Rosehips, rich in vitamin C, will remedy scurvy. Poplar, red cedar, elm, and willow are preferable for friction fires. If stuck on a flat, shelterless desert, dig a shallow pit (east-west) to lie in; even a few feet can result in a 100-degree temperature change. This is the sort of information outdoor enthusiasts will find in Bradford Angier's classic guide to survival in the wilderness. Divided into four parts (sustenance, warmth, orientation, safety), How To Stay Alive in the Woods is packed with woodcraft tips and age-old tricks--and it's packable as well, so don't leave home without it.
First published in 1881, this complete, illustrated guide reveals how to catch everything from tigers and bears to squirrels and mice, and offers general advice on camping and hiking in the woods. Among the treasures within are easy-to-follow plans for building dozens of traps; full directions for the building of shanties and log cabins, and boats and canoes; hints on food and cooking utensils; instructions for the curing and tanning of fur skins; and much, much more.
“On the 31st of August, 1846, I left Concord in Massachusetts for Bangor and the backwoods of Maine”—thus begins The Maine Woods, the evocative story of Thoreau’s journeys through a familiar yet untouched land. As he explores Mt. Katahdin (an Indian word meaning “highest land”), Lake Chesuncook, the Allagash River, and the East Branch of the Penobscot, Thoreau muses on his own vulnerability and the humility engendered by his solitude in the wilderness.
Northern Home & Cottage is an invaluable resource for entertaining, decorating and planning a home in the North—whether it’s a turn-of-the-century Victorian, a cabin in the woods or a state-of-the-art condo.
Make your own planes that are better than any you could buy. Shop-crafted wooden versions accommodate extra-thick blades of superior tool steel that stay sharp longer. They can have the smallest possible throat opening, greatly enhancing the tools performance on figured woods. And they can be designed to fit your hand comfortably these shapes can be held several ways, which is helpful for different tasks.
