Hugging the Canyon Wall

When the polar express heads into South Central Texas, RW, Jr. and myself found the best way to avoid the wind chill and frozen temperatures is to do a little day hiking in the canyons of Southern Arizona.  So we grabbed some gear and headed to southern Arizona and warmer temps for a few days.

We hiked about half a mile to a switchback , we then hiked about half a mile up on the switchback (with an elevation gain of approximately 400 feet) to get to a trail that ran along the ridge of the canyon wall. Temperature was a comfortable 69 degrees. Total elevation ranged from 3500 to 4000 feet along the trail.

Not exactly the "Throne of the Mountain King" but it was as close as we could find.

There was a great view of the canyon floor which had a stream fed by mountain snow melt and numerous rock formations visible along the entire length of the trail. RW, Jr. was testing some new gear prior to an upcoming trip to Colorado that he has planned. I was also checking out a new Camelbak Rim Runner Hydration Backpack that was a recent addition to my hiking gear. All our gear worked great and the only problem was a zipper that snagged on the lining of a pocket on RW, Jr.’s jacket. He did manage to un-snag it after a good deal of effort on his part.

RW, Jr. also took some great video along the trail while he was doing his “Les Stroud” camera thing. This was a little difficult on the narrow trail. Google had a problem with loading the video but I will try to post it at a later date. Put in another pic instead.

Took a rest break along the trail and enjoyed the view for a while.

The incredible views and warm temperatures made for a very pleasant and enjoyable day hike. We set a very leisurely pace and hiked a little less than five miles along the ridge of the canyon.

Got canyon day hike?

As usual, RW was....

Staying way above the water line!

Riverwalker

Immersion Hypothermia - Death at Fifty Degrees

There are two basic types of hypothermia that can cause distinct problems in a survival scenario. While exposure hypothermia is the type most people are familiar with, immersion hypothermia can be just as deadly, if not more so. This is because the heat loss from your body is 25 times as great when you are wet. It also doesn't need to be freezing cold outside because it only takes a drop of about twenty degrees in your core body temperature to bring on the first stages of hypothermia.

With fall weather approaching, many streams, rivers and lakes will become considerably cooler and pose a greater risk of hypothermia. Should you find yourself in a position where you should accidentally slip or fall into a body of water that is much cooler than the ambient temperature of the air, you may expose yourself to the risks of hypothermia. Water temperatures of fifty degrees Fahrenheit can quickly put you in a situation where hypothermia may become a very real problem.

When hiking or trekking through wilderness areas, make sure you cross rivers and streams in a safe manner so as to avoid accidentally becoming soaked. Remember also that as little as two feet of swiftly moving water can cause you to lose your footing and get swept away in the current. Some of the other effects of immersion hypothermia are the initial “cold shock” and the failure of muscles in your extremities which can hamper your efforts to swim or remove yourself from the water. Loss of consciousness can soon follow.

If you do become soaked, you need to keep your head above water and get out of the water as soon as possible and start or begin efforts focused on warming your body to raise its core temperature. One of the most immediate dangers of immersion hypothermia is the possibility of drowning. As your body starts to shut down from the effects of hypothermia, there is a real possibility that you could lose consciousness and end up drowning. You can use hand or foot warmers placed in vital body areas such as the neck and shoulders, arm pits and groin area to help speed up the warming process. Your efforts should be focused in increasing your body’s core temperature first.

Using “H. E. L. P,” or the Heat Escape Lessening Posture can also help return your body’s core temperature to more normal levels.   To assume the HELP position, cross your legs so they touch each other as much as possible. Then pull your knees toward your chest, and cross your arms tightly over your chest. The main idea is to assume a posture that allows as much of your body to touch other parts of your body. This will help you retain as much body warmth as possible.

Always try to avoid circumstances that may put you at risk. Even on a relatively warm day the possibility of immersion hypothermia is a very real danger,

Got warming posture?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Getting Lost in the Woods - Prevention and Resolution

Got that big backpacking trip coming up? Take a second to read this and learn how to help prevent getting lost in the woods and what to do if you get lost.

Don’t pull an “Into the Wild”

Have you ever read Into the Wild? I wouldn't recommend doing anything that kid did. It is your life and safety at risk. Use your resources and think smart. If you choose not to prepare (please prepare) then look for help. If that kid had checked out the terrain, like any smart camper or explore should do, he would have found his salvation about a mile away down the river from the broken down bus he was found in.

