Not long after humans first became conscious of themselves and their environment, I can only assume that they discovered that water … Read entire article »

I usually don’t like gear lists. It’s kinda like listing your criteria for a spouse — things you might like I may not like. It’s a very personal thing. Then again, it’s not bad to start with something, and here’s something. … Read entire article »

Look at it this way. Critters in the wild are doing what comes naturally. We are intruders in their space, and a leave-no-trace wilderness ethic requires that not only do we leave no trace physically, we should not leave any behavioral trace either. … Read entire article »

After a long day of paddling, traveling, portaging, slogging through muskeg, or whatever it is that takes you from Point A to Point B, the tendency is to select the first piece of ground that’s level, throw down the tent and get some shut-eye. This is a bad idea. … Read entire article »

The Leave No Trace crew has spent thousands of dollars, hours, and miles putting out the message of low-impact camping. Here’s a basic primer, straight from their website, with our own additions … Read entire article »

Primitive Fire Starting There is something magical about making fire from materials other than the standard Bic lighter or Ohio Blue-Tips. … Read entire article »

Fire by Friction If you want to understand how fire by friction works, … Read entire article »