The WannaBlow, Criss-Cross Fire Construction & Other Fire Foibles
Little Fire Starting Story From the time I set the woods on fire in second grade, to the many times I froze my bumba off during survival treks, trying to […]
Traditional Technologies & Wilderness Crafts
Subsistence Shore Fishing in Western Washington: Lakes, Rivers & Saltwater Piers
This article is based on the Conservation College subsistence fishing curriculum developed by Master Fisherman, Lead Instructor & Wild Chef Charlie Borrowman. Join us at our next fishing workshop, usually […]
How to Pit Cook in the Outdoors
Unsurprisingly, many people have never even heard of pit cooking. Getting our food that close to dirt is enough to make anyone uncomfortable, and with the invention of indoor ovens, […]
How to Make an Appalachian Potato Basket
Basketry is a fascinating and ancient traditional craft that dates back to the earliest humans. Our ancestors created and developed the basket as a method for transporting food, water, children, […]
Nikki van Schyndel “Becoming Wild” Book Review
Book Review by Patrick Wiley When I received an unexpected email detailing the upcoming release of Nikki van Schyndel’s Becoming Wild, I was ecstatic. I had heard about the book […]
Traditional Big Game Bow & Arrow Making Instructions
A. Harvest the Wood Quickie Bow: Start with a relatively straight section of sapling or branch that is as free as possible from knots and side branches, and without any […]
Bow Drill Fire Making Kits – Directions, Tips, Tricks, Pitfalls & Advice
Making traditional fire by friction, or “rubbing two sticks together” is real, and it’s more than a fun project: it’s also the most reliable way to start a fire once […]
The Best Way To Make A Fire: Bed, Pillow & Blanket plus Criss-Cross Construction
I almost made my own fire-making video, but then I saw this great video by Peter Kummerfeldt who does a superb job explaining the best way to make a fire […]
How to Cook Over a Campfire
It’s hard to think of anything that embodies the spirit of the great outdoors more than a good old-fashioned campfire under the stars. They provide us with warmth, light, and […]
Top Native Plants To Learn for Herbal Medicine: Part 1 of 2
The following plants which are native to the Pacific Northwest either 1) are scientifically proven to effectively treat health issues, or 2) I have personally tested to work. However, many […]
Good-Bye Debris Hut, Hello to the Best Emergency Wilderness Survival Sheltering System: The Wolf College BIVOUAC BED & EAGLE’S NEST plus bivy bag recommendations
Since the founding of the Boy Scouts and to the era of modern of survival schools, the “debris hut” has enjoyed great popularity. Unfortunately, the debris hut is not a practical design for emergency […]
First Monthly Outdoor Skills Newsletter publishes March 4th, 2013
Sign up for our First Tuesday of the Month Outdoor Skills Newsletter The newsletter contains deals and information not available anywhere else! Examples include: – Where to find current hot wildlife […]