bushcraft

Richard Proenneke in his snow covered cabin in the forest
Profiles

Going It Alone: The Story of Richard Proenneke

In the summer of 1968, a tiny fixed-wing bush plane landed on the glacially carved shore of upper twin lake in southwest Alaska. A middle-aged man stepped down from the plane and pulled a few canvas bags with him, then turned to wave goodbye to his friends still in the cockpit. Richard Proenneke watched as the aircraft shrank in the sky and slipped over the Neacola Mountains of the Aleutian range, its vanishing thrum replaced by a windy quiet, leaving him profoundly alone in the deep of Alaska. The nearest road was little more than a dream at hundreds of miles away, the nearest human probably farther. And that’s exactly the way dick, as he was known, wanted it.

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10 Min
axe lying on a stump
How-To's

Hafting an axe: DIY

Found in most any woodshed or canoe pack, or on the floorboard of most farm trucks, the axe is one of the most versatile tools available to the outdoors adventurer. A good axe can fell a tree, split kindling, hammer in a tent stake, butcher an animal, and, in the right hands, perform delicate tasks such as carving or food prep. Occasionally, Axe handles break, and replacing the handle can keep a well-worn axe-head in service and keep you from having to purchase a replacement. In this how we show you how to haft and axe

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10 Min
hand holding a small section of woven thin gauge rope tied in a loose knot
How-To's

How to Make Stinging Nettle Cordage

As one of the most prolific plants in the pacific northwest, nettles get a bad rap due to their tendency to sting. But if you can get over a couple of uncomfortable prickles and the itching that follows, they are one of the most useful plants around. Not only are they incredibly nutritious and hold many medicinal benefits, but they also are packed with strong fibers that allow for the creation of some of the best natural cordage. With the right cordage you can build shelter, make tools, fire, and many other survival necessities so get picking.

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10 Min