Get on the move

Don’t stay in one spot. Staying in one spot will, literally, not get you anywhere.  Only by moving are you going to get yourself back to where you want to be.

Track yourself

 Chances are you weren't on a trail. There should be signs that you have been through there. Footprints, disturbed terrain, snapped branches, etc. On a prevention note, take a leaf out of Hansel and Gretel’s book and leave a trail. Not of bread crumbs or garbage but just occasionally take the time to mark your way. Roll a rock into an open area on at an odd angle or lay a thick stick against a tree.

Get to a high spot

If there is an elevated point available, get to higher ground so that you can better see your surroundings. This will allow you to see whether or not there are barriers in any particular direction, land marks, or perhaps even your destination.

Get Loud

If you are separated from your group, get loud. If you are concerned about wild life, put your worries at rest. Animals are deterred by noise. This can do nothing but help your situation.

Check the map

Bring a topographic map and a good compass with you. Be sure to mark your vehicles location on it, your camp site and the location of any roads if they are not on there already.

GPS

Use a GPS or even a light weight mini GPS tracker. A GPS will give you an overview of your surrounding area. A GPS tracker can attach to whatever you want. Attach it to your truck or something in your campsite. If you get lost switch on your GPS tracker and it will guide you straight back to your vehicle.

Follow a river

Depending on how serious your situation is, if you are very far out and need to find civilization, follow a river. There is always life along a river and a road (or even town) will eventually meet up with it. If we are looking at a potentially long haul, it has the means to sustain you. If you get desperate, it has water and food, whether it is fish or plants or whatever critters that go to the river. 

Thanks go out to Dave for an excellent guest post.

Dave Burr is a freelance writer for Spyville. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking in the Seven Devils with his kids or reading in his backyard. 

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - The Spotted Ground Squirrel

The spotted ground squirrel is a familiar inhabitant that is seen frequently in different areas of West Texas but can also be found in other dry, sandy areas of the state. This ground-dwelling squirrel normally lives in long, shallow burrows in the sand.  A slight mound of sand, usually hidden by clumps of vegetation, is often the only indication of the entrance to their burrows. The average weight of a spotted ground squirrel is between 4 and 5 ounces and they can be as long as 8 or 9 inches if you include the tail. 

These squirrels are quite small and very quick. They are easily missed if you aren't watching carefully because their color blends in with the sand perfectly. These ground-dwelling squirrels are easily identified by the scattered and numerous white spots that can be seen on their backs. The ground squirrel in the above picture was spotted by Lil’ RW, my grandson, who is pretty good at spotting little critters.

One of the primary things you should always be aware of when practicing bushcraft is the type of plants and animals that live and are found in your area. There will be fewer surprises from nature when you do.

Got ground squirrels?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Book Review and Giveaway - The Pocket Guide to Wild Mushrooms

Foraging for edible foods in the wild can be an important skill that everyone should learn in order to be more self-reliant. Unfortunately, many food items found in the wild can be deadly if you lack the proper knowledge about the items you are foraging. Wild mushrooms are one such item that require a good guide in order to determine if the mushrooms you find are safe to eat.

In The Pocket Guide to Wild Mushrooms by Pelle Holmberg and Hans Marklund, the authors have created a condensed version of their larger book on foraging for mushrooms. This smaller and portable version contains a guide to many of the more common mushrooms found in the wild. It includes excellent pictures of the various types of edible mushrooms that are generally found in the wild. Cutaway views of the mushrooms are also included in order to help you further properly identify your wild mushrooms.

Amazingly, this is one pocket guide that actually fits in your pocket, even if it is a little tight. This makes it a lot easier to keep handy when you are out foraging for edible mushrooms. The guide also offers some helpful tips on cleaning and cooking your mushrooms properly. There is also a small reference section for more extensive information on mushrooms in the wild along with a handy index section for quick reference.

The only drawback of this guide is there isn't very extensive information on where the different edible mushrooms can be found. The guide does reference basic regions and areas where edible mushrooms are found but you may need a larger and more detailed guide for specific varieties of edible mushrooms in your area. This guide does include a very extensive section on beginner mushrooms that can help to get you started in the proper foraging of edible wild mushrooms.

Pockets guides are not meant to be a definite source and while not all inclusive, this is an excellent pocket guide for both beginners and experienced foragers to use when hunting edible wild mushrooms.

