How to make a hiking pole

 A hiking pole is a versatile tool that can quickly become indispensable. 

Camping and hiking through the wilderness has challenges that must be experienced to be fully realized. 

A hiking pole can be used for a multitude of tasks. A few example are; hanging your jacket, pole vaulting over creeks, a cooking pot hanger, a shelter support, for pushing a canoe through a shallow marsh or river and as a crude fishing pole. Heck, you can even use it as a monopod for a camera. 

They are simple to make and fun to use.  

Please do not cut live trees to make your hiking pole.

The one in this video was dead stand. 

Always test the pole prior to working on it. Make sure it can bear your weight. It would be relatively embarrassing if you pole vaulted across a creek only to end up swimming.  

Have fun and keep on hiking!

 

How to build a survival shelter

 Survival skills are an absolute must if you travel in the back country. The "what if" scenario is always following you as you wander or paddle. 

For example; what if you are traveling through the woods on a motorized ATV and it breaks down? You're a long way in, there is no way of walking out. Cell coverage is non existent, your cell phone has just become an expensive flashlight.  

Day-light is fading and the cool night air is pushing down on the land. The reality of being stuck in the woods sinks into your mind as you grapple with the situation. 

It's time to get to work. Set your mind free by using your hands. 

Your first task is to build a shelter which will keep you from the elements and prevent you from getting hypothermia. The shelter shown in this video is the only shelter which is easy to build by hand and it will keep you from freezing to death. 

The most important thing to do is stay calm, don't panic. A mistake out here can cost you dearly. Build your shelter and accept the situation for what it is. 

The chances of ever being in a situation such as this is remote, but if it should happen, it's better to be prepared then to be shivering in the dark as fear entwines your soul with its cold fingers.