared but it always goes over a wide variety of different topics to help spread your knowledge and keeps you wanting to learn more. I myself flip through the pages, find a picture that catches my eye and learn something new or something I might not have thought of before.  For everyone that is just starting in outdoor adventures, this is a good book that will keep your attention and help you learn.
  5. Survive and Thrive a Pocket Guide To Wilderness Safety Skills – This is a children’s book all about camping and wildlife. This book has a lot of very basic camping knowledge and fun activities you can do while spending your days in the woods. It is a very fun book to read to kids and helps get ideas for different snacks and activities. Even though this book is aimed at a much younger reader there is still a lot of knowledge in this book and being so easy to read I find myself going through it as a refresher from time to time.

Knowledge is power, and by knowledging yourself you will be able to better perform different tasks and skill that not only make your time in the woods safer but also a ton more fun!

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