Woodland Base Camp - 2

 

Easter Monday and a bright, sunny day, even though the forecast was overcast and even perhaps some snow. I went to the woodlands to work on the Base Camp and to look around the area to see what else can be done there. 

I made the tarp tighter at the back, and due to the edges going over the poles now there is a 'dent' in the middle. In the past such a set-up can actually be useful because when it rains the water runs down the 'dent' and can be collected in a cup or container below. I made a survival-blanket 'kennel' for Sam, but he is rather a round-arse and soon got up to turn round and shed the blanket. Tried a poncho I had with me but not having used this for some time I forgot how small it is (Hobbit size) and it would not fit the shelter. 

I made a small fire-pit, some 12" diameter and 6" deep, which will make a start for a Dakota Fire-Pit if needed. This time I cut the eco fire-lighter in two, and used half the amount of cotton wool to start the fire. 

A cook-pot hung from a stick was used to boil the water for a coffee, but the above set-up was not really very steady, so I changed this afterwards. In the end I used two metal pieces to put the pot on over the fire.

The above seems to be the safest set-up here and the water boiled far quicker; the problem with the stake hung over the fire was that it needs better fixture at the back end because of the logs there, which I did not wish to move. Another idea is a tripod from which the pot hangs - a job for another time. (The metal bars were found near this site years ago.)

The area was cleared of debris scattered around, but left clear as a path around the back of the shelter. The dead wood was collected up and piled at the back so that the shelter cannot be seen so easily from the upper area, which is where the public could walk. The green tarp shows up clearly at this time of year, but the back could eventually be covered with a tarp left there and dead wood, leaves and pine-needles scattered over it.

The photo below shows some honeysuckle that grows in the area, which could be useful for vines and also some flowers are edible. 

There are fir-trees growing at the upper area which would supply green shoots for using as camo, but the area around the base-camp has little greenery so this may be used elsewhere. 

The photo below shows red markings on the fir-trees which suggests that the Forestry Commission may be looking to felling some of these soon, which may well cause a problem for a while. 

Looked at with this in mind I found an area the other side which has bluebells growing and is thus less dense; just by this is another area of small pines which could be used, and one further from the upper area.

This clear area is about 200 yards from the back of a skip-plant, but I have never seen anyone from there and the entrance is on the main road which is further away. The reason this area is not used by many is that the woodland next to it is private and fenced off, and there is no through-way. 

The above short video shows how I have tied various bits of equipment to the outside of the rucksack, which is why the molle-type is used because this is very easy to fix more stuff to. The following is in the rucksack, which also acts as my Bug-Out Bag since it is always ready for use, everything being checked and new stuff added each time I use it. I see no point whatever in keeping a Bug-Out Bag ready and never using it until the one-off which could happen. Better to use the equipment and see how it works. 

• Vango 2-season sleeping-bag.
• Small camo poncho.
• A milar-backed tarp.
• A tarp used as ground-sheet.
• A small camo-tarp.
• A Highlander bivvy-bag which is not breathable but can be used to stuff leaves and pine needles in to sleep on, or to keep equipment dry. I have used a small strap to take this down from 9" to 6" long.
• Cooking Pot/cup/spoon and fork set, and Stainless Steel Cup.
• Stainless Steel Water-Bottle/Plastic Water-Bottle.
• Shelter-building equipment/bungees/cordage/tent pegs.
• Emergency Camo-Blanket.
• Fire-Lighting Equipment - lighters/ferro-rods (2), cotton wool/eco-lighters.
• Knife/Silky Saw.
• Pine Sticks/Fat-Wood Stick.
• Phone-Charger/GPS/Batteries.
• Windproof Lighter.
• Small Maxpedition Pouch with spare GPS, electronic lighter, and another ferro-rod.

In the Leather Waistcoat (a good German make) I have a Zippo Lighter, Torch/Lamp/Signal Light/Alarm, two emergency camo-blankets, sun glasses, and video camera.

This set-up, when put together, holds enough to use for an emergency, and can be added to for a 'one-nighter' in the warmer weather, or added to for colder weather. You will notice how I have adhered to the Two-is-One:One-is-None saying which I believe originated with Ray Mears; this is that if you have two of something and lose one, you still have one, but if you have one and lose one you have none. This is especially true of fire-lighting equipment which is one of the most important things to carry at any time. You can find shelter or make shelter, but you will not find fire-lighting equipment easily. Water you may find but it may need boiling. I do have a number of tarps so this would not be a problem, and these can be used as 'blankets' too, and the bivvy-bag, though not breathable, can still be used as a blanket. 

The camo survival blankets are very neatly packet and go into the jacket pocket, but after use they will never go back that way. I have one stuffed into a small bag and this seems to be alright and has been used a number of times now. The one problem I find with Zippo Lighters is that they go dry very quickly, but I have since found that they do a very small key-chain fuel container which I may invest in soon. They are a good lighter but every one that I have had (all given to me) has the same problem - going dry very quickly. 

This molle-backpack is a medium size and it has areas where it can be added to, which may well be the best way to go about using a Bug-Out Bag. This is used as a 'Day-Sack' here but, as I said, it can be useful for a 'one-nighter' in the warmer months, and bits can be added to it for use in colder weather. It was not a dear one so I may in time get a better one, maybe a bit bigger and able to carry a bit more. The weight is not too heavy for me; I am 74 years old now and it seems light when travelling to the site, but gets a bit more cumbersome over the rough woodland areas. It does not have a very side belt, something which would be improved were this wider and padded, and I had to add the chest-straps myself which is not unusual in these. It is certainly very easy to use, but some improvements would make it easier.