Storm Damage - Ripped by a Texas Thunder Boomer

What little spare time that's left over while working a full-time job and two part-time jobs has just been used up. We had a recent Central Texas thunder boomer and the high winds ripped up the roof on my garage. The repairs have been started but are sure eating up my free time. My posts may be sporadic for a while due to having to make some necessary repairs. There goes a big chunk of my emergency fund!

We had some of the normal tree damage also that comes along with the stormy weather and now it's time to drag out the chainsaw and go to work.

Got a big limb touching the ground also that will need to be removed. There was a funnel cloud sighted in my area but don't really know if that was the problem here. Probably just some straight line wind damage.

Got some additional bushcraft posts planned but will need to work on those after the repairs are completed.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Javelinas

Some of the best survival tactics are learned by observing nature’s creatures. Many have learned to survive predators, harsh weather conditions and scarce food and water supplies by developing innate survival skills. With fossils records that go back over 20 million years, the javelina (collared peccary, Pecari angulatus) is an example of one of nature’s true survivors.

Texas has more javelinas than any other state and although many people think of them as a wild form of domestic swine, they actually belong to the order of “hoofed” animals. They are very social animals and generally live in herds that range from fifteen to twenty animals in a group. The size of their herd depends greatly upon the available amount of food in their area. They have also learned to survive the dry, hot conditions of Central and South Texas by feeding primarily on prickly pear cactus. They can go almost a week without water if there are plenty of cacti available to eat.

Javelinas also practice a very unique survival technique. This technique is called the “scatter response”. When they sense danger, they will scatter randomly in all directions. The “scatter response” is typical of most herding animals and will quite often confuse predators and make it extremely difficult to single out or attack any one individual. Many times this response will allow all the individuals in a herd to escape a predator without any harm.

Javelinas are strictly herbivores and contrary to some popular myths do not eat snakes, birds, eggs or any other type of animal. They generally stand about two feet tall and are about three feet in length and weigh anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds. They make an excellent survival food source and can be quite tasty when cooked.

Got BBQ?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Upside Down

Sometimes the easiest way to survive is to avoid situations where you may find yourself upside down.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Knowing the Hazards - Snakes

It is important to know the hazards that are present in your environment. Information and knowledge of those hazards will play an important part in your survival. One of the hazards you will face are the dangers posed by local wildlife. In Texas, that means snakes.

Texas has a larger variety of snakes than any other state in the U.S. Most of the snakes in Texas are of a beneficial variety and work to control the population of rodents, lizards and other snakes.

While the vast majority of snakes in Texas are non-poisonous to humans, there are some very poisonous snakes in Texas that should be treated with respect and a great deal of caution.

Knowledge of the hazards you may face in a survival situation is an important part of being prepared and may be critical for your survival.

Here are some links to help you be more knowledgeable about the snakes in Texas:

Snakes in Central Texas

List of Texas Venomous Snakes

Texas Snake Pictures

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Kit Essentials - The Solar Powered Firestarter

Being able to light tinder in order to start a fire will always be necessary in a survival situation. Having a fire brings comfort levels back to normal. You can use a fire to provide heat for warmth, cooking food or water purification. A fire will also provide a certain amount of light at night and may offer some protection from nature's creatures that roam the dark hours of the night. If you have plenty of sunlight available, a simple magnifying glass will afford you a great way to start a fire.

Simple magnifying glasses can be found in small and large sizes that allow them to fit in your pocket or a small survival kit. The smaller variety that have plastic lenses are very lightweight and don't take up much room in your kit. They will usually require more intense sunlight to get your tender started. The swivel on most of the pocket versions will also allow you to attach a lanyard for easier carrying to help you avoid losing it.

The medium-sized and larger versions usually have lenses that are glass and will more effectively concentrate sunlight when lighting tender. This will make it easier for you to start your tinder when you need to make a fire. They still fit easily in your pocket or survival kit but do weigh slightly more in most cases.

In a pinch, you could even use magnifying eyeglasses that are used for reading, etc. If you end up in a survival situation, it's always a good idea to have an alternate method for starting a fire.

Got solar-powered firestarter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - High Places

Got friends in high places?

Staying way above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Texas Persimmon

There are a great many things in Texas that will bite, sting, poke or poison you, but there are also a wide variety of resources that are available to help you survive. Being knowledgeable about what they are and where they occur will give you additional peace of mind in a survival situation. Texas persimmon is one such resource.

Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana Scheele Ebenaceae) is a member of the persimmon family and is very common in central and south Texas. It is a shrub or small tree that produces a round, fleshy fruit (up to about 1 inch in diameter) that is black and sweet when ripe. The ripe fruit is edible but contains quite a few seeds. Ripe fruit can usually be found beginning in late July and continuing into September. The fruit of the Texas persimmon was used as a food source, for its medicinal qualities and it's wood to manufacture tools. It was used extensively by many Native Americans. Texas persimmon is widespread and abundant throughout the plains region of South Texas. It is fairly common and is found growing wild in many brushy areas and hillsides all the way from Houston to the Big Bend area in West Texas. It can also be found as far south as Northeastern Mexico.

Its extremely tough wood was used by many Native Americans to make tools of various kinds, mainly for digging purposes. Tools made from persimmon wood have been identified in the Hinds Cave located near the Pecos River and the Shumla Cave on the Rio Grande River. The bark is smooth and gray and can often be seen peeling off in very thin pieces. The peeling bark can also be used as an excellent source of tinder for making fire. It is extremely drought tolerant and resistant to most diseases. It is also an excellent landscape plant for those who wish to plant Texas persimmons in their yard. The heart wood of Texas persimmon, which is found sometimes in larger trunks, is black and similar to another of its cousins, ebony (Diospyros ebenum). A large, mature Texas persimmon can reach heights of 25 to 30 feet or more. An example of a very tall Texas persimmon can be seen in the above picture.

Cherokees used the fruit and its astringent qualities to treat sores in the throat and mouth and also chewed the bark of the Texas persimmon to help alleviate heartburn. There is some evidence that seems to indicate that Comanches also commonly ate raw persimmons. One caution about the ripe fruit needs to be mentioned. The ripe fruit was also used as a dye to stain leather goods and will leave a brownish yellow stain on your hands and teeth. The stain on your hands will look like they have been swabbed with iodine. It's one of those "Been there and done that!" type of things. The picture above shows a fruit that was smashed on a small rock showing the dark pulp of a ripened fruit. Being ever so clever, a stick was used to smash it!

The fruit of Texas persimmon is similar to that of its eastern cousin, Diospyros virginiana. The main difference is that the Texas persimmon is a lot darker (almost black in color), more astringent and even more acidic than its relative. The fruits are found on the female trees and are edible once they have ripened. They have a very sweet flavor which is quite similar to prunes (please no "Will they keep you regular?" jokes!). The fruit of Texas persimmon is also a good source of vitamin A. The fruits are also consumed by a large variety of wildlife, including a number of birds and small animals.

Knowing your environment and your available resources can be a critical in a survival situation.

Got edible wild fruit?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Knowing Your Environment

One of the basic items involved in the practice of bushcraft is having a comprehensive knowledge of your environment. Your basic knowledge about the different areas of your environment will be a critical factor in your survival. This will be true in most cases involving both rural and urban settings. Knowing the resources in your area that are able to provide you with the basics for survival (shelter, water and food) will allow you to handle adverse survival conditions with confidence. Our environment includes a wide range of things that can have an adverse effect on our ability to survive.

One of the main environmental factors that will affect your survival is the weather. Your requirements for survival will be quite different in an extremely cold environment versus the needs dictated by a hot and dry climate. Your shelter needs can vary drastically in different types of environments and the availability of food and water can be similarly affected by the specific weather conditions in your area. It won’t hurt your chances of survival to become knowledgeable about the weather in your area and be prepared to properly deal with it.

Another major environmental factor that will affect your survival is the terrain. A rugged, mountainous terrain will be a lot more difficult to traverse than a gentle rolling plain. The type of terrain in your area will greatly affect the time and effort required for travel. Whether you are traveling on foot or by mechanical means (car, truck etc.), the ability to travel safely and efficiently may be hindered by the terrain. Travel may be required in order to find food and water resources or it may be needed to find suitable shelter.

The basic philosophy of bushcraft has always involved making use of your available resources. A proper and thorough knowledge of your environment will allow you to utilize the benefits and maximize the resources in your environment whether they are natural or man-made.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Polishing Your Blade

Keeping your knife cleaned and polished is an important part of properly caring for your blade. Like any good tool you should always find some time to perform the proper maintenance. Here’s an old trick for keeping that special blade cleaned and polished.

There are a lot of good products on the market that can help you do this but they can be expensive. If you are on a tight budget, one of the best ways to clean and polish your blade is to use wood ashes. Just place some wood ashes on a soft cloth or rag and polish away. Wood ashes will remove stains without scratching the blade. You can even use wood ashes on your blade instead of oils or waxes to keep the blade nice and shiny while you have it stored. Simply wrap it in a soft cloth after cleaning it with wood ashes and it’s ready to store. There’ll be no scratches on your blade and your knife can be simply wiped off when you need to use it.