The Giveaway

A lucky reader will also win a free copy of The Pocket Guide to Wild Mushrooms direct from the publisher. Just leave a comment about your experience (or lack of) in foraging for mushrooms or other edible food items in the wild. If commenting anonymously,  please leave an identifier in your comment. A winner will be chosen at random from the comments left on this post. The winner will be announced in a separate post on July 31st.

Got pocket guide for wild mushrooms?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Types of Knots - The Sheep Shank with Three Variations

The sheep shank is a type of knot that is traditionally used to shorten a rope, take up slack or provide additional security for a rope that may have a weakened or frayed area that could break. It is also easily tied in the middle of rope if it is important to keep items secured without untying your rope. This knot is not very stable but can be useful if needed to enhance the stability of a weakened or frayed rope without having to actually cut out the bad section. It’s important to remember that this type of knot may fail if it has too much load or too little load placed upon it.

A much more stable variety of the sheep shank commonly used is called the dog shank. This variant of the sheep shank is more stable and can help protect against spillage of your knot. The dog shank variant is made by passing the ends of your rope through the eyes formed at each end of the sheep shank to prevent the knot from spilling. The only problem with the dog shank knot is that the ends of your rope must be available to make this variant of the sheep shank.

There are also two additional variants of the sheep shank that I refer to as either a double hitch or triple hitch sheep shank depending upon the number of half hitches used to make your sheepshank. One distinct advantage of this variant is that it doesn't require the ends of your rope to be available. It also only requires only slightly more rope than the original variant of the sheep shank. This variant also provides more stability than the traditional sheep shank.

The traditional sheep shank is tied using a basic half hitch on the end that forms your loop. To tie a double or triple variant, just add an additional half hitch (or two) to make your sheep shank more secure and far less likely to spill.

Knot tying skills can serve as a vital part of your survival training. You can also use your knowledge of knots to find variants that can serve to expand your knowledge base in tying a variety of knots to handle a wide variety of circumstances you may experience.

Got knot variants?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips - Making Tracks

Many times hiking or wilderness trails are not very well marked. This makes it extremely easy to get off trail and out of sight. While many lost hikers are found within a relatively short distance of the trail or their camp, the process can be a lot simpler if you make some tracks first.

Wildlife doesn’t have the option of having a set of tracks that will distinguish them from one of their own kind. Humans on the other hand wear shoes on their feet that often have a distinct and easily recognizable pattern. This can make you easier to find if you become lost or wander off the trail in the wrong direction.

Merely leave a photo of the tread of whatever hiking shoe or boot you are wearing in your vehicle at the trailhead or back at camp. If you don’t have a photo, make an impression on a sheet of tin foil. You can also simply use some dirt in a box to leave an impression of you tracks. This will make it easier to find you, especially if others have been using the trail.

Along with a message of where you are headed and when you expect to be back, leaving a set of footprints behind will also help if someone needs to find you.

Got tracks?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Desert Survival Skills Practice - Part Two - Water, Wildlife and Plants

Wildlife and plants can be a good indication that water may be present in a desert environment. Water in a desert environment can be an extremely difficult item to locate. Many forms of wildlife would simply cease to exist if they were not skilled in finding sources of water. In addition to the presence of wildlife, plants can also be an indicator of recent rains or the presence of water nearby. 

Many plants in the desert will bloom profusely after a rain. This can be indication of recent rains or a source of water that is nearby. The desert willow is a prime example of this type of plant.

Many animals will also leave signs which indicate their presence. Tracks in a dry stream bed will often give away their presence in the area. Even though you may not see them, you will know they've been in the area.

The dry stream bed eventually entered a closed canyon after about a quarter of a mile. 

At the entrance there was also a creepy crawler in the form of an orange and black millipede. The orange and black coloration is a good indication that it may have had a nasty sting or might be toxic and it was left to proceed to whatever destination it had in mind.

Inside the closed canyon there were numerous pools of water that had collected in the depressions in the rock.

There was also another creepy crawler found in one of the pools. This was a small checkered garter snake. They are also quite harmless, unlike some of the other snakes that reside in the desert.

The dry stream bed which entered the closed canyon continued on for approximately a mile before reaching a fairly steep drop off of 25 to 30 feet which would have required some additional gear to proceed any further. This is commonly referred to as a pour-off.

The drop off fed into the waters of the Rio Grande. Although the river couldn't be seen from the vantage of our starting point, by following the dry stream bed we were eventually led to the river.

Plants and wildlife are always good indicators of your natural environment. When combined with local information and knowledge of the area in which you are traveling, you will be better equipped to handle the challenges of a natural environment.

Nature will always give you the signs you need to survive but you will need to be able to recognize them. 

Got desert skills?

Staying above the dry stream bed!

Riverwalker 

Desert Survival Skills Practice - Part One - Checking the Dry Stream Bed

Dry Stream Bed

Spent some time following a dry stream bed to see if we could locate some shallow pools of water. When checked, the ground was fairly moist just below the surface and several locals indicated that there had been some rain recently in the area. This indicated that there was an extremely good chance of finding a source of water nearby.

Being able to read the signs and then using them to find a source of water can be extremely critical to your ability to survive in a desert environment.

When you're spending some time in the desert, it's a good time to practicing your desert survival skills.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Types of Knots - The Figure Eight Knot

The figure eight knot is often used as a “stop” knot. Unlike an overhand knot that can be almost impossible to untie when it becomes jammed, a figure eight knot is more easily untied if it becomes jammed. Quite often a regular overhand knot will need to be cut in order to free your rope from the jam.

One of the more common uses for a figure eight knot is to attach a rope to a carabiner. This is usually done by tying a double figure eight knot with a loop. This is also one of the strongest knots you can tie when making a loop at the end of a rope. It can be further secured by tying a stop knot on the tag end of your rope.

Got knots?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Rattlebug Hide

It's that time of the year and those dangerous critters are out and about. 

Watch your step!

Got hat band?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Knots - The Tautline Hitch

One of the most useful knots in an outdoor environment is the tautline hitch. These knots are extremely handy in securing tarps or tents being used for shelter in an outdoor environment. Like most hitches, it is easily tied and untied (once the load is removed) but allows you to keep your tarp or tent secure, especially in windy conditions. Learning to tie and use a tautline hitch will help to keep your tent or tarp from becoming just another kite in the sky.  

The tautline hitch makes it easy to adjust the tension on lines being used to secure your shelter. It slides easily for adjustment and will then hold firm once a load has been placed on it. 

The tautline hitch works just as easily when taking down your shelter. Once the load has been removed, it can be moved easily to give you slack in the line which allows it to be untied easily.

Here is a link to a tutorial on how to tie a tautline hitch:

http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch/

Got survival knots?

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Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Knots: The Clove Hitch

A clove hitch is considered one of the four primary maritime knots and being able to tie one should be included in your survival skills.  The clove hitch is essentially two successive half-hitches around an object. It is simple to tie and can be used to secure the end of a rope to an object and is most effective when tied to a round (tree, post, etc.) or cylindrical-shaped object (pipe, barrel, etc.). 

It can also be easily tied in the middle of a rope in order to secure a line to a carabiner.

The clove hitch has another distinct advantage. With a little practice, it can be tied quite easily using only one hand. This is important should you suffer an injury that leaves you in the position of only having the use of one hand. When you can tie a clove hitch to the index finger of the hand you are using (right or left), you have mastered the ability to tie a clove hitch one-handed. 

A great resource for learning how to tie a variety of knots properly can be found at http://www.netknots.com/. They offer different sets of knot cards at a very reasonable price. The knot cards can be easily carried and used for reference purposes to insure your knots are being tied properly.

Got survival knots?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Mrs. RW's Potatoes from the Garden

Mrs. RW recently harvested a couple of rows of potatoes from the garden. She said it was comforting to know that she could at least grow a little something to eat. She usually grows a couple of different types of potatoes for variety. She's also starting to harvest a few ears of corn from the garden but usually tries to pick the ears of corn straight off the stalk before a meal.

Gardening is one of Mrs. RW's best survival skills. 

Got potatoes from the garden?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Prepping Skills - Being Prepared by Being Organized

The first stages of almost any type of crisis will be very chaotic. Chaos also breeds confusion and disorder. This is when an already bad situation will get worse. There will be numerous things that will need to be done quickly and efficiently if you are going to minimize the effects of a crisis. Time will become your enemy. Being organized will help you utilize your time more effectively.

There is a simple saying that can guide you in becoming more organized. It’s been around a long time and many people fail to realize the value of the rather simple guidelines it sets forth.

 “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

The last thing you will need to be doing in a crisis is conducting a search and recovery mission in your own home and most probably in the dark. It’s a lot simpler to designate space for needed items in advance and keep them there when not in use. You can develop the habit of going to that location to retrieve them and in a crisis your actions will become almost automatic. This will save valuable time in a crisis.

