Claire Dean
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turn. In real life, running away rarely solves anything, but spending time in the woods and finding strength and calmness in nature often does. No matter how big my problems or great my sorrow, a solitary walk in the forest has always eased my pain. I’ve found peace, inspiration, and joy while hiking alongside rivers and through the trees. I’ve become stronger and more self- sufficient by learning which plants are edible, and how to make shelter and fire. There’s a magical dichotomy about the woods: It’s only when you lose yourself that you find what you’re looking for. The first thing to do when hiking alone in the woods is to tell someone where you’re going! It’s vital that someone knows where you are. After that, be prepared for all kinds of weather, take food and drink, and always be aware of your surroundings. Still, things can happen. It’s both empowering and just plain smart to have some survival skills. Shelter--The first line of defense against the elements are the clothes on your back. Wear layers and keep them dry. The second is a shelter. There are many different kinds, including snow caves, wigwams, and lean-tos. The girls of Girlwood construct an Opposing Lean-To. To construct a lean-to: 1. Find two trees approximately 12 to 18 feet apart with forked branches about 8 to 10 feet high. Place a long ridgepole (a strong, 4-inch wide branch that can span the distance between the trees) into the forked branches. 2. Lay the support poles at a 45 degree angle against the ridgepole, about 2 feet apart. You can do this on only one side (as shown above) or on both sides. Be sure to leave room for a door. 3. Weave smaller poles (branches) across the support poles (perpendicular) for more support. 4. Cover the entire shelter with a foot or more of bark, moss, boughs, any materials you can find, layering from bottom to top. The more “insulation” you put on, the more secure and warm your shelter will be! Fire-- After you’ve constructed a shelter, the next most important protection tool is fire. The smartest thing would be to ALWAYS take waterproof matches, or flint and steel, with you into the wilderness. However, if you don’t have them, you can make a fire with a hand drill or a bow and drill. This is EXTREMELY difficult, though, with persistence, you can spark be as successful as Polly in sparking a flame. To make fire with a bow and drill: 1. First, collect tinder. This is anything that will easily burn, like dry grasses and twigs. Make a “nest” of tinder and set aside. 2. Make a bow. This is a 3 to 4 foot long branch of hardwood (like oak or fir) that is slightly curved, with a fork on one end. Take a shoelace or string and tie it securely to one end of the bow, then pull it taut across the forked end and secure it with a knot. 3. Make a spindle. This is a smooth, straight piece of dry softwood (like cottonwood, aspen or willow). If possible, carve both ends until they’re round. 4. Cup and fireboard. The fireboard is where the spindle will turn and the coal will start. It should be about 15 inches long, fairly thick, and 2 inches wide. If it’s already got an indentation, great! That’s where the spindle will go. The cup holds the spindle in place on top while it’s turned by the bow. It can be anything from a rock to a piece of hardwood. 4. Making fire: The fireboard must have a notch for the spindle to sit in. You can carve this with a knife or rock or sharp piece of wood. Twist the bow string around the spindle. The line should be so tight, the spindle feels like it wants to pop out. Put the spindle into the notch on the fireboard, hold the cup over the top of the spindle. Hold the bow in your right hand, the cup in the left, and apply gentle downward pressure on the spindle. Then begin to saw back and forth, slowly and evenly, with the bow. Continue sawing (this could take a while!) until you see smoke, then check for a coal. Don’t blow on it! Just wave your hand gently to give it oxygen. Then carefully transfer your coal to your tinder of dry grasses, and with a little more fanning, you should get a flame! Good luck.
Girlwood learn from Polly’s grandmother that the forest offers a wealth of nourishing plants, roots, berries, and seeds. For more information on some native plants, along with their edible and medicinal qualities, see my Edible Plants page. Water is far more important than food. If you need to drink from a stream, pond, or lake, be aware that these water sources are prone to viruses and giardia. If at all possible, filter or boil your water! The girls of Girlwood heat rocks in the fire, then drop them into a hollowed out piece of hardwood to boil out the impurities. |
Wilderness Survival