Got a use for wood ashes?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Mountain Souvenir

While hiking in the mountains of New Mexico, Little RW (my grandson) found a deer antler in the woods and has made it a personal souvenir of his mountain hike. The kid has a keen eye for a 5 year old! He said it was good to have it in order to fight off the bears. It seems he’s also quite fearless.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Surviving Your Fears - Spiders and Snakes

Fear of the unknown is a common problem and one that may cause irrational behavior on our part because we generally are afraid of those things which we don't understand. One of the more common fears that people have trouble dealing with is their fear of spiders and snakes. Many people are deathly afraid of these simple creatures who usually go out of their way to avoid contact with people. This is true despite the fact that most people may go their entire lives without ever having a single dangerous encounter with either one of these creatures. Many people make ever effort possible to avoid any type of situation where they may come into contact with any type of snake or spider and may end up limiting their enjoyment of outdoor activities or may needlessly put themselves at risk.

While there are some spiders and snakes out there that can cause you a lot of grief if you have the wrong type of encounter with them, the vast majority are also beneficial. Many spiders are beneficial in reducing the insect population and can be of benefit to your gardening efforts. Even the common rat snake works hard to keep the population of disease carrying rodents at manageable levels.

Here is a weblink with information on the four deadly snakes found in America:

The-Venomous-Snakes-of-North-America

Our own sense of survival often leads us to pass our own fear of spiders and snakes to our children or others and thus perpetuate many myths about these simple creatures that may be inaccurate or untrue. This is due mainly to ignorance on our part about these creatures caused by a lack of knowledge and an understanding of the role they play in nature. There are very few types of snakes and spiders that are actually poisonous and the vast majority of snakes and spiders are quite harmless. Many are an important part of our natural environment. Learning which snakes and spiders are dangerous and how to avoid them will allow you to be better prepared to handle a chance encounter with these creatures.

Developing an understanding of these creatures and a firm knowledge about the role they play in our natural environment is probably one of the easiest ways for you to combat a fear of spiders and snakes. Even though a great many people allow their fear of spiders and snakes to affect them in a negative manner, making sure you are knowledgeable about spiders and snakes will help you to deal with them in a positive manner.

Developing a little respect for these creatures in nature can go a long way in helping you defeat a fear of spiders and snakes.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Turbulent Waters

Turbulent Waters

In a survival situation, always avoid trying to cross turbulent waters. Seek another way around them because turbulent waters are difficult if not impossible to cross safely.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - Snakes and Spiders

Nature can be a harsh teacher if you are not aware of your surroundings. Being aware of your surroundings and what's around you is one of the most important things you can do to avoid problems. Stepping on a snake could be an unpleasant experience and being bitten could be even worse. Nature will usually leave a sign of impending danger if you know what to look for when you are out and about. One of the things you can watch for and be aware of when avoiding snakes is to be on the lookout for snake skins. This is a tell-tale sign that there is a snake in the area. You may not see them but they know you are there. A small amount of awareness on your part can help you avoid an unpleasant encounter.

While there are only a few really dangerous spiders you need to watch out for, tripping over a spider or walking face first into a huge web may not exactly be in your plans. The last thing you may want is a big old yard spider sitting on your nose.

You might also want to exercise a little caution if you happen to like walking barefoot in the grass. Your toes could wind up meeting a big hairy spider in the grass.

Being aware of your surroundings, knowing the possible dangers that are out there and doing your best to avoid a chance encounter with some of nature's nastiest critters will give you the advantage.

Awareness of your surroundings and the possible threats to you is a critical factor in your survival.

Keeping a garden hoe or shovel handy doesn't hurt either!

Got spiders and snakes?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Nopalitos

Hunger is a great motivator in a survival situation! I was hungry and needed food now. Thus, I set out on a journey to find sustenance for my body. Armed only with my trusty blade, I went in search of food...in my own backyard!

Nopal means cactus in Spanish and nopales is the term used to describe the "cactus pad". The term nopalitos refers to the cactus pads when they have been prepared for use as a food item. This cactus (Nopal in Spanish) is a member of the Cactaceae family (genus Opuntia) and is most likely a plant native to Mexico which was grown and harvested as a vegetable long before the Spanish arrived. This cactus is currently grown and harvested throughout much of Mexico. It is also grown in large portions of the United States and is also found in a number of areas in the Mediterranean, probably as a result of plants brought back to Spain by early Spanish explorers. The ones pictured here are the spineless variety.

Nopalitos can also be grown easily as a container plant for those people living in an urban environment. They can also be grown in your yard and even the spineless variety can scare some people. All they see is cactus and say, "No way am I going anywhere near that stuff."

The nopales cactus pads are usually harvested starting in the spring and the harvest continues well into late summer. The best nopales for harvesting are thin pads that are roughly the size of your palm. This will give you pads with good texture and flavor. You will probably need to wear heavy gloves when harvesting the pads, especially if you aren’t using the spineless variety. The cactus pad will usually snap off quite easily or you can speed up the process by using a large knife to sever the stem of the pad.

Watch out for the large thorns (spines) and the small hairy thorns (glochids) and take adequate precautions to keep your hands protected if you aren’t using the spineless variety. The spines on the spineless variety are quite soft and they can be easily removed with your fingertips although glochids may be present on the fruit (pears). Preparing the pads is fairly simple. Just remove the thorns and the "eyes" with a vegetable peeler, a paring knife or you can simply cut them out when dicing the cactus pad. You will need to wash the pads with water and trim off any bad spots.

You can slice the pads into thin strips for frying or pan grilling, cut them up into chunks for soups or stews, or leave them whole for grilling on your pit or campfire. If you want to get creative, you can batter the strips and deep fry them.

Nopalitos is very similar to bell pepper but has a firmer texture and is not as bitter, though it can be a little slimy (similar to okra) if it is overcooked. If you rinse it well in a colander after you have diced it, you will be able to wash off most of the slime. Fresh nopales can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks if it is kept tightly wrapped to prevent it from drying out.

Here’s a link to a simple recipe using nopalitos:

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/nopalitos_with_tomatoes_and_onions/

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can just throw a cactus pad on the ground and let it grow all by itself.

Nopalitos also has a beneficial quality also that makes it an important food item. It seems to help in keeping blood sugar levels well regulated and this could be an important factor, especially for people with diabetes. It also has a high moisture content.

It also makes a great breakfast dish when cooked with scrambled eggs and butter. Just add a little salsa!

Nopalitos can also be found in cans or jars at many grocery stores that specialize in Mexican foods or you can find it fresh if you’ve got some growing in your backyard.

A good survivalist knows which foods occur naturally in his area and are available as sustenance in a survival situation.

Got cactus?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Fly Fishing on the Rio Pueblo

Rio Pueblo

While on a recent trip to new Mexico, there was some time to practice one of my favorite survival skills,,,fishing. Although a recent snow had the streams running faster than normal, we managed to catch a few trout. Although they were only about 10 to 12 inches, a couple of these trout would make a decent meal for one person. These trout were caught with worms dug up by the cabin. The trout in this area seem to have a preference for worms.

Here are some pics of the trout that were caught while fly fishing the Rio Pueblo. We did some fly fishing in a place called La Punta Canyon but didn't have any luck catching any fish there.

It was lucky that there were fishing licenses sold by the ski resort which was only about 10 miles away from the area. This saved me from having to make a long trip down off the mountain into the nearest town. The state of New Mexico has some very reasonable rates on their fishing licenses also that won't break your wallet.

Always like to practice my survival skills!

Got trout?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - River at Night

River at Night

While there may be nice places to settle down and make camp for the night, the bank of a river or stream may not be the best place to do so. Always make sure to find high ground where you can be in a safe position if flash flooding happens to occur during the night when your attention span may not be at its best.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - Passive Solar Lighting

Passive Solar Lighting

One of the easiest ways to save money is by using passive solar lighting. Too many times we enclose ourselves in homes that provide shelter but then need an additional means to provide the light required to see what we are doing. By using the light from the sun, you can have the additional light required for your home to allow you to accomplish simple tasks during the day.

It won't help you very much when it gets dark as the sun goes down but it may help you from flipping that switch during the day that will cause the little dial on your utility meter to spin like crazy.

Got passive solar lighting?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - River Cane

River Cane

Native Americans were the ultimate survivalists and always made use of those things in nature that were both plentiful and offered the widest range of uses to enhance and support their lifestyles. River cane (Arundinaria gigantea) is one such resource that was used by many Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, Choctaw and Caddo, for a multitude of purposes. This, along with its shorter cousin, switch cane (aka, Tecta) which normally reaches heights of about 10 feet, were the only native bamboos found in America. River cane originally had a very wide range but extensive clearing for farming purposes and the raising of livestock have actually brought this native form of bamboo close to extinction, even though it is a non-invasive species of bamboo.

River cane and its smaller relative, switch cane, are the largest members of the grass family that are native to the United States. They both thrive in bottomlands near rivers and streams but river cane grows much taller than switch cane (the shorter variety) and can reach heights of 20 feet or more. River cane is currently found in 23 states and switch cane is found in 14 of these states. River cane is found as far west as the state of Texas and as far north as the state of New York. Its primary distribution is in the Southern and Southeastern United States.

Here is a link to a map of the distribution of river cane in the various states:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARGI

Native Americans used river cane as a resource for all aspects of their lives. Since the principal locations for living were along rivers and streams which provide a source for water, the abundance of river cane in these areas made river cane a widely used resource by Native Americans. They made arrows that were both strong and lightweight and were feared by early Spanish explorers because of their effectiveness against their breastplate armor. They were also used to make excellent spears, knives and longer hollowed-out sections of river cane were also used to make blowguns. The very nature of river cane made it easily worked for a wide range of items in addition to making weapons.

Here is a link to an excellent pictorial with instructions on how to straighten river cane when making arrow shafts:

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000071;p=0

River cane was also used to weave baskets and is one of the harder of the indigenous Native American skills to acquire. Hollow sections of river cane were also used to make storage containers for spices, seeds, and water. Its resistance to fire when green also allowed it to be used as a cooking vessel.Green river cane does not readily burn and was used to make a grill of sorts that could be used over a fire for the smoking of meat and fish. The cooking of food by stuffing it into sections of green cane and placing these sections over a fire is a common practice that is currently used in many Asian countries to this day.

Here is a link to making river cane baskets:

http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/basketry/rivercane.html

River cane not only provided poles for fishing and the construction of fishing weirs, it was also used in the construction of shelters as well. It was also very useful in that in provided a building and construction material that could be found in virtually identical sizes that were uniform in their nature. This aided greatly in the construction of numerous items from weapons to shelter and included such items as flutes and pipes.

River cane was also used to make torches to provide light. Large river cane torches were sometimes constructed to provide light for ceremonies or other festivities. Hollow sections of river cane were also used by some Native Americans to harvest pitch from pine trees and stored it in the hollow sections of river cane as well.

Here is a link on how to make a torch from river cane:

http://www.primitive.org/lighting.htm

River cane also provided a food source as well as its other uses. The young shoots of river cane, which are similar to bamboo shoots, were also used in salads and stews and the nutritional value of river cane seeds rivaled that of both wheat and rice. River cane thus provided all the necessary elements for survival. From its use as a food source to its use as a tool or making weapons and traps it was truly a multi-use item for survival.

A good survivalist knows that being familiar with all the available resources in your area can be critical to your survival.

Got river cane?

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Shadows on the Mountains

Shadows on the Mountains

There currently seems to be signs appearing everywhere that indicate an increasing need to be prepared. It is like a shadow on the mountains that makes the light disappear and only leaves darkness in its path.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Skills - Fishing - Part One

Fishing is not only a great recreational sport but it can also be a great survival skill. Unless you live in or get stuck in a desert or semi-arid region, you will probably be able to find a water source that can provide an excellent source of food if you have some basic fishing skills.

One of the basic skills when it comes to fishing is finding and using the appropriate bait. You will need something to entice those fish to bite your hook. Now you could carry a few artificial plastic worms or some simple jigs in your survival kit that could serve the same purpose but using natural forms of bait may mean the difference between catching a fish and just getting your hook wet.

Things like worms, grasshoppers and grubs make excellent bait for your hook and are generally easy to find in a survival situation. Using natural baits will usually increase your success rate of catching fish. Many times an abundance of natural food sources may make it more difficult to catch fish using artificial types of bait. Using natural food sources can make a difference in the amount of fish you may be able to catch.

Even though fishing is a great recreational activity, in a survival situation you will need to do more "catching" than fishing.

Got worms for bait?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style

The basic thing about Central Texas is there aren’t many real “wilderness” areas. This makes it hard for the average person to practice bushcraft skills to a serious degree. Central Texas for the most part is basically urban sprawl except for the few regions that are privately owned. There are still quite a few open land areas made up of large farms and ranches (500+ acres) that are located in the area but most of these privately owned lands are not open to the public. There is even an extremely large ranch of about 10,000+ acres fairly close that Mrs. RW has gone dove and pheasant hunting on a few times with some of her lady friends.

Now it would be virtually impossible to get lost in Central Texas. The main reason for this is that you'd never be more than a few miles from someone’s house or a major highway in the area. If you did happen to wander off onto a large farm or ranch, chances are you’d be found by an irate landowner with a big gun long before a rescue team would be necessary. You might wind up needing an ambulance though.

There are quite a few places for the public to go camping and hiking, most of which are quite beautiful and natural areas. These are mostly state or national parks and usually have large numbers of people taking advantage of the services they provide. There’s not a lot of privacy in these types of settings. Many of these parks offer primitive areas for you to camp and hike but even in this case you’d still have a hard time getting lost. There are some private hunting leases available in most areas but this can be a very expensive way to practice your bushcraft skills.

The weather in Central Texas is usually quite mild and generally has a moderate amount of rainfall. There are some pretty severe thunderstorms occasionally with the possibility of lightning being one of the major threats. With the thunderstorms, there is also a definite possibility of flash floods but if you can reach higher ground this shouldn’t be a problem, just don’t make camp too close to a river or stream. The winters are mostly cold and wet with an occasional ice storm that could make travel difficult. One word of caution, it is hotter than hell in the summer and extremely humid almost year round. It’s not a desert but at times it sure seems like one. Plan to sweat a lot!

The main problems you run into in South Central Texas is the creepy crawling critters (snakes and spiders) and the plant life (poison oak and cactus). There aren't any real dangerous types of wildlife, although you might run into a feral hog that could be pretty aggressive.

There are some things you should know about the different areas of the state, as far as bushcraft is concerned, and many of the basic techniques are the same no matter where you are. Some of these items will be covered in future posts.

The good thing about Central Texas is that you usually aren’t that far from the two basic items required for survival by most Texans…beer and barbeque!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Following the Mountain Stream - Part Three

In my efforts to determine if following a mountain stream downhill is actually a good thing to do when you may become lost on a mountain, several actual truths became very evident in attempting this course of action. Surprisingly enough, a little common sense would have sufficed to realize the truth of the matter concerning this action in a survival situation.

First, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Small creeks and streams don't run in a straight line (see pic above) and they quite literally have more curves than a mountain road. So be prepared to do a lot more walking. This will also take extra time and effort on your part.

Second, not all streams and creeks empty into a river at their journey's end. Some disappear or just plain fizzle out and become little more than a trickle of water. Dave and Cody from the show Dual Survival found this out in the Valley of the Volcanoes when the stream they were following literally disappeared into the ground.

Third, streams don't always lead you back to civilization. In this case, the mountain stream led to a nice valley but no discernible signs of civilization (Duh! RW...why do you think they call it a wilderness area).

There were a couple of things gained in the effort. The temperatures were a lot more moderate at a lower elevation and the trees were sparser...which would make it easier for a rescue team to spot you and a lot easier to bear the more moderate temperatures with an improvised shelter. There was also a lot more open ground to build a signal fire without the risk of starting a major forest fire. In the pic below, you can see the nice valley that the stream eventually led to on its way down the mountain.

Following a mountain stream is a great way to enjoy nature but may not be your best course of action if you're lost. Use common sense survival techniques that will serve you a lot better if you become lost. These simply involve being prepared ahead of time.

First, make sure someone else knows where you are going and when you will be back. Second, have a set of good maps and a thorough knowledge of the area you will be traveling in before you set out. Third, have a means of communication (RW, Jr. had his hand-held radio on the trip and one back at the cabin so we could stay in touch with the others) that is effective for the type of terrain where you are traveling. Fourth, don't forget a good survival kit...just in case!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Choosing a Hydraulic Log Splitter

Fireplaces are great as an alternate heat source but require a lot of wood and you may want to consider using a hydraulic log splitter to ease that burden. You could also use it to create an alternate source of income. When you are purchasing a hydraulic log splitter, you must keep in mind the following considerations: service, loading, horsepower, the capacity in tons, and the maintenance requirements.

A hydraulic log splitter is a good investment for those who own a fireplace and need to cut wood in large quantities. They are especially useful to those who may want to operate a business cutting wood to make extra money. If you have such a business, then you are quite familiar with the long hours of back-breaking work involved. A hydraulic log splitter can do everything you need in a smaller amount of time and save you a great deal of labor in the process. These powerful machines not only chop and split firewood, but they can also be used to prepare pieces of wood for other types of wood-working projects that could generate additional income for you.

Considerations for Choosing a Hydraulic Log Splitter

1.) Service

Your first priority in selecting a hydraulic log splitter is to understand how it would be of service to you. Select a high-end model if you will be using the splitter to split logs that will be used for commercial building projects. If you need to chop firewood, a cheaper model is a better option for you and will save you money. Don’t be fooled by fancy extras on certain models, especially when they don’t suit your needs.

2.) Loading

Another consideration when using a hydraulic log splitter is how the logs are loaded. There are two ways to do this, either horizontally or vertically. When you do your work on a sloped terrain, a log splitter that loads horizontally will be the better choice for you. This type also ensures your safety and makes it easier to operate.

3.) Horsepower

One of the things you’ll need to know is the rated horsepower capacity of the splitter. If it will be used for chopping and splitting wood, you can settle on one with about five to eight horsepower. If you need to use this for commercial or business purposes, you will probably need to purchase one with a larger horsepower capacity and a much stronger engine. This is mainly for safety purposes. Overusing a weak log splitter with a heavy load can create unsafe working conditions, cause damage to the machine and may also overheat or burn up the engine.

4.) Capacity in Tons

The capacity in tons of your log splitter should also be part of your consideration. A hydraulic log splitter’s ton capacity is generally in the range of one to twenty-five tons of splitting power. One to five ton capacity is capable of splitting logs and wood to be used in a fireplace. One that ranges from five to twenty-five ton capacity or higher is better suited for professional or business use.

5.) Maintenance Requirements

Before making your purchase, inquire about the maintenance requirements of the hydraulic log splitter. It is advisable to purchase one that is self-lubricating and can maintain itself without too much time and effort on your part. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with constant sharpening of the blades because regular usage makes them dull rapidly.

Always remember to follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions in handling and using your log splitter. You should also learn from a professional operator or one who has experience with this machine before handling one yourself. It also won’t hurt to do a little extra research about hydraulic log splitters in order to have as much information about their use as possible.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Power Outage Preparations

Preparations for a power outage need to cover the disruption caused by both short term and long term power outages. A power outage can be either a major inconvenience or a serious threat to you and your family. Some power outages can be expected, such as those caused by thunderstorms, blizzards, tornados or hurricanes, while other types of power outages due to a failure of infrastructure can happen suddenly and be totally unexpected. A power outage can be as little as a few minutes or as long as several weeks.

Our dependence on the current power system can actually become a life-threatening event in our modern society. The advent of all-electric homes that are totally dependent upon grid power could have devastating effects upon you or your family. If you don’t have some source of power that is independent of grid power, you may find yourself in a position where you have no light and no heat. If a blizzard or thunderstorm were to down power lines, it may take days or even weeks to make repairs. In an era of high-tech gadgets, people can actually die in their own homes due to a power outage if they are not prepared.

There are quite a few things that you will be missing during a power outage. The first one is light. If you don’t like stumbling around in the dark, you will need a good light source. The second thing you will miss is heat. If it’s cold outside or you get wet from a downpour, you will need some way to stay warm or to get dry. You will also need some way to cook meals or be prepared to eat your food cold. You will need a safe and reliable means to cook. You may even need water if the municipal water system malfunctions during the power outage.

Most of the items you will need for a short term power outage are already in your home. Things like extra clothes, blankets, food and water, a good first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency radio are all items you should already have on hand. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you are ahead of the game but if not you will need an alternate source for heating and cooking. A propane heater or propane-powered camp stove will help to solve this problem. Just remember to always have proper ventilation when using these items. An outdoor grill can be used for cooking but remember why they call it an outdoor grill. Use it outdoors and never use it indoors!

For long term power outages, you may want to consider a small portable generator that can be used to run power to a freezer or refrigerator. Make sure you have plenty of power cords available to run from your generator that will handle the load and extra fuel for the generator. During short term power outages, just refrain from accessing items in your refrigerator or freezer until needed to help them maintain their temperatures. You can also cover them with blankets, quilts, etc. to provide a little extra insulation. You should also make sure you have some type of hand-crank or solar charger for your cell phone or access to a land-line in order to maintain communications. Be prepared to leave if a power outage looks like it is going to become a serious long term event.

Just remember to keep a clear head, remain calm and don’t take unnecessary risks when using your heating or cooking equipment during a power outage.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

The Survival Arsenal - The Pistol, the Shotgun and the Rifle

There are countless firearms available at very reasonable prices, both new and used, even in today’s market. Certain factors will need to be addressed in order to maximize the benefit of your survival arsenal while minimizing its cost. Creating a survival arsenal can be a daunting task, especially if you are on a tight budget. Trying to figure out what and how many firearms you need is quite simple if you approach the problem with a little common sense, knowledge of your own limitations and a firm realization of the intended purpose of your survival arsenal.

There are three basic purposes for any type of firearm. These are for protection purposes, hunting and for sport. While shooting firearms can be quite enjoyable as a sport, in a survival situation you will want to conserve your ammunition as much as possible and limit the amount of wear and tear on your firearm. That leaves us with the other two basic uses…protection and hunting. These two main uses, protection and hunting, should factor prominently into any decision you make when building a survival arsenal.

The next factor that enters into the equation is who will be using the firearm and what their abilities are and their level of training. Most men have no problem shooting a 12 gauge pump shotgun with 000 buck, a high-powered rifle or a pistol with a lot of kick. The bigger question here is can your wife, your daughter or your son or other family member use the necessary firearm with confidence if you aren’t there to do the shooting for them. Don’t sell the ladies, the senior citizens or the younger ones short when it comes to using firearms. With the right training, knowledge and firearm, other family members can build skills that may become equal to or even greater than your own. Knowledge and training in the use of the firearms in your survival arsenal will be a critical factor.

The next factor to consider when building a survival arsenal is the reliability of the firearm you will be using and the ease of maintenance and repair for that particular weapon. In a survival situation, there may not be a gunsmith available and you may have to rely on your own ability to effect repairs. If you don’t have sufficient knowledge to effectively do minor repairs on a particular firearm, you may need to consider a different one. A rifle you can’t fix or easily repair, if it becomes non-functional, will be little more than a club in a defensive situation and may wind up being just so many spare parts. Firearms that are reliable and have ease of maintenance and repair should be ranked high on the list for your survival arsenal.

In addition to the factors above, you will need to consider the limitations of certain firearms and their practical uses when it comes down to your two basic needs in any type of survival situation…protection and hunting. Firearms generally have a usefulness often designated by their range. The pistol is usually considered most appropriate at close range, the shotgun at intermediate distances and the rifle for long range purposes. Any survival arsenal should include at least one firearm that will be appropriate for the range and distances its use may involve.

With the exception of certain pistols, the .357 magnum being one of those exceptions, most pistols are basically for protective purposes at close ranges and do not figure in as significant weapons for use in hunting. Pistols of the right caliber can be effective hunting weapons but require a great deal of skill and expertise on the part of the user to be effective. The question here is do you go with a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol? Most revolvers are very reliable and many have been proven trustworthy in the field by either the military or law enforcement over an extended period of time. The same can also be said for many semi-auto pistols as well. In the majority of cases, a good revolver in a common caliber will be sufficient for the average person. More experienced shooters may find the same to be equally true of semi-auto pistols. In this regard, it therefore becomes more of a personal choice and will be dependent mainly upon your shooting skills and your knowledge of the firearm when making a choice between a revolver and a semi-auto pistol for your survival arsenal.

Shotguns are probably the best weapon ever designed for the combination of hunting and protection which is only limited by their effectiveness at short or intermediate distances. A good shotgun alone can satisfy the two basic needs in a survival situation and there are many used and new models available that are relatively low cost. This makes them another must have firearm for your survival arsenal. Your main choices in this area will be the single shot, pump action or the semi-auto shotgun in either of the more common 12, 20 or .410 gauges. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Single shot shotguns usually have very reliable and simple mechanical actions but lack the extended round capability of a pump action or semi-auto shotgun. Once again your skills and expertise should be considered when deciding which type will be your best choice. With a wide range of ammunition available that is suitable for both hunting and protection, shotguns are quite simply a must have for any survival arsenal.

A good rifle should be your next consideration. Most rifles are designed to be highly effective at longer ranges and can be effectively used for hunting purposes but can also be used for protection. Some rifles are more specifically designed for use in hunting and this will probably be one of its more important uses on a day to day basis in a survival situation. Their effectiveness will generally be limited only by the proficiency and skill of the user. When it comes to choosing a rifle for your survival arsenal, the choices become harder. Bolt action, lever action or semi-auto rifles can all be good choices for your survival arsenal and the only real limitation here is your budget, your knowledge of the firearm and your proficiency. There are many reasonably priced surplus military rifles available and a great number of very reliable lever action rifles as well. Most semi-auto rifles tend to be a little more costly but there are still bargains that can be found if you keep an eye out for them. Hunting will be one of the critical uses for your rifle in a survival situation and their long range capability will factor significantly into the protection factor as well. A rifle that is both reliable and trustworthy will afford you the necessary means for providing value in both hunting and protection at longer ranges that will be a necessary part of any survival arsenal.

Remember to keep in mind that ammunition supplies may become critical and you will probably need to keep your choices for firearms in your survival arsenal based on the more common and readily available calibers and types of ammunition. This will vary depending upon the type of firearm and your budget restraints. The more common calibers will be easier to procure in a survival situation than specialized ammunition that may end up being extremely difficult to find, if not impossible. If your budget allows, a pistol, a shotgun and a rifle that is suitable for use by each member of your family will form a solid foundation for a survival arsenal.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker