Britt Edelen

How to

Tie Strong Knots

Whether you’re setting up a campsite or tying cargo to the top of your car, it’s always good to know a few strong knots to make things more secure. No matter what situation you find yourself in, practicing some usefu...

How to

Tie an Adjustable Knot

Whether you’re making a friendship bracelet or needing to tie your camping gear to a post, knowing how to make an adjustable knot is a really useful skill. While there are dozens of different kinds of adjustable knots,...

How to Quickly Create and Modify a Square Knot

An easy-to-follow guide to folding and modifying square knotsNeed a quick knot that’ll hold fast? Look no further than the square knot, also called the reef knot! The square knot is a simple beginner’s knot with man...

How to

Use an Analog Watch as a Compass

If you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness or adrift at sea with no way to tell which direction you're traveling, an analog watch (or any similar clock face) can act as a compass and help you get your bearings. All...

How to

Start a Fire with Sticks

If you're camping or hiking and discover you have forgotten the matches, knowing how to start a fire with sticks is a very useful skill. The bow drill and hand drill method are well-established fire-starting techniques t...

How to

Set Up a Tent

We've all been there: It's getting dark, it's cold, a wind's coming up, and you've got to sleep outside tonight. Pretty much the worst time ever to forget the tent instructions. Before you hike into the woods, you better...

How to

Identify Flint

Flint, also known as chert, is a type of sedimentary rock that has many uses. It was once commonly used to form rudimentary tools like knives and spear tips. Flint is often used by outdoorsmen to create sparks for a fire...

How to

Tie a Bowline Knot

The bowline is the "King of Knots" in the boating world. http://www.animatedknots.com/bowlineThe bowline, pronounced 'Bowlin' not 'bow-line', is secure, easy to make and unties easily even after being subjected to a hea...

How to

Tie a Quick Release Knot (Highwayman's Hitch)

Quick-release knots are those that you can undo with a simple tug, and the highwayman’s hitch is perhaps the most popular one. It looks like a complicated, secure knot when it’s tied, but a quick tug and it comes com...

How to

Make a Tent

When you're on a camping trip, it's helpful to know how to build a shelter just in case you forgot to pack a tent. While many people check the weather ahead of time before heading into the wilderness, weather has a tende...

How to

Tie a Clove Hitch Knot

The clove hitch knot is fairly simple, and it can be useful for securing ropes to trees, posts, or poles. One benefit of this knot is it's fairly easy to adjust the length of the rope if you need to. It's often used in b...

How to

Survive in the Desert

When driving or walking through the desert, the road seems endless. There is nothing around for miles and miles. Nothing but desert plants, dry sand, and heat. If your car should break down, and you find yourself stuck i...

How to

Survive in the Woods

Getting lost in the woods can be a scary situation. Whether you've gotten lost on a hike, your car broke down on a wilderness road, or any other reason, surviving in the woods is difficult, but it can be done. You need ...

How to

Use a Fire Starter

Almost anyone who has tried to start a fire without matches or a lighter has quickly discovered just how hard it can be. You can rub two sticks together for a long time and still end up with nothing. Luckily, small and e...

How to

Tie a Loop Knot

It's easy to create a loop on the end of a thread or line for a loop knot. These types of knots are particularly useful in fishing for attaching the hook to the line. Some common loop knots you can try are the Kreh loop ...

How to

Build a Campfire

Summertime isn’t complete without a good ole campfire, but how do you build one? Starting a campfire at a campground or in backcountry is a breeze once you know which sticks to grab and how to arrange them. That’s wh...

How to

Start a Fire With Different Types of Kindling

Fire is essential for survival, cooking and warmth. Usually a fire is started with thin or split wood kindling but there are many other kinds of tinder and kindling that can be used if you're in a scrape and cannot locat...

How to

Live on a Deserted Island

The worst possible thing has happened: you find yourself stranded on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere and are a victim of circumstance. Is all hope lost? Is there is absolutely no hope of being rescued? On the ...

How to

Survive in the Jungle

Getting lost in the jungle can happen when you least expect it. Maybe you wandered off of a trail and got disoriented, or maybe your plane made a crash landing in the middle of the jungle. Either way, your main prioritie...

How to

Prevent Heel Lift in Hiking Boots

If you find yourself getting painful blisters on the backs of your heels when you hike, it is probably caused by heel lift in your boots. When your heel lifts up from the sole, even slightly, it creates friction against ...