Even organized chaos is preferable to the disorder and confusion that can occur if you aren’t properly organized. It can also be applied to all areas of your prepping efforts. A properly organized BOB will be more efficient in most cases, cover a wider range of needs and perhaps be somewhat lighter in many cases. A properly organized system of food storage and rotation will help to eliminate needless waste, will save you money and be vastly more efficient. An organized plan for getting all family members together in a crisis will help to minimize the confusion. The time to get organized is before a crisis happens or be prepared for the confusion and disorder that will occur.

How do your organization skills “stack up”?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - Using Bones for Survival

Deer Mandibles

Recycling was an everyday part of the lives of most Native Americans. They knew the value of their resources and seldom let anything go to waste. They quickly realized this importance and knew that resources could sometimes become limited. As a result, they always sought a beneficial use for everything in their environment. They also became extraordinarily skillful in using bones for survival.

When resources are limited, it was important to find a beneficial use everything. Bones are one such resource. Bones have always played an important role in survival and were used in many different ways. Bones became a regular part of everyday life and were vital for survival.

One of the primary survival uses for bones was to make tools. Handles, hoes, scrapers and many other various tools were fashioned from bones. This was especially true in areas where other tool making materials such as wood or stone were scarce or non-existent.

Many times the bones that were used as tools required very little modification. Deer mandibles (see the above picture) were often used to make bone sickles by merely attaching a wooden handle. They were then used to harvest crops or to gather grasses for thatched roofs. Many times they were used “as is” to scrape the kernels from ears of corn.

Bones were also used for protection as well. Many times the mandibles were used to make crude but effective tomahawks for defensive purposes. Quite often, portions of the mandibles were used to make handles for stone knives. This was considered an important and very valuable skill.

Bones also played a significant role in ceremonial rites and spiritual beliefs. Besides being used to fashion tools for everyday use, elaborate necklaces and other jewelry were often fashioned out of these same bones. Bones also played an important role in their spiritual beliefs. Many times jaw bones were hung in their lodgings because it was believed that the spirits of these creatures would bring similar living creatures into the path of hunters in the tribe. 

Currently, the most common modern day use for deer mandibles is as a game management tool. They are mainly used to help determine the age of deer by examining the condition and wear of the teeth. This is a skill that requires extensive knowledge and practice in order to become proficient because there are a wide variety of factors involved.

Using bones for survival is just one more way in which resources can be utilized to a greater extent. No bones about it!

Got bones for survival?

Riverwalker

The Survival Trio - The Knife, the Stick, the Rock and One More

The right tools can create a solid foundation for your survival. They can be used for a variety of useful purposes and provide the basic elements to make your survival a lot easier. In fact, your survival may ultimately depend upon the tools you have available to make what is needed.

The Knife

The most basic and perhaps the most useful of any survival tool is a good knife. While there are basic items that can be used to fashion a cutting implement in a pinch, the presence of a good blade makes the entire process a lot simpler. There is a wide range of knives and cutting tools available but it’s important that you have it available for use when needed. If at all possible, a good blade of some form or type should be an absolute must for everyday carry. In essence, don’t leave home without it. A decent blade can also be used to give you an additional element of protection and will probably be used in more situations on a daily basis than any other type of tool.

The Stick

Not only is a stick a very useful tool, it can also be a building block to create shelter, a litter, a splint or numerous other items that may be needed in a survival situation. A good stick can be turned into a protection device by merely adding a point to one end or if it’s big enough it can be used as a club to provide an element of protection. The right type of stick can also be made into a bow or even a raft (if you have plenty of sticks available). A good stick is also extremely valuable in that it can offer assistance when walking or hiking. The right combination of sticks can also be used to make a fire.

The Rock

When you need to pound something and you don’t have a hammer, nothing beats the pure pounding ability of a good rock. If you got a bunch of rocks, things can be even better. They can be used to make a pot stand for your fire, an anchor for your tent or tarp, a wind shield for your fire or just about anything you can imagine. A small rock can even be used as a weight for your fishing line or ammo for a slingshot. A good rock can also make a very formidable weapon in the right circumstances.

One More

There is also one more item that should be considered an essential survival tool. That simple item is cordage. It can be used to bind a knife to your stick for hunting or protection, hold sticks together for a shelter or as an aid to building a raft.

While sticks, rocks and cordage are easily found in both an urban and a rural setting, a good knife or cutting tool may be a little more difficult to find in a wilderness setting. All of these simple items can afford you a wide variety of options to help you in your effort to survive.

Got tools for survival?